Domestic Politics
Democratic victory masks deeper political battles already shaping 2030
Election strengthened Lee Jae Myung today, but raises new questions about succession, housing and opposition renewal
June 5, 2026
DP dominates local elections, PPP holds Seoul and ballot controversy — Ep. 135
South Korea’s ruling party expands its regional foothold as conservatives find reasons for optimism in the capital
June 5, 2026
Ruling party dominates local elections but Seoul denies complete political sweep
Democratic Party expands control nationwide while Oh Se-hoon, Han Dong-hoon and party rivals gain new momentum
June 4, 2026
Democrats tighten grip on South Korea as local election map turns blue
Broad victories expand ruling party’s influence while NEC ballot shortages fuel challenges from the opposition
June 4, 2026
South Korea cuts EUV bottlenecks as AI chip race accelerates worldwide
New rules slash deployment timelines for ASML lithography systems as Seoul seeks faster semiconductor expansion
June 3, 2026
Deadly Hanwha Aerospace explosion puts spotlight on defense industry risks
Investigators will examine structural causes as Seoul pushes defense exports and advanced industrial growth
June 2, 2026
South Korea in May 2026: A month in review and what’s ahead
An analytical look at the main developments from May 1 to 29, 2026, and key outlook for June 2026
May 29, 2026
Why Starbucks Korea’s ‘Tank Day’ fallout became more than a branding crisis
The May 18 controversy raised questions about call options, oversight failures and legal exposure
May 26, 2026
‘Tank Day’ fallout pushes Shinsegae into legal and political territory
Police action and President Lee Jae Myung’s comments broaden a marketing crisis into governance risk
May 25, 2026
South Korea’s next Assembly speaker could accelerate Lee Jae Myung’s agenda fast
Cho Jeong-sik is expected to prioritize legislative speed, constitutional reform and executive coordination
May 22, 2026
