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May 17, 2025May 17, 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

Why South Korea’s new ASEAN initiative may not survive the presidential election

Change in government and Trump tariff upheaval threaten to once again disrupt policy toward important regional bloc

John LeeJohn LeeMay 14, 2025
Analysis

Presidential frontrunners clash over South Korea’s energy future

Lee Jae-myung pushes renewables and public-led transition, while Kim Moon-soo prioritizes nuclear and price relief

John LeeJohn LeeMay 13, 2025
Analysis

South Korea’s nuclear power export ambitions derailed by Czech court injunction

French company’s legal challenge stalls KHNP’s $18B deal, raising questions over Seoul’s legal readiness in Europe

John LeeJohn LeeMay 7, 2025
Analysis

Trump’s movie tariff threat puts South Korea’s streaming powerhouse at risk

A proposed 100% tariff on foreign-made films could hit Netflix’s Korean output and strain digital trade ties

John LeeJohn LeeMay 5, 2025
Opinion

South Korea’s political system depends on restraint — and that restraint is gone

With a figurehead president, courts stepping into politics and parties at war, institutional collapse is the new reality

John LeeJohn LeeMay 2, 2025
Month In Review

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

An analytical look at the main developments from April 1 to 30, 2025, and key outlook for May 2025

Analysis

Samsung’s record quarter belies rising risks from weaponized US trade policy

Tariffs, export controls and AI market fragmentation reveal South Korea’s growing exposure to Washington’s decisions

John LeeJohn LeeApril 30, 2025
Analysis

Why South Korea’s top court is moving fast on presidential frontrunner’s appeal

Institutional survival, not electoral intervention, is driving procedural urgency in Lee Jae-myung’s appeal process

John LeeJohn LeeApril 28, 2025
Analysis

Why South Korea will concede to US plans to use troops on peninsula for Taiwan

Trump’s Indo-Pacific pivot leaves Seoul little room to object, but it has leverage to bargain for strategic returns

John LeeJohn LeeApril 24, 2025
Analysis

China exploits South Korea’s strategic paralysis in Yellow Sea expansion

While Beijing installs platforms, Seoul balances trade, alliance and leadership vacuum as it weighs cost of pushing back

John LeeJohn LeeApril 23, 2025
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