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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
Chinese law firms have set up more than 200 offices overseas as they make inroads into the global market. Photo: Shutterstock
Law

Chinese law firms in ‘pivotal moment’ as they answer the call to go global

As geopolitical tensions mount, Beijing has pressed for legal professionals to protect overseas assets – especially in belt and road nations.

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North Korea

Russia’s Lavrov meets Kim warns foes against forming anti-North Korea alliance

Defence

US officer urges closer South Korea-Japan defence ties amid North threat

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Australia

In US-China tug of war, Australia puts itself first

With one eye on the past and the other on the Asia-Pacific’s future, Australia’s prime minister is championing sovereignty in an uncertain age.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
US-China trade war

China must ‘play the long game’ with trade partners as US bullies, analysts say

Moving beyond strongly worded warnings, Beijing is seen embracing a more pragmatic approach, steeling itself ahead of more talks with Washington.

US-China relations

Rubio-Wang meet, China GDP, Nvidia and more

This week: Marco Rubio meets Wang Yi, Donald Trump revives tariff war, EU seeks to reduce reliance on China. Next week: China’s economy may slow, Nvidia’s Huang in China, Australian PM discusses Port Darwin and more.

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Korean peninsula

South Korea, US and Japan stage air drill as Russia’s Lavrov heads to North Korea

The three countries’ top military chiefs also held an annual meeting in Seoul on Friday.

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The three joint chiefs of staff - the United States’ Dan Caine, South Korea’s Kim Myung-soo and Japan’s Yoshida Yoshihide. Photo: EPA-EFE
SCMP Highlights

China’s visa-free policy in spotlight, death of top oncologist: 7 highlights

From China’s visa-free policy paying dividends to the death of a top oncologist, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Food and Drinks

South Korean restaurant’s ants-topped dishes bug food safety officials

The authorities have ordered a probe into the restaurant and its owner for potential violations under the Food Sanitation Act.

K-drama news

Moving’s Ryu Seung-ryong and Big Bet director on new K-drama Low Life

Kang Yoon-sung and Ryu Seung-ryong open up about this hotly anticipated Disney+ drama based on a webtoon about a treasure hunt at sea.

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Ryu Seung-ryong (right) and Jung Yun-ho in a still from Low Life, which will start streaming on Disney+ on July 16. Photo: Disney+
Climate change

Video | South Korea battles ‘lovebug’ invasion

South Korea battles ‘lovebug’ invasion
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Smartphones

Samsung bets on AI foldable phones to challenge Apple, Chinese rivals

The South Korean giant lost its global smartphone crown to Apple in 2023, and faces growing competition from Huawei and Honor.

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks rebound as investors await details on policy support from Beijing

Investors look ahead to a Politburo meeting later this month for clues on how top leaders might tackle deflationary trend.

IPO

China’s CXMT eyes IPO amid global memory-chip market upswing

CXMT completes formal filing of pre-listing guidance with the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

CXMT, the parent of Chinese memory-chip maker ChangXin Memory Technologies, was founded in 2016. Photo: Handout
My Take

Opinion | It’s time for business to stop profiting from Israel’s ‘economy of genocide’

A UN report has exposed dozens of corporations making money from the atrocities being committed across Palestinian territories.

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Smoke rises in Gaza after an explosion on Monday. A UN report says “far too many corporate entities have profited from the Israeli economy of illegal occupation, apartheid and now genocide”. Photo: Reuters
North Korea

Secret Japanese life of North Korea Kim Jong-un’s mother exposed in new book

A new book reveals that the leader’s maternal grandfather was a Japan-based smuggler who had to flee to North Korea to escape prosecution.

Food and Drinks

Where to find the best Korean food souvenirs? Chefs reveal their top places

From sauces and condiments to vegetables and dry goods, these markets and shops in Seoul are great for grabbing Korean ingredients for gifts.

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South Korean celebrities

South Korean actress reveals pregnancy via IVF without ex-husband’s consent

Lee Si-young and her then-husband Cho Seong-hyun went through an IVF, but Lee’s frozen embryo was not implanted during their marriage.

Lee Si-young at her wedding with her then husband Cho Seung-hyun in 2017. Photo: Huayi Brothers Korea/ Handout
Food and Drinks

Off the hook: South Korean fishers forced to dump US$1.9 million of bluefin tuna

After catching more than 1,300 bluefin tuna, the fishers from Yeongdeok county had to throw away the fish under an international obligation.

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Seoul

South Korea’s Yoon Suk-yeol back behind bars over martial law decree

After a gruelling seven-hour hearing, a court issued a detention warrant for the ex-president, citing concerns he could destroy evidence.

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China shipbuilding

China’s lead in global shipbuilding may already be fading, new data suggests

Chinese shipyards saw new orders plunge 68 per cent in the first half of 2025 as the US stepped up efforts to curtail their dominance.

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Chinese shipyards have suffered a significant decline in new orders this year as the United States steps up efforts to curtail their dominance of the global shipbuilding industry. Photo: COSCO
US-ally trade wars

Trump 2.0 tariffs tracker

The US is due to impose new tariffs on imports from around the world on August 1, as President Donald Trump seeks to pare trade deficits and revive domestic manufacturing.

Photo: EPA
Donald Trump

South Korea stands firm on US defence costs despite Trump’s demands

South Korea reaffirmed its commitment to the existing defence cost-sharing deal with the US, despite Trump’s calls for higher payments for US troops stationed there.

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Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks fall on worries about China’s deflationary pressure

Henderson Land Development falls after raising US$1 billion from the sale of convertible bonds.

United States

‘No extensions’: Trump locks in August 1 deadline for US tariffs

After days of speculation, US president says increased tariffs on numerous trading partners take effect on August 1 with no further delays.

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US President Donald Trump said that US tariffs on trading partners would take effect on August 1 with “no extensions”. Photo: AP
China-Japan relations

Will US tariff pressure on Japan and South Korea push them closer to China?

As Washington announces 25% reciprocal tariffs on its two Asian allies, analysts say Beijing has an opportunity with Tokyo and Seoul.

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Japan, South Korea and the US have looked to strengthen their military partnership in the face of growing threats from North Korea and China’s assertiveness. Pictured are (left to right) the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s destroyer Atago, the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry and and the South Korean Navy’s Aegis destroyer King Sejong the Great. Photo: South Korea Defence Ministry
SCMP Highlights

East Asia faces fresh US tariffs, China rare earth curbs: SCMP daily highlights

From Trump’s 14-nation tariff package to China eyeing expansion of high-speed rail with neighbours, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Artificial intelligence

Opinion | AI can enhance learning rather than threaten it

As artificial intelligence changes how we learn, it is challenging educators to rethink the purpose of education.

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