Culture & Society
South Korea in May 2025: A month in review and what’s ahead
An analytical look at the main developments from May 1 to 31, 2025, and key outlook for June 2025
June 2, 2025
Keon Jun Lee on building a brand-tech startup in South Korea — Ep. 80
What it really takes to grow a founder-led business in South Korea’s creator economy
June 2, 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
South Korea’s election exposes divide on youth, gender and demographic care
Presidential contenders offer conflicting visions of how to manage aging, inclusion and inequality
May 26, 2025
From welfare to housing, candidates differ over South Korea’s social contract
Presidential candidates diverge on how to address social demands and fiscal pressure rising from demographic crunch
May 23, 2025
Post-martial law, South Korea’s presidential term reform debate splits experts
Experts mixed on whether proposed changes will improve democratic accountability or create new imbalances
May 22, 2025
South Korea’s election laws keep minor parties off the political stage
Legal thresholds and campaign restrictions entrench a two-party system, limiting competition and silencing new voices
May 21, 2025
SK Telecom hack exposes South Korean military’s reliance on civilian networks
Experts warn armed forces face systemic threats as troops’ personal mobile use outpaces secure infrastructure reforms
May 9, 2025
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
May 5, 2025
Colin Marshall on why South Korea’s politics resist Western labels — Ep. 75
Why South Korea’s left and right defy ideological labels, and what that says about power
May 5, 2025
