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April 02, 2025Apr 02, 2025

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John Lee

John Lee

John Lee is the editor of KOREA PRO, based in Seoul. Prior to that, he was a contributor for NK News and KOREA PRO. His focus is on South Korean foreign policy and ROK-U.S. relations.

Analysis

Wildfires highlight South Korea’s rural neglect and leadership failures

Leadership void and inconsistent crisis response threaten recovery, deepen urban-rural divide and fuel distrust

John LeeJohn LeeApril 1, 2025
Month In Review

South Korea in March 2025: A month in review and what’s ahead

An analytical look at the main developments from March 1 to 31, 2025, and key outlook for April 2025

Analysis

Hyundai’s $21B US push signals a seismic strategy shift for South Korean firms

Tariffs, domestic instability and weak diplomacy are driving Korean conglomerates to behave like post-national entities

John LeeJohn LeeMarch 26, 2025
Analysis

South Korean PM’s reinstatement sets high bar for presidential impeachment

Constitutional Court’s focus on proportionality and intent may shield Yoon and future leaders from accountability

John LeeJohn LeeMarch 24, 2025
Opinion

Impeaching another South Korean acting president is a dangerous political gamble

Democratic Party’s push to remove Choi Sang-mok reflects growing anxiety that could seriously backfire with swing voters

John LeeJohn LeeMarch 21, 2025
Analysis

Fed’s caution squeezes Bank of Korea’s options as household debt rises

Gap in US-ROK rates and increased housing speculation are threatening to destabilize South Korea’s financial markets

John LeeJohn LeeMarch 20, 2025
Analysis

South Korea’s new law on managing nuclear waste faces uphill battle with public

Securing waste storage could stabilize energy policy, but environmental concerns and public distrust pose challenges

John LeeJohn LeeMarch 19, 2025
Analysis

Rare bipartisan deal on South Korean pension reform belies deeper deadlock

Ruling and opposition parties reach compromise to lower payouts, but long-term viability of system remains in doubt

John LeeJohn LeeMarch 14, 2025
Analysis

US considers labeling South Korea ‘sensitive,’ placing strain on the alliance

Defense and tech restrictions under the potential measure would undermine Seoul’s security posture and export ambitions

John LeeJohn LeeMarch 12, 2025
Analysis

South Korea’s retail sector faces reckoning as Homeplus files for receivership

Slow digital adoption and rising competition from e-commerce platforms have left legacy retailers struggling to compete

John LeeJohn LeeMarch 5, 2025
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