Briefings
Mexico’s tariff plan threatens South Korea’s auto edge amid US trade strains
Seoul faces higher costs in Mexico as US tariffs persist, tightening squeeze on ROK automakers’ North American strategy
September 18, 2025
South Korea unveils grand industrial and energy plan amid mounting fiscal strain
Cabinet approves seven national tasks with trillion-won ambitions, testing Seoul’s budgets and political resolve
September 17, 2025
South Korea sets profit-linked fines for firms with repeated workplace deaths
Companies with three or more annual fatalities face penalties up to 5% of operating profit and risk license cancellation
September 16, 2025
South Korea resists US tariff ultimatum as Supreme Court ruling looms
Seoul stalls trade talks, wary of Japan-style deal while awaiting US court decision on Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs
September 15, 2025
Lee Jae-myung warns US of investment risk without visa, tariff fix
In his 100-day address, South Korean leader cautioned that continued bottlenecks will slow multibillion-dollar projects
September 12, 2025
South Korea presses US for visa reforms as ROK firms face fallout from raid
Companies urge new visa categories after ICE raid, but US politics and election pressures threaten progress
September 11, 2025
Lee Jae-myung slams 15.9% loan rates for South Korea’s most vulnerable borrowers
Rising household debt and pressure on non-bank lenders heighten concerns over risks of political intervention in lending
September 10, 2025
Lee administration announces plans for sweeping government reorganization
Overhaul would abolish prosecutor’s office and split economic ministries, risking institutional disruption
September 9, 2025
South Korea secures release deal after US raid detains 300 workers
More than 300 Koreans were detained in Georgia, revealing visa gaps and fueling doubts about US reliability as a partner
September 8, 2025
South Korea extends SME loan terms to 15 years, entrenching fiscal liabilities
Seoul’s move to ease burdens on shuttered firms shifts private debt risks onto state, raising sustainability questions
September 5, 2025
