Analysis
Strategic ambition meets fiscal reality in South Korea’s new alliance commitment
Pledge to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP and fund US troops collides with tightening domestic fiscal pressures
November 18, 2025
South Korea rebuilds military leadership to restore credibility after crisis
Mass turnover clears stalled promotions and resets command culture, while upcoming appointments shape future direction
November 17, 2025
Why South Korea spurns marijuana legalization even as other countries mellow out
Strong social stigma and a legacy of authoritarian drug crackdowns mean strict controls are likely here to stay
November 14, 2025
South Korea pivots from labor expansion to economic realism after major reform
Labor minister’s cautious stance on banning overnight deliveries signals a new emphasis on stability, protecting SMEs
November 13, 2025
A deadly immigration raid triggers scrutiny of South Korea’s aggressive tactics
Seoul’s crackdown on undocumented workers has exposed tensions between attracting foreign labor and protecting jobs
November 12, 2025
China’s gray-zone tactics in the Yellow Sea pose a military dilemma for Seoul
Experts say new structures and increased naval patrols risk normalizing Beijing’s presence without an effective response
November 11, 2025
South Korea’s missing fiscal anchor threatens investor confidence
Lack of binding debt and deficit limits may undermine investor trust as Lee Jae-myung’s expansionary budget takes effect
November 10, 2025
South Korea’s nuclear submarine plan upends the AUKUS order
Trump’s approval expands cooperation beyond the Anglosphere, heightening nonproliferation fears and US shipyard strain
November 7, 2025
South Korea leaps forward in space surveillance, but still has a long way to go
Despite launch of final military spy satellite, real-time monitoring will require years of investment in new tech
November 5, 2025
Trump-Xi detente exposes South Korea to a world of regulatory dependence
Managed globalization leaves Korean industries tied to rival licensing systems that control access to materials and tech
November 4, 2025
