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South Korea
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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
Illustration: Craig Stephens
Diplomacy

Opinion | How America’s stumble in Iran upends East Asia’s security calculus

A region where US allies lose faith in Washington won’t necessarily embrace Beijing; it is a region more likely to reach for its own guns.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Helium supply shock threatens Asian chipmakers as economic slowdown fears mount

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Indonesia

Indonesia rebalances energy policy as Iran war spurs new projects

China energy security

Strait of Hormuz crisis

China remains relatively sheltered by its strategic oil reserves and investment in clean energy, even as Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz sparks a global energy crisis.

Strait of Hormuz crisis
United States

‘I can’t breathe’: Korean Air sued over in-flight death of passenger

The lawsuit filed in the US alleged that the airline failed to provide oxygen to Porscha Tynisha Brown who died in 2024.

US, Israel war on Iran

Editorial | Trump’s Iran address fails to set minds at ease or clearly signal direction

The Iran war is a wake-up call to many countries about their overdependence on the US for security.

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Middle East

Macron says military operation to ‘liberate’ Strait of Hormuz ‘unrealistic’

Such an operation would take excessive time and expose those crossing the strait to ‘coastal threats’.

French President Emmanuel Macron leaves Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, South Korea on Thursday. Photo: via Reuters
War and conflict

Opinion | Iran war is changing East Asia’s energy and strategic plays

States like China and Russia that can provide energy, industrial inputs, strategic reassurance or room for manoeuvre are gaining weight.

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Central banks

Macroscope | Asian central banks largely powerless in face of Iran war energy shock

Central banks cannot pump oil into the global economy in the same way they can flood the financial system with liquidity.

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Hong Kong society

Letters | Hong Kong needs to start charging all bus passengers by distance

Readers discuss the decision to revise the HK$2 public transport fare scheme, and the potential of student clubs at universities.

A minibus sports a sticker advertising Hong Kong’s HK$2 transport subsidy scheme for elderly and disabled passengers, on March 23. An amended version of the scheme will be rolled out on April 3. Photo: Jelly Tse
China energy security

Australia and Japan face jet fuel supply crunch as China cuts exports

Both Australia and Japan are heavily reliant on Chinese jet fuel, but shipments have plunged in recent weeks amid the Iran war.

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Qantas is already raising airfares as Australia faces a jet fuel supply crunch amid the US-Israel war on Iran. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Video | Seoul residents hoard bin bags as oil shock deepens

Fears over supply disruptions tied to the Iran war have sent sales of Seoul’s mandatory trash bags soaring, prompting shops to ration sales.

Business of climate change

Ganfeng Lithium sees surge in battery demand amid China-US energy rivalry

Executives project an ‘explosive growth’ in energy storage, with Chinese firms extending their lead amid AI and data centre demand.

US, Israel war on Iran

No oil for BBQ: South Korean restaurants gasp for help amid fuel crisis

Prices for ingredients and packaging have risen by as much as 30 per cent since the start of the Iran war.

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A Korean barbecue restaurant. Small business owners in South Korea are feeling the pinch from rising fuel prices. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong, mainland China join Asia stock rally amid Iran war optimism

Hang Seng Index caps its biggest gain in a week after Trump says US will end strikes on Iran, boosting hopes the conflict is close to ending.

Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at the Opera House of the Kennedy Center for the opening night performance of a musical on March 31 in Washington, DC. Photo: Getty Images
Semiconductors

South Korea turns to Russia for naphtha as Asia’s chip industry feels squeeze

South Korea’s return to Russian naphtha – vital for semiconductor manufacturing – highlights Asia’s fragile supply chain amid Iran conflict.

Japan

What Macron’s Tokyo visit means for an anxious Japan and its ties with France

Japan is enlisting French support amid a global energy shock and a diplomatic rupture with Beijing.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Why are South Koreans hoarding rubbish bags from supermarkets?

The won is at a 17-year low, parliament is in damage control mode and shop shelves are being stripped clean of plastic bags.

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A cashier checks government-regulated bin bags at a checkout in Goyang, South Korea, on Monday. South Korea’s energy minister has sought to ease fears over shortages of plastic rubbish bags. Photo: AFP
Taiwan

Names and games: Taipei hits back over ‘China’ label, but will it pay off?

Taiwan retaliates against countries that have changed its name in official systems, but analysts and lawmakers warn measures could backfire.

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Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Restriction on power banks on flights should not have come as a surprise

Limiting power banks to two in hand luggage comes after worrying fires on board. However, passengers would have benefited from more advance notice.

China-North Korea relations

China steps up North Korea connections as regular Pyongyang flights resume

Air China flight arrives in North Korea days after passenger train services between the neighbours were restored.

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A flight route between Beijing and Pyongyang has resumed. An Air China flight leaves Beijing on Monday morning and returns from North Korea around noon the same day. Photo: Kyodo
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks fall with Asia as Iran conflict drives oil prices higher

Most Asian markets retreat as surging oil prices fuel concerns over the economic fallout, while aluminium producers rally on supply fears.

The Hang Seng Index retreated 0.8 per cent on Monday. Photo: Dickson Lee
Art

South Korea’s first major LGBTQ exhibition gives voice to queer artists

‘Spectrosynthesis Seoul’ at Art Sonje Centre signals a step towards acceptance in South Korea’s traditionally rigid and conservative society.

My Take

My Take | Iran has shown the West’s containment of China is a fool’s errand

Countries across the world will be wise to hedge their bets with Beijing as the war exposes US security ‘guarantees’ as burdens and liabilities for allies.

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North Korea

North Korea tests powerful missile engine. Will an ICBM launch follow?

The engine may be used in the Hwasong-20, which analysts say is capable of hitting targets around the globe.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a test of a solid-fuel rocket engine at an undisclosed location in the country. Photo: KCNA via KNS/AFP
History

Death of South Korean ‘torture expert’ reopens authoritarian era wounds

Lee Geun-an, who was notorious for using methods such as ‘chicken roasting’ and water torture on victims, did not regret his past.

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Lee Geun-an, the former chief inspector, and his team were responsible for torturing students and workers in South Korea when it was ruled by a military-backed authoritarian government. Photo: YouTube
Art

Painter Eunnam Hong explores identity through haunting self-portraits

The New York-based Korean artist cites filmmakers Wong Kar-wai, John Cassavetes and Hong Sang-soo, and painter Elizabeth Peyton as inspirations.

China trade

From chips to MRIs, Iran war puts helium users on edge

Fitch Ratings says helium prices have roughly doubled since conflict began.

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