Defense & Security
South Korea launches nuclear submarine plan with Washington in focus
Seoul’s naval ambitions depend as much on fuel access and diplomacy as submarine engineering
May 27, 2026
South Korea, Japan deepen energy-security coordination amid regional instability
Leaders discuss LNG swaps, crude stockpiling and US-China summit fallout during Andong meeting
May 20, 2026
Iran strike suspicions, US-China summit prep and Japan defense exports — Ep. 132
South Korea navigates Middle East pressure, great-power diplomacy and new defense export competition from Tokyo
May 15, 2026
Japan’s arms export shift could reshape South Korea’s defense future
Tokyo’s alliance-centered defense strategy may pressure Seoul in high-end weapons markets and joint development
May 13, 2026
Seoul faces rising pressure after South Korean-linked ship strike in Hormuz
Officials avoid blaming Iran for attack so far, wary of expected pressure to join U.S.-led maritime operations
May 11, 2026
Seoul probe concludes ‘unidentified’ flying object struck Korean ship in Hormuz
The Iranian ambassador was seen headed to the foreign ministry, though authorities have not named actor behind strike
May 11, 2026
HMM Namu blast, Samsung union tensions and constitutional vote boycott — Ep. 131
A Strait of Hormuz shipping incident meets fuel-driven inflation and political debate over constitutional amendments
May 8, 2026
Haegung export signals South Korea’s pivot to plug-in defense sales model
Malaysia contract opens new markets while shifting integration and export decisions beyond Seoul’s control
May 7, 2026
Coupang probe strains US-South Korea ties as legal dispute hits security talks
Seoul’s data breach response draws U.S. political and trade pressure, with spillover into defense and nuclear talks
May 6, 2026
South Korean ship fire raises the stakes for Seoul in Middle East war
Trump’s claim of Iranian strike leaves Lee balancing maritime security, citizen safety and alliance pressure
May 5, 2026
