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South Korea

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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
US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that a trade deal with India is nearing completion. Photo: AP
India

Is US wielding new tariff threat to secure big bargain in India trade talks?

Additional 12.5 per cent levy over forced labour supply-chain concerns seen as leverage in negotiations, analysts say.

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China-North Korea relations

Chinese leader Xi Jinping visit to North Korea confirmed for next week

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Middle East

Asia-Pacific to lead global retail sales, weather Middle East conflict

Weather

‘It’s annoying’: South Koreans sweat over US$779,000 prison cooling plan

‘Relieve the families of victims with that money,’ a social media user says amid backlash over the taxpayer-funded project.

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South Korea’s US$779,162 plan for prison corridor air conditioning has sparked public outrage. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong stock market

Is Hong Kong losing its tech edge to the mainland’s AI boom?

Chinese investors are shifting from Hong Kong to mainland stocks, driven by AI opportunities and better returns.

Lee Jae Myung

South Korea’s Lee scores ‘flawed’ poll win, setback for his property tax plan

The defeat in the Seoul election came after the incumbent mayor promised to act as a counterbalance to Lee’s administration.

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Artificial intelligence

Macroscope | How the AI chip boom made South Korea a victim of its own success

While tech giants are driving South Korea’s stock market higher, the country’s currency is struggling and foreign investors are pulling out.

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Currency dealers celebrate in front of a screen showing South Korea’s benchmark stock index during a ceremony celebrating it breaking 7,000 points at the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on May 6. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | How cooperating with the US on economic security could backfire

The conflict in the Middle East and the ensuing turmoil are testing the conventional concept of economic security.

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China-EU relations

Exclusive | EU and China set for Paris talks this week as trade war fears mount

Bloc puts ‘carrot-and-stick’ approach to test in high-stakes meeting with Beijing’s international trade envoy on sidelines of OECD meeting.

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Yoon Suk-yeol

South Korea’s ruling party set for local election gains

The vote is widely seen as an assessment of President Lee Jae-myung’s first year in office.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hea-kyung cast their ballots during early voting for nationwide local elections at a polling station in Seoul on May 29. Photo: dpa
Diplomacy

Opinion | What Seoul must do to achieve peaceful coexistence with North Korea

South Korea needs to restore communication channels, end the policy see-saw and ensure official rhetoric is consistent with policy objectives.

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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung salutes the national flag at the first plenary meeting of the National Economic Advisory Council, at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, on April 9. Photo: EPA/Yonhap
North Korea

Tears in North Korea as Kim meets footballers after historic title win

Naegohyang Women’s FC became the first North Korean side to win Asia’s top club title last month.

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China trade

China’s AI chip demand is surging – and South Korea is riding the wave

Strong demand for memory chips has reshaped South Korea’s exports to China – but analysts warn the gains could be short lived.

China-South Korea relations

South Korea and Japan eye military logistics pact. Should China be wary?

Northeast Asian neighbours signal closer security ties, but wartime history and Seoul-Beijing relations could stand in the way, analysts say.

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A military logistics support agreement between Japan and South Korea could simplify the exchange of supplies – such as ammunition, fuel and food – during emergencies or joint operations. Photo: Kyodo
US Forces Korea (USFK)

US general’s ‘dagger’ remark tests South Korea’s China balancing act

A top commander’s blunt remark spotlights a fundamental disagreement over the true purpose of the 28,500 US troops based in South Korea.

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General Xavier T. Brunson speaks at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, in 2024. Photo: AFP
Banking & finance

Why are Asia’s families eyeing liquid assets to secure their children’s wealth?

More of the continent’s parents are providing share portfolios and other assets for their offspring as confidence in property begins to wane.

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Malaysia

‘We are a small country’: why Malaysia is resisting US defence spending call

Malaysia faces a dilemma in modernising an ageing military without overwhelming public finances or appearing to choose sides, analysts say.

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US-China relations

Hegseth tones down China rhetoric on return to Asia

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth adopted a noticeably less hostile tone towards China in his address at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Photo: EPA
Lee Jae Myung

Fire kills 5 in South Korea after blast at defence giant’s factory

At least two others were injured in a fire following a suspected propellant explosion at the defence giant’s plant in Daejeon.

Mainland China

Festival promoting Korean ceramic culture faces fury over Chinese-made prizes

Organisers of the Yeoju Ceramic Festival apologised amid public backlash and calls for accountability.

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China shipbuilding

Why the US Navy must look to allies if it wants to catch up to China at sea

To close gap with Chinese fleet, analysts say the US must outsource shipbuilding to South Korea and Japan – but the move risks backlash.

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One option for the US to close the naval shipbuilding gap with China is to adopt Japanese Mogami-class hulls. Photo: Kyodo
United States

From submarines to trade, South Korea and US remain deadlocked ahead of talks

The two allies are also expected to discuss the transfer of military control and a data breach involving a US firm at their talks next week.

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A US Virginia-class fast-attack submarine docks in Rockingham, Western Australia, last year. South Korea is reportedly aiming to build nuclear-powered submarines similar to the Virginia-class vessels. Photo: AFP
Ageing society

Opinion | East Asia’s population challenge isn’t just about raising birth rates

Sustainable policies must strengthen people’s well-being and expand opportunities, creating a society where everyone can thrive.

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US-China relations

How US defence chief Hegseth softened tone towards China after Xi-Trump meeting

In contrast with last year, his speech to the Shangri-La forum avoided sensitive issues and did not directly describe Beijing as a ‘threat’.

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Women and gender

Professor disciplined after saying ‘8 in 10 Korean women’ engaged in sex work

The faculty member was barred from teaching classes, providing academic counselling and performing other student guidance duties.

A professor was disciplined for making sexist remarks at a South Korean university. Photo: Shutterstock
US-China relations

‘Clear-eyed’ on China: the takeaways from Pete Hegseth’s Shangri-La speech

From the Indo-Pacific to Iran, Hegseth gives the White House’s take on security relationships.

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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers a keynote speech at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
US-Asean relations

Tariffs, war and broken trust: Southeast Asia’s Trump problem

Disillusioned by US unpredictability, the region is learning to diversify – while Trump treats allies as bargaining chips.

Beauty

Video | South Korea is world’s second-largest cosmetics giant

K-beauty exports hit US$11.4 billion in 2025, overtaking the US to rank second only to France.

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