Domestic Politics
South Korean automakers at risk of US losses as tariff gap widens with Japan
US duties on Korean cars puts Seoul at a competitive disadvantage in largest overseas market amid tense trade talks
September 16, 2025
South Korea sets profit-linked fines for firms with repeated workplace deaths
Companies with three or more annual fatalities face penalties up to 5% of operating profit and risk license cancellation
September 16, 2025
South Korea retreats on capital gains tax changes to calm markets and investors
Decision to keep 5 billion won threshold ends weeks of turmoil but raises doubts about long-term fiscal discipline
September 15, 2025
South Korea resists US tariff ultimatum as Supreme Court ruling looms
Seoul stalls trade talks, wary of Japan-style deal while awaiting US court decision on Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs
September 15, 2025
Favorability divide widens between South Korea and Japan amid Tokyo turmoil
Poll shows rising South Korean goodwill but entrenched Japanese skepticism, complicating Lee Jae-myung’s outreach
September 12, 2025
ICE raid fallout and Lee Jae-myung marks his 100 days in office — Ep. 97
The Korea Pro team unpacks the US raid on Hyundai-LG, President Lee’s first 100 days and key events to watch next week
September 12, 2025
Lee Jae-myung warns US of investment risk without visa, tariff fix
In his 100-day address, South Korean leader cautioned that continued bottlenecks will slow multibillion-dollar projects
September 12, 2025
Alliance tested as US detains South Koreans in Georgia amid trade promises
South Korean outrage grows as Washington courts Korean capital without offering legal protections for workers
September 11, 2025
South Korea’s record job gains hide a worsening youth employment crisis
Youth jobs fell for 16th straight month in August, underscoring structural issues that Seoul’s AI push can’t mask
September 10, 2025
Lee Jae-myung slams 15.9% loan rates for South Korea’s most vulnerable borrowers
Rising household debt and pressure on non-bank lenders heighten concerns over risks of political intervention in lending
September 10, 2025
