Domestic Politics
South Korea launches record industrial fund for AI manufacturing push
Industry ministry expands state-backed industrial finance targeting advanced manufacturing and strategic sectors
May 19, 2026
Blue House’s Bloomberg fight exposes friction in South Korea’s AI strategy
Lee administration’s market reform agenda faces growing tension with debates over how AI-era gains should be distributed
May 18, 2026
South Korea warns of emergency intervention as Samsung strike nears
Government frames semiconductor disruption as economic and strategic risk ahead of resumed labor talks
May 18, 2026
Samsung strike crisis deepens tensions between labor and industrial policy
Lee administration faces growing pressure to balance labor rights, exports and semiconductor competitiveness goals
May 15, 2026
South Korea clarifies ‘AI dividend’ remarks after market selloff
Semiconductor shares tumble as investors question balance between Korea Premium push and redistribution rhetoric
May 13, 2026
Seoul mayoral race tests local governance model beyond district level
Chong Won-o seeks to scale Seongdong track record citywide as housing policy and central coordination take focus
May 8, 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
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 Korea pushes pet healthcare overhaul to unlock insurance market
State-led data standardization aims to expand coverage but faces resistance from veterinarians over pricing and control
May 1, 2026
Yoon sentencing push, Coupang sovereignty row and KF-21 concerns — Ep. 130
Legal developments in Seoul meet US pressure over Coupang and debate over South Korea’s defense industrial priorities
May 1, 2026
