Inter-Korean & Foreign Relations
Lee’s India trip recasts Korea ties around energy, industry and shared risk
Summit documents show Seoul treating India less as a future market than as a partner in resilience, logistics and supply
April 23, 2026
South Korea eases FTA rules to bring in Canadian crude oil supply
Alberta deal removes origin barriers and cuts tariffs, adding flexibility but not replacing core Middle East imports
April 22, 2026
South Korea-India summit tests whether ‘potential’ can finally deliver results
New committee and trade targets signal intent, but structural barriers still cloud implementation outlook
April 21, 2026
Trump taps Michelle Steel for South Korea envoy role amid regional strain
Seoul-born former lawmaker brings anti-China stance and campaign-style politics to a key US alliance post in Asia
April 20, 2026
South Korea, Europe expand FTA into supply chains and economic security
Seoul and Brussels deepen cooperation on tech and minerals while disputes over market access and regulation persist
April 20, 2026
Smart regulation push, Middle East diplomacy and defense continuity — Ep. 128
Vague reform agenda unfolds alongside oil supply efforts and continued U.S.-ROK coordination on defense
April 17, 2026
South Korea seeks oil cooperation with Brazil, Mexico amid supply risks
Seoul expands outreach to Latin America as it looks to secure crude beyond Middle East routes disrupted by conflict
April 17, 2026
South Korea faces export-readiness trade-off amid Gulf defense push
Oil deals with Saudi and UAE coincide with rising missile demand, exposing production limits and readiness trade-offs
April 16, 2026
South Korea secures oil supply, locking in higher costs and tighter logistics
Seoul locks in 273 million barrels and naphtha, but longer routes and logistics strain raise costs and delivery risks
April 15, 2026
Middle East disruption reshapes LNG shipping demand for South Korean yards
Korean shipbuilders gain pricing power from longer routes, though capacity limits delay earnings impact from new orders
April 14, 2026
