Analysis
Democratic victory masks deeper political battles already shaping 2030
Election strengthened Lee Jae Myung today, but raises new questions about succession, housing and opposition renewal
June 5, 2026
Ruling party dominates local elections but Seoul denies complete political sweep
Democratic Party expands control nationwide while Oh Se-hoon, Han Dong-hoon and party rivals gain new momentum
June 4, 2026
South Korea’s submarine push raises bigger questions about alliance roles
As Seoul expands military capabilities, Washington and Seoul are likely debating future security responsibilities
June 3, 2026
China’s outbound investment rules complicate South Korea’s AI ambitions
Meta-Manus cases shows how Beijing could use the new regulations to restrict use of its technology and talent overseas
June 2, 2026
Why a dormant South Korea-Japan military pact has returned to Seoul’s agenda
Ahn Gyu-back’s ACSA remarks reveal how OPCON, North Korea and alliance demands are reshaping defense debates
June 1, 2026
Bank of Korea confronts AI boom and inflation risks after leadership change
New Governor Shin Hyun-song faces overlapping challenges from energy shocks, chip costs and financial fragmentation
May 28, 2026
Why identifying HMM Namu’s attacker may create problems for South Korea
Investigators may eventually identify the perpetrator, but Seoul’s shipping exposure limits how far policy can move
May 27, 2026
Why Starbucks Korea’s ‘Tank Day’ fallout became more than a branding crisis
The May 18 controversy raised questions about call options, oversight failures and legal exposure
May 26, 2026
How a submarine voyage to Canada could strain Seoul’s strategy toward China
Real-time interoperability tests by ROK vessel underscore how defense exports carry geopolitical consequences
May 25, 2026
Samsung labor settlement reveals South Korea’s new industrial strategy
State pressure, shareholder activism and court rulings combined to weaken union leverage in strategic tech sectors
May 21, 2026
