Briefings
South Korea scrambles as Trump doubles tariffs on steel, aluminum
With new tariffs set for June 4, South Korea’s next president faces a trade crisis from day one
June 3, 2025
South Korea sidelined as US urges Asian allies to spend 5% of GDP on defense
US defense secretary excludes Seoul from key remarks while pushing a defense target even Washington doesn’t meet
June 2, 2025
Rate cut signals crisis mode as South Korea confronts US trade policy collapse
BOK forecasts just 0.8% growth for 2025 as US court ruling throws Seoul’s negotiation strategy into uncertainty
May 30, 2025
China’s Tencent acquires 9.7% stake in SM, becoming key K-pop power broker
Chinese tech giant acquires HYBE’s stake, gaining leverage over SM’s global fan platform expansion into China
May 29, 2025
China’s Yellow Sea no-sail zone sparks South Korea’s interagency response
No-sail zone declared in disputed EEZ area draws muted response from Seoul amid presidential transition
May 28, 2025
South Korea launches renewable bids to align clean energy with national strategy
New rules give preference to local supply chains, expand RE100 access and reward state-developed technologies
May 27, 2025
Lee Jae-myung calls for presidential task force to rescue South Korean economy
Centralized economic command proposed despite record stimulus and looming interest rate cut failing to boost demand
May 26, 2025
South Korea launches its largest energy storage bid to bolster grid stability
Project shows how ROK may finance climate infrastructure through private capital but with public operational control
May 23, 2025
South Korea seeks deeper role in US defense supply chain through MRO talks
Arms procurement agency seeks to anchor Korean firms in US defense logistics amid trade talks and political transition
May 22, 2025
U.S., South Korea launch second round of tariff talks amid looming July deadline
With Lee Jae-myung leading polls, Seoul’s urgency contrasts with expected shift in trade negotiation stance
May 21, 2025
