Pacific Winds 20260629
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
S. Korea, Japan agree to continue defense exchanges, cooperation, including in AI: Seoul
Yonhap 20260628
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260628002252315
Koizumi holds rare talks in Seoul with South Korean defense chief
Japan Times 20260628
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/28/japan/politics/shiinjiro-koizumi-japan-south-korea/
S. Korea lodges protest with China, Russia over entry of military aircraft into air defense zone
Yonhap 20260628
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260628003600315
China, Russia conduct 11th joint strategic air patrol; expert says drill shows systematic deployment and high combat readiness
GT 20260629
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1364646.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
‘Guam is just vulnerable’: Advocates share concerns about military buildup at hearing
PDN 20260628
https://www.guampdn.com/news/guam-is-just-vulnerable-advocates-share-concerns-about-military-buildup-at-hearing/article_7a503d81-d8a2-43e6-a99d-9242da6b4bfc.html
US snubs Guam at UN decolonization talks
GDP 20260628
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/us-snubs-guam-at-un-decolonization-talks/article_4c1f7b70-ee40-4ee6-bd60-5258c4e869eb.html
Airport serving as support, divert location for joint military exercise
GDP 20260628
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/airport-serving-as-support-divert-location-for-joint-military-exercise/article_257ee323-9fdc-428d-a662-09c34b2c5845.html
Island Waves
SOUTH KOREA HANDS OVER MODERN FARMING MACHINERIES TO BOOST RICE PROJECT
PNG Haus Bung 20260628
https://pnghausbung.com/south-korea-hands-over-mordern-farming-machineries-to-boost-rice-project/
Taiwan + SCS
Former Pentagon official urges monitoring of China activity east of Taiwan
Taiwan News 20260628
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6391049
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese navy vessels
Taiwan News 20260628
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6390952
10 Years After the South China Sea Arbitration: Will ASEAN Remain Silent?
The Diplomat 20260626
https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/10-years-after-the-south-china-sea-arbitration-will-asean-remain-silent/
Capabilities
Japan weighs deploying unmanned submarines in Pacific defense buildup
Japan Today 20260628
https://japantoday.com/category/national/japan-weighs-deploying-unmanned-submarines-in-pacific-defense-buildup
Has China Really Entered the Three-Carrier Era?
The Diplomat 20260627
https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/has-china-really-entered-the-three-carrier-era/
China leads in GPS-style, reconnaissance and anti-satellite abilities, US report says
SCMP 20260628
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3358415/china-leads-gps-style-reconnaissance-and-anti-satellite-abilities-us-report-says
Japan and South Korea scramble fighters in response to Chinese-Russian bomber patrol
SCMP 20260628
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3358641/japan-and-south-korea-scramble-fighters-response-chinese-russian-bomber-patrol
Japan, S. Korea agree to expand joint search-and-rescue drills
Kyodo 20260628
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/78815
What is the Chinese military thinking about the Iran war?
Defense One 20260628
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2026/06/what-chinese-military-thinking-about-iran-war/414482/