Defense & Security
North Korean mine dispute, new Lee advisers and US investment pressure — Ep. 151
Seoul navigates a sensitive DMZ incident while pushing engagement and resisting premature claims over Alaska LNG
October 2, 2026
North Korean POW dispute tests Seoul-Kyiv trust and future Ukraine policy
Conflicting accounts of the transfer deal raise questions over aid, intelligence sharing and future POW cooperation
October 1, 2026
South Korea in September 2026: A month in review and what’s ahead
An analytical look at the main developments from September 1 to 28, 2026, and key outlook for October 2026
September 30, 2026
Lee’s Hormuz red line tests South Korea’s leverage in $350 billion US talks
Washington wants more allied support and Korean capital as Seoul tries to protect limits built into last year’s deal
September 22, 2026
Lee draws red line on South Korea’s military role around Strait of Hormuz
Seoul leaves room for stronger maritime protection while ruling out direct participation in the widening Iran war
September 21, 2026
Trump’s Cheongung social media post tests Seoul’s refusal to arm to Ukraine
Korean law does not bar wartime transfers outright, leaving readiness and Russia as stronger reasons for restraint
September 16, 2026
Houthi seizure of Mokha sharpens South Korea’s Hormuz deployment dilemma
Red Sea risks strengthen Seoul’s case for action while exposing limits of a narrow military mission focused on Hormuz
September 11, 2026
Hormuz deployment, France nuclear deal and Olympic Park protests — Ep. 149
Seoul weighs military involvement in Middle East, expands energy cooperation with Paris, ends sports federation blockade
September 11, 2026
Lee uses Paris summit to expand South Korea’s technology and supply options
Samsung-Mistral, Naver and KHNP-Orano deals add commercial weight to a wider Korea-France industrial framework
September 10, 2026
South Korea leans on Europe as Hormuz deployment choices grow narrower
Lee is using a British-French framework to preserve a limited role as war, Iran and DP resistance constrain Seoul
September 9, 2026
