Defense & Security
US troop review highlights South Korea’s strategic drift in leadership vacuum
Seoul’s caretaker government was not consulted as the Pentagon eyes a potential 4,500-troop reduction
South Korean presidential candidates’ defense platforms diverge by ideology
Lee backs OPCON transfer, Kim echoes Yoon’s nuclear doctrine, Lee Jun-seok targets personnel and Kwon rejects hard power
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
South Korea’s candidates diverge on alliance, trade and North Korea strategy
Presidential contenders offer competing slogans on diplomacy and defense, but fall short on plans for execution
South Korea eyes defense gains in India’s tough but lucrative arms market
Seoul’s latest K9 deal signals deeper ambitions, but experts warn India’s procurement politics remain a major hurdle
Years-long SK Telecom breach draws opposition fire, international concern
Attack draws political heat at home and renewed scrutiny abroad over Seoul’s cyber security standards
South Korea’s top candidates lay out starkly different visions ahead of election
Lee proposes state-driven innovation and reform while Kim calls for liberalization and institutional rollback
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
Europe’s defense push tests South Korea’s role in strategic arms supply chain
South Korean defense firms must deliver more than speed to compete in Europe’s localization-first rearmament strategy
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














