Briefings
Trump clears China market for US tech giants after freezing South Korean rivals
August regulatory freeze on Samsung and SK Hynix paved way for December monetization of US chip sales to Beijing markets
December 11, 2025
Lee Jae Myung orders review of compulsory probe rights for state agencies
President argues social cost of criminal law is high and pushes for massive fines enforced by agency discretionary acts
December 10, 2025
South Korea labor demand hits 1998 crisis level as private hiring turns ice cold
Job opening ratio drops to lowest since Asian Financial Crisis while youth exodus from manufacturing accelerates rapidly
December 9, 2025
Weak won erodes South Korea’s bank safety scores despite strong profit growth
Financial regulator signals dividend caps may be needed to preserve loss absorbing capacity amid fears of stagnation
December 8, 2025
South Korea’s wealth gap widens as asset inflation masks structural weakness
Rising Gini coefficient and double-digit surge in rental liabilities undercut government claims of financial soundness
December 5, 2025
Corporate watchdog reveals chaebol offshore cash hoard as won remains weak
Data confirms top conglomerates are recycling export earnings abroad instead of repatriating cash to South Korea
December 4, 2025
South Korea hikes corporate and education tax to fund $495B budget for 2026
Bipartisan deal forces private sector to underwrite Lee Jae-myung’s National Growth Fund while opposition folds on taxes
December 3, 2025
South Korea resumes high-level Iran talks in first visit since Israel conflict
Move highlights divergence between Lee administration’s hedging strategy and Trump’s maximum pressure campaign
December 2, 2025
South Korea launches probe as Coupang breach confirmed to affect 34M customers
Country’s largest e-commerce platform leaked data for five months, raising scrutiny of cybersecurity controls
December 1, 2025
Cyber theft tests South Korea’s fintech credibility as Naver unveils big merger
44.5 billion won loss at country’s largest crypto exchange highlights governance discipline, cybersecurity readiness
November 28, 2025
