Before Pressing the Nuclear Button, Kim Jong-un Capture Operation: Could Korean Special Forces Do It? Compared with US Special Forces? | Defense Times CEO Ahn Seung-beom

핵버튼 누르기 전, 김정은 체포 작전.. 한국 특수부대도 가능할까? '미국 특수부대와 비교하면?" | 디펜스타임즈 안승범 대표
Watch on YouTube ↗  |  January 21, 2026 at 10:00  |  23:36  |  815 Money Talk (815머니톡)
Speakers
Ahn Seung-beom — CEO, Defense Times

Summary

Ahn Seung-beom, CEO of Defense Times, discusses the US operation to capture Maduro and compares it with a potential Korean decapitation operation against Kim Jong-un. He argues that Korea's special forces have capable personnel but lack key equipment such as modern firearms, reconnaissance drones, suicide drones, and special operations helicopters. The interview highlights procurement gaps in heavy-lift helicopters, AI-based kill web systems, and unmanned Black Hawk development. The main market implication is potential long-term demand for Korean defense equipment, military drones, and helicopter modernization, though timelines are slow.

  • US success reflects decades of special operations investment, experience, and integrated command.
  • Korea's special operations forces have capable personnel but lack modern equipment.
  • Man-portable reconnaissance and suicide drone procurement has been delayed.
  • Heavy-lift special operations helicopters like MH-47 are a key underdiscussed priority.
  • Old UH-60 upgrades are a budget-driven compromise with uncertain service life.
  • Korea trails the US and Israel in AI-based kill web systems.
  • Lockheed Martin has unveiled an unmanned Black Hawk concept for future special operations.
  • Korean defense procurement timelines remain long due to R&D, budget, and contractor issues.
Ideas
Ahn Seung-beom CEO, Defense Times 2:54
Korean special forces equipment procurement is starting
The US capture of Maduro shows that successful special operations require decades of investment in equipment, aviation, and command systems. Korea has capable special forces personnel, but the speaker says they lack modern firearms, reconnaissance drones, helicopters, and other gear, and that procurement is only beginning. This creates a long-term modernization demand backdrop for the Korean defense sector, although readiness is not yet sufficient.
Korean defense sector HIGH
Ahn Seung-beom CEO, Defense Times 4:38
Korea needs heavy-lift special operations helicopters
The Maduro operation highlights the value of large special operations mobility helicopters. The speaker says Korea has effectively selected the MH-47-class heavy-lift helicopter and the procurement project is near its final stage, yet Korean media focuses mostly on Black Hawks. He views heavy-lift special operations helicopters as a key missing capability for Korean penetration missions.
Heavy-lift special operations helicopters HIGH
Ahn Seung-beom CEO, Defense Times 9:33
Korean military drone procurement needs acceleration
The speaker argues that Korean special operations units need hand-launched reconnaissance drones to see near-field terrain and target points, and if necessary suicide drones for destruction. He notes the procurement process has been slow and was restarted in early January, but the systems are relatively small and inexpensive, so faster introduction is possible. This is a specific demand pocket for Korean military drone suppliers.
Korean military drone sector HIGH
Ahn Seung-beom CEO, Defense Times 18:24
Korea lags in AI kill web
The speaker says the US and Israel are far ahead in AI-based kill web and military command-and-control systems. Korea's adoption is complicated by domestic and foreign contractor conflicts, small R&D budgets, and conservative military verification, so practical deployment may take about a decade. This is a long-term defense AI theme, but near-term timelines are slow.
Defense AI/kill web HIGH
Ahn Seung-beom CEO, Defense Times 20:48
Lockheed develops unmanned Black Hawk concept
The speaker notes that Lockheed Martin, the maker of the Black Hawk, has unveiled an unmanned Black Hawk concept with a reconfigurable front section for troops. He sees this as part of a broader move toward unmanned special operations aviation, driven by pilot shortages and cost pressures, but cautions that it is a 2030 prototype and still requires long development.
LMT MED
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This 815 Money Talk (815머니톡) video, published January 21, 2026, features Ahn Seung-beom discussing Korean defense sector, Heavy-lift special operations helicopters, Korean military drone sector, Defense AI/kill web, LMT. 5 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Ahn Seung-beom  · Tickers: Korean defense sector, Heavy-lift special operations helicopters, Korean military drone sector, Defense AI/kill web, LMT