S. Korea denies report on government-level talks with Britain on aircraft carrier tech
SEOUL, March 22 (Yonhap) -- The arms procurement agency on Monday denied a media report that the South Korean and British governments have begun informal talks on technology cooperation for aircraft carriers.
On Monday, the Daily Telegraph reported that the country's "advanced systems and designs" could be exported to South Korea, as its trade officials "have begun informal discussions with Korean counterparts about areas of technology the country could be interested in," citing industry sources.
The systems and designs were developed by British defense firms -- Babcock, BAE Systems and Thales -- and they were to apply to its Queen Elizabeth-class vessels, it noted.
"It is not true that we began informal discussion with the British government on the issue," Col. Suh Yong-won, spokesperson of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), said.
Another official said that South Korea is working to build a 30,000-ton-class light aircraft carrier, but it is not yet at the stage of selecting firms.
"There could be discussions among South Korean and British companies who are to join the project, but no such governments-level discussions have been made up until now," he said.
Seoul seeks to secure a 30,000-ton-class light aircraft carrier with its own technology to boost the country's defense capabilities. Commissioned by the Navy, Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. worked on its conceptual design.
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
Ateez to drop new Japanese EP next week
-
S. Korea to resume issuing short-term travel visas, e-visas next month
-
Gov't to significantly increase international flights to meet travel demand
-
(2nd LD) BTS wins three Billboard Music Awards, marking 6th year to win an award
-
Crypto investor probed over allegedly visiting house of Terraform's CEO
-
S. Korea to send condolence delegation to UAE over death of president
-
(LEAD) Yoon, PPP lawmakers travel to Gwangju en masse to commemorate 1980 democracy uprising
-
(URGENT) N. Korea says fever symptoms reported among more than 18,000 people Thursday alone amid COVID-19 outbreak
-
(LEAD) Presidential secretary resigns amid controversy over remarks on homosexuality
-
(3rd LD) N. Korea reports 6 COVID-19 deaths amid 'explosive' spread of fever
-
S. Korea to resume issuing short-term travel visas, e-visas next month
-
(3rd LD) N. Korean missile or nuclear test very possible during Biden's Asia trip: Sullivan
-
(2nd LD) S. Korea, U.S. have 'plan B' ready in case of N.K. provocation during Biden's visit
-
Former President Moon scheduled to meet Biden in Seoul this weekend
-
Woman sentenced to 30 years in prison in nicotine-poisoning death of husband