Briefings
Lee singles out industrial safety as economic priority in New Year address
Workplace deaths reframed as a growth constraint as president hints at expanded inspections without timelines
January 1, 2026
South Korea boosts retail bond targets to address 2025 shortfall and demand
Seoul targets 2 trillion won in 2026 as it battles rising bank rates and retail preference for international stocks
December 31, 2025
Coupang compensation and state enforcement now advance on parallel tracks
Corporate restitution moves ahead as Seoul expands administrative scrutiny without signaling regulatory closure
December 30, 2025
BOK overhauls emergency lending to include corporate loans for stability
Rising exchange rate volatility forces a cautious policy stance as global banks hike 2026 inflation forecasts to 2.1%
December 29, 2025
Coupang data breach evolves into a high-stakes sovereignty test for South Korea
Diplomatic friction and enforcement capacity now converge as Seoul escalates scrutiny of the NYSE-listed firm
December 26, 2025
Seoul eyes AUKUS-style nuclear submarine pact amid US regulatory friction
LEU threshold may create an expensive domestic fleet outclassed by China’s superior, long-endurance HEU submarines
December 25, 2025
Speed over strength as Hanwha builds US frigates on Coast Guard-derived hulls
FF(X) program prioritizes ship count by 2028, sparking concerns over fleet survivability in high-intensity conflict
December 24, 2025
South Korea’s financial watchdog overhaul creates new institutional risks
The consolidation of oversight powers marks a shift toward interventionist regulation and centralized governor control
December 23, 2025
Trump signs annual defense bill, codifying USFK troop floor through 2026
Mandatory troop baselines and OPCON conditions challenge the Lee administration’s push for an expedited command transfer
December 22, 2025
South Korean won slides toward fresh lows as authorities lean on FX coordination
MOEF, BOK and pension fund move to manage volatility as structural dollar demand limits scope for direct intervention
December 19, 2025
