The South Korean Ministry of Defense is piloting three different schedules for military personnel to use personal mobile devices on base. The plan tests two restricted windows, one limited, and a continuous, around-the-clock option. The effort is reported by KBS World as part of ongoing workplace digital policy modernization within the armed forces. The trial is designed to gauge how varying levels of access affect productivity, morale, and security, with the ultimate goal of selecting a single, army-wide policy after the evaluation period.
In the first proposed arrangement, service members would be allowed to use their phones in two short blocks: from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and again from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The second option would extend access more broadly, from 7:00 in the morning until 9:00 in the evening. The third and most permissive schedule would permit phone use without time restrictions, effectively around the clock. The military leadership will review results from the trial and decide which model best supports readiness, discipline, and operational security for the entire force.
At present, the policy permits mobile phone use during limited windows on weekdays and weekends. Specifically, personnel may access their devices from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. These timeframes are part of a broader effort to balance digital connectivity with mission-focused training and safeguarding sensitive information in a modern defense posture.
Meanwhile, a separate development in Korean defense and aerospace circles concerns collaboration between Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and the American aerospace giant Lockheed Martin. The two companies recently signed an expanded cooperation agreement aimed at advancing the modernization and marketing of the T-50 Golden Eagle trainer aircraft. The expanded deal envisions the potential export of up to 1,000 T-50 jets to partner nations, highlighting South Korea’s growing role in international defense markets and the strategic importance of trainer aircraft in building interoperable aircrew capabilities for allied forces. The agreement also signals a shared commitment to upgrading the aircraft’s systems and training capabilities to meet evolving requirements in global air forces.
As the T-50 program evolves, the aircraft is expected to align with a broad set of training needs beyond initial pilots, including simulated mission training and instructor development. Prospective use cases include training pipelines for allied air forces in North America, Europe, and other regions, along with educational projects that span Africa, Eastern Europe, and South America. The collaboration underscores a trend toward modular, export-friendly trainer platforms that can adapt to multiple air power curricula while maintaining high safety and performance standards. The development also reflects how international partnerships sustain technology transfer, joint exercises, and long-term maintenance support that can benefit defense sectors across North America and beyond.
Together, these initiatives illustrate how South Korea is balancing domestic needs for modern, secure digital access within the armed forces with a proactive role in global aviation and defense collaboration. The outcome of the phone-use trial will influence not only base-level routines and daily life for service members but also broader organizational policies tied to cybersecurity, data governance, and the effective integration of new communications tools in a high-stakes military environment. The T-50 program’s expansion demonstrates how joint ventures can extend the life and relevance of trainer aircraft, supporting a new generation of pilots who may later contribute to joint exercises and operations with allies across Canada, the United States, and other partner nations. [KBS World] [KAI] [Lockheed Martin]”