Domestic Politics
South Korea redefines senior military accountability after martial law
Expanded liability and civilian promotion authority reshape accountability and command authority
February 23, 2026
Yoon Suk Yeol’s life sentence tests South Korea’s prosecution, pardon cycle
Insurrection ruling revives scrutiny of clemency norms and reshapes executive risk calculus ahead of local elections
February 20, 2026
Yoon’s life sentence, import rankings and Munich Security Conference — Ep. 120
The ruling against the ex-president, party reactions, trade tensions with the US and takeaways from security conference
February 20, 2026
Court sentences Yoon Suk Yeol to life, draws line on emergency powers
Seoul court rules martial law becomes insurrection when used to disable legislature and deploy troops against Assembly
February 20, 2026
South Korea shifts focus from tariff pledges to delivery under US pressure
Seoul sends delegation to Washington as investment commitments face legal, political and commercial constraints
February 19, 2026
South Korea’s Special Chips Act underwrites capital, leaving execution risk
Semiconductor law defers 52-hour reform as firm-level execution models determine competitive edge
February 17, 2026
South Korea passes small modular reactor special act
National Assembly creates science ministry-led control tower and five year master plan for next-gen nuclear energy
February 17, 2026
South Korea’s ruling party reform and merger collapse test June election unity
Leadership voting overhaul passes while RKP merger talks are suspended, exposing early succession strains
February 16, 2026
South Korea activates tariff linked investment panel before law passes
MOTIR launches temporary system to review US bound projects as special act remains pending in National Assembly
February 16, 2026
Japan’s election, Seoul’s security calculus and court reform in Korea — Ep. 119
Sanae Takaichi’s supermajority, deepening Saudi defense ties and South Korea’s judicial overhaul debate
February 13, 2026
