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South Korea
South Korea
Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on South Korea, covering politics, economy, society, K-pop and Seoul’s relationships with North Korea, Japan, China and the United States.
Capital
Seoul
Head of State
Lee Jae-myung
Lee Jae-myung
Head of Government
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok
A street in Kamakura, in Japan’s Kanagawa prefecture, packed with tourists on December 17. Photo: Kyodo
Hong Kong tourism

Japan popular with Hong Kong travellers over Christmas, Harbin gaining appeal

Despite row with China, Japan remains popular with Hongkongers, with mainland cities such as Harbin and Yunnan gaining appeal.

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United States

Coupang’s massive data leak probe ignites US-Seoul diplomatic firestorm

Diplomacy

Opinion | Seoul holds the key to US-North Korea denuclearisation talks

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North Korea

US to grant Seoul exception on nuclear submarine fuel supply

Seoul to formalise right to build nuclear-powered submarines via Aukus-style waiver requiring approval from Trump and US Congress.

US Navy officers stand aboard a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine in Western Australia in February. Photo: AFP
North Korea

South Korean webtoon slammed for heroine resembling Kim Jong-un’s daughter Ju-ae

Critics say the romantic comedy ‘Princess Goes to School’ risks softening perceptions of North Korea’s regime.

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World of performing arts

Meet the Korean viral ‘dancing conductor’ who says he’s not actually dancing

Some conductors are visibly moved by the music, but Korean maestro Baek Yoon-hak takes that concept a step or two further.

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Hong Kong tourism

Japan loses out as Hongkongers pick South Korea, mainland China this Christmas

‘The main reason is that Japan has experienced several incidents … including bear attacks and earthquakes,’ Travel Industry Council says.

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Around 1,500 outbound tours are expected to depart the city this Christmas. Photo: Dickson Lee
Yoon Suk-yeol

Yoon’s ex-aides express ‘disbelief’ over South Korean martial law plan

The two aides’ testimonies give a rare insight into the thinking of the former president, who is charged with leading the ‘insurrection’.

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US-China trade war

Explainer | Will US-led ‘Pax Silica’ be a new dawn for the international AI supply chain?

Trump administration aims for deeper technology cooperation on new AI infrastructure with allies.

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Aviation accidents

A year after South Korea’s Jeju Air crash, the fight for truth continues

Families of the victims say they harbour deep mistrust over how the investigation into the disaster that killed 179 people has been handled.

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Lee Hyo-eun reacts outside a memorial altar for victims that includes her daughter, who died in last year’s Jeju Air plane crash at South Korea’s Muan International Airport. Photo: AFP
SCMP Highlights

Philippines’ Chinese tourism woes, police officer goes viral: 7 Asia highlights

From India’s anxiety over US-Pakistan deals to South Korea’s visa policy debate, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Chinese tourists from Beijing enjoying Cambugahay waterfalls in Siquijor, Central Visaya, Philippines. Photo: SCMP / James Wendlinger
Yoon Suk-yeol

South Korean politicians agree to Unification Church special probe in rare move

The ruling DPK has accepted the opposition’s proposal to appoint special prosecutors to look into the church’s political meddling and bribes.

SCMP Highlights

China-South Korea ties, Singapore’s ex-FM on Hong Kong: SCMP daily highlights

From why China-South Korea relations may be cooling to Beijing’s latest bid to boost births, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Artificial intelligence

‘Widespread cheating’ scandal hits South Korean universities amid AI concerns

Seoul National and Yonsei universities face new cheating scandals despite tighter controls, signalling need for stronger online exam and AI rules.

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Yonsei University uncovered a mass cheating case during the October midterm exam. Photo: Instagram/yonsei_official
Hong Kong stock market

SMIC, Pop Mart lead Hong Kong stocks higher before Christmas trading break

Hong Kong’s market will close early on Wednesday and remain shut on December 25 and 26.

Stock market trading will be limited this week due to the Christmas holiday. Photo: Jelly Tse
China-South Korea relations

Blackpink for Ayumi? Why China may reward South Korea’s soft stance on Japan row

Beijing is reviving stalled trade talks with Seoul as the Lee administration breaks with Tokyo on Taiwan, and analysts say Chinese market access could be the geopolitical prize.

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India

‘Pax Silica’: America’s new AI inner circle and Asia’s chosen few

Japan, South Korea and Singapore made the cut, leaving key partners like India and Vietnam – and even New Zealand – on the sidelines.

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Japan

Losing ground: Japan sounds alarm over foreign-owned land

From next year, anyone buying property will have to confirm their nationality – a move some analysts say is overkill.

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The Tokyo Skytree is seen from buildings in a residential area of the Japanese capital. Photo: AFP
South Korean celebrities

Worship to witch hunts: how South Korea’s fandoms turn on their idols

When stars shine brightest in the glare of publicity, the darkness that follows can feel absolute. This December, three more lights went out.

US-ally trade wars

Mexico’s 50% tariff shock shuts Asia’s North American trade bypass

A tariff wall will soon separate protected partners like CPTPP members Singapore and Malaysia from exporters facing a shutout.

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Vietnam

Vietnamese influx surges as South Korea’s foreign population hits record high

The Vietnamese population in South Korea jumped by 15.5 per cent last year, the fastest growing among major ethnic groups.

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People of different nationalities flock to Myeongdong shopping street in Seoul. Photo: Shutterstock
SCMP Highlights

US singer marries sultan, paraglider’s 28,000ft stunt: 8 viral stories in 2025

From US singer marrying Malaysian sultan to Chinese paraglider cheating death, here are our stories that have gone viral in 2025.

Brittany Porter poses with Sultan Muhammad V. Photo: Instagram/its.brook.lynn
Obituaries

In memoriam: 29 beloved celebrities we lost in 2025

We remember stars from the worlds of Hollywood, TV, music, fashion and more, from Jane Goodall to Giorgio Armani and Hulk Hogan.

Asia travel

‘Limits’ to hospitality: 10 times Asia overtourism became a problem in 2025

From Japan to Indonesia, excessive tourism has created issues in some of Asia’s travel hubs this year.

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks cap longest win streak in 3 weeks as US inflation cools

Soft US inflation data strengthens the case for monetary easing as the Hang Seng Index gains for a third day.

General view of the Exchange Square in Central. Photo: Jelly Tse
Yoon Suk-yeol

South Korea’s top court seeks to restore trust after martial law controversy

The changes target high-stakes national security cases amid mounting criticism over delays and alleged bias.

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South Korea’s Constitutional Court justices attend a hearing in Seoul on Thursday to deliver a verdict on the impeachment of former police chief Cho Ji-ho over his role in former president Yoon Suk-yeol’s failed martial law bid. Photo: EPA
Semiconductors

China to remain biggest buyer of chipmaking equipment through 2027: SEMI

China chipmakers are projected to continue outspending the world on wafer fab equipment through 2027, report says.

South Korea martial law 2024

South Korea’s police chief removed for supporting martial law plot

Cho Ji-ho was removed for sending officers to disrupt parliament and undermine the election commission’s independence, the Constitutional Court ruled.

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