Analysis
South Korea readies petrochemical overhaul as sector faces deep crisis
Oversupply from China and Middle East leaves Korean firms exposed, raising risks for banks, jobs and policymakers
August 18, 2025
South Korea signals rapprochement with Japan, but path ahead remains fraught
Lee Jae-myung’s Liberation Day speech signals shift, but sustained progress hinges on concrete diplomatic structure
August 15, 2025
South Korea’s $150 billion shipbuilding gamble faces choppy waters in Washington
Protectionist policies, political turnover and procurement culture may limit Seoul’s strategic and economic gains
August 14, 2025
High youth turnout fails to deliver real political power in South Korea
Structural obstacles, party hierarchies and economic precarity limit youth influence despite electoral participation
August 12, 2025
South Korea’s Vietnam strategy risks backlash without stronger accountability
Lee-To meeting reaffirms bilateral goals, but reputational risks and weak compliance cast doubt on follow through
August 11, 2025
South Korean public backs tariff deal, but support could be ephemeral
Lee administration highlight success, but deal’s ad hoc nature raises economic and diplomatic uncertainties
August 8, 2025
South Korea’s new era of corporate punishment begins with POSCO crackdown
Lee Jae-myung’s response to workplace deaths signals rising legal, financial and reputational risks for major firms
August 7, 2025
Trump and Xi key to South Korea’s APEC summit as attendance remains uncertain
Washington’s reduced tariffs and a planned bilateral meeting give Seoul leverage to press for US and Chinese presence
August 6, 2025
Seoul-Tokyo goodwill grows among youth but historical tensions quietly persist
Shifting political landscapes in South Korea and Japan could reverse progress driven by security and generational shifts
August 5, 2025
Lee Jae-myung wins centrist approval but fails to secure partisan loyalty
July data shows centrists reward policy results but are quick to withdraw party support after missteps
August 4, 2025
