North Korea’s cluster warheads put South Korea’s wartime resilience to test
Allied airfield drills and civilian backup plans offer safeguards, but unexploded bomblets could delay operations
November 6, 2026
ANALYSIS, OPINION & MORE
US midterm fallout, Korea’s $350B deal and Trump-Kim summit prospects — Ep. 156
Democratic gains raise questions over wartime command transfer, investment oversight and renewed North Korea diplomacy
South Korea adds future mine-clearance option to Cheonghae deployment plan
The government wants an expanded mandate south of Oman while pledging to keep its forces outside the war with Iran
Seoul’s $350B US investment pledge faces a second set of rules in Congress
Korean law demands commercial returns, but a Democratic bill would prioritize U.S. jobs, suppliers and new disclosures
Trump’s $350 billion South Korea deal faces a Democratic Congress test
Democrats gain oversight of investment decisions in January, while Seoul faces near-term pressure from the White House
The danger in Lee Jae Myung’s online feuds lies with the supporters who stay
Nearly one in four voters strongly approve of Lee, raising concerns about the ideas his most loyal followers may defend
Lee-Erdogan talks expose the difficult economics of South Korea’s nuclear push
A Sinop financing pact marks progress, but Westinghouse licensing costs and Czech construction disputes create risks
US midterm fallout, Korea’s $350B deal and Trump-Kim summit prospects — Ep. 156
Democratic gains raise questions over wartime command transfer, investment oversight and renewed North Korea diplomacy
Lee’s online backlash, US alliance tensions and political theatrics — Ep. 155
Lee Jae Myung faces backlash over immigration remarks as defense minister questions US military support
Russia's Seoul outreach, Hormuz mission and cyber threats — Ep. 154
Moscow proposes renewed ties as South Korea weighs naval expansion and raises its cybersecurity alert
KOSPI plunge, Kamala Harris visit and Lee’s staffing shake-up — Ep. 153
South Korean chip stocks tumble as former US vice president visits Seoul and Lee appoints new chief of staff
Nuri launch, bank cyber breach and Seoul-Kyiv tensions — Ep. 152
South Korea marks another space milestone as financial security concerns grow and ties with Ukraine face new strain
North Korean mine dispute, new Lee advisers and US investment pressure — Ep. 151
Seoul navigates a sensitive DMZ incident while pushing engagement and resisting premature claims over Alaska LNG
Binance’s $6.36B hack exposes gaps in South Korea’s financial cyber defenses
Seoul has tightened penalties after repeated breaches, but gaps in sharing attack warnings leave financial firms exposed
Lee ties record 2027 budget to household gains amid fund financing concerns
Lawmakers face decisions over the Future Response Fund as new scrutiny raises doubts about recurring spending
South Korea’s female conscription debate tests the military’s ability to adapt
Officer shortages, inadequate facilities and gaps in victim protection complicate Seoul’s options for expanding draft
US, South Korea and Japan widen economic ties as nuclear plans advance
Foreign ministers sign a preliminary Arctic pact while reactor partners pursue overseas projects and financing
South Korea in October 2026: A month in review and what’s ahead
An analytical look at the main developments from October 1 to 30, 2026, and key outlook for November 2026
Lee’s online backlash, US alliance tensions and political theatrics — Ep. 155
Lee Jae Myung faces backlash over immigration remarks as defense minister questions US military support
