Inter-Korean & Foreign Relations
Energy shock splits corporate Korea into winners and losers
Import price surge and supply disruption create uneven earnings outcomes between exporters and fuel-intensive industries
May 12, 2026
US and South Korea deepen shipbuilding and strategic investment talks
Seoul discusses project financing, energy cooperation and industrial coordination ahead of Trump-Xi summit
May 12, 2026
Seoul faces rising pressure after South Korean-linked ship strike in Hormuz
Officials avoid blaming Iran for attack so far, wary of expected pressure to join U.S.-led maritime operations
May 11, 2026
Seoul probe concludes ‘unidentified’ flying object struck Korean ship in Hormuz
The Iranian ambassador was seen headed to the foreign ministry, though authorities have not named actor behind strike
May 11, 2026
Haegung export signals South Korea’s pivot to plug-in defense sales model
Malaysia contract opens new markets while shifting integration and export decisions beyond Seoul’s control
May 7, 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 Korean ship fire raises the stakes for Seoul in Middle East war
Trump’s claim of Iranian strike leaves Lee balancing maritime security, citizen safety and alliance pressure
May 5, 2026
UAE’s exit from OPEC puts South Korea between two key Gulf partners
Energy supply disruption raises stakes in managing ties with Abu Dhabi and Riyadh without alienating either
May 4, 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
South Korea in April 2026: A month in review and what’s ahead
An analytical look at the main developments from April 1 to 24, 2026, and key outlook for May 2026
April 30, 2026
