Domestic Politics
Preschool test ban forces South Korea’s English hagwons to rethink placement
New rules curb early selection but leave academies weighing how to group students after enrollment without formal exams
September 25, 2026
Lee’s Hormuz red line tests South Korea’s leverage in $350 billion US talks
Washington wants more allied support and Korean capital as Seoul tries to protect limits built into last year’s deal
September 22, 2026
Kang Hoon-sik resignation offer now tests Lee Jae Myung’s personnel reset
Chief of staff’s possible exit would answer pressure over failed nominations but cost Lee a key crisis manager
September 22, 2026
South Korea’s AI data center boom is colliding with the true cost of power
Samsung and SK Hynix rejected KEPCO’s grid bill, leaving Seoul to decide whether AI developers pay their share
September 21, 2026
Lee draws red line on South Korea’s military role around Strait of Hormuz
Seoul leaves room for stronger maritime protection while ruling out direct participation in the widening Iran war
September 21, 2026
Why South Korea cannot rebalance growth without stronger regional clusters
Lee’s 5+3 strategy aims to build regional scale, but past relocation policies show how difficult durable clusters are
September 18, 2026
Samsung, SK Hynix rejection exposes South Korea’s chip-grid financing problem
KEPCO’s $18.6 billion proposal shows how Seoul’s semiconductor push is colliding with grid costs and demand risk
September 17, 2026
Trump’s Cheongung social media post tests Seoul’s refusal to arm to Ukraine
Korean law does not bar wartime transfers outright, leaving readiness and Russia as stronger reasons for restraint
September 16, 2026
Lee Jae Myung risks public trust as South Korea rewires its justice system
Justice minister nominee’s reform credentials make him valuable even as controversies threaten confidence in overhaul
September 15, 2026
Lee Jae Myung stakes political capital on keeping South Korea fuel prices stable
Seoul is using refinery price caps, export controls and supply diversification to shield households from the oil shock
September 14, 2026
