Key facts
- South Korea and Japan defense ministers will meet in Seoul this weekend.
- The meeting will focus on defense cooperation between the two nations.
- South Korea intends to deploy 'K-Lucas' suicide drones to enhance its unmanned weapons capabilities.
- These drones are based on the U.S. Lucas system, which itself is reverse-engineered from Iranian Shahed-136 drones.
- South Korea is scheduled to launch its fourth medium-sized satellite on July 9.
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back is set to meet with his Japanese counterpart in Seoul this weekend to discuss defense cooperation, amid escalating regional tensions and evolving warfare environments. This meeting follows a previous discussion in January and occurs as South Korea plans to bolster its unmanned weapons systems by fielding 'K-Lucas' suicide drones. These drones are described as the Korean version of the U.S. Lucas system, which is reportedly reverse-engineered from Iranian Shahed-136 drones, a weapon utilized in recent Middle East conflicts. The push to integrate these long-range self-destructive loitering munitions is part of South Korea's broader drone and counter-drone policy adaptation. In parallel, South Korea is preparing to launch its fourth medium-sized satellite on July 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The country is also hosting a symposium on global crises and the Korean Peninsula, featuring government officials and U.S. representatives.