{"id":2208568,"date":"2025-03-03T12:32:53","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T03:32:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2208568"},"modified":"2025-03-03T16:35:15","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T07:35:15","slug":"south-korea-in-february-2025-a-month-in-review-and-whats-ahead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2025\/03\/south-korea-in-february-2025-a-month-in-review-and-whats-ahead\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea in February 2025: A month in review and what\u2019s ahead"},"content":{"rendered":"

About Month In Review\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Every month, Korea Pro delivers an authoritative analytical review of developments in South Korea, offering comprehensive coverage of political, economic and strategic shifts that shape the peninsula. Korea Pro’s Month in Review serves as an essential resource for policymakers, business leaders and analysts seeking to navigate South Korea\u2019s quickly-changing dynamics and stay ahead of the curve.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

This detailed report examines key events from the previous month, providing actionable intelligence and expert analysis across six critical domains: politics and governance, economy and finance, trade and business, foreign relations, defense and security and society and culture.<\/em><\/p>\n

Our team of specialists combines deep local knowledge with strategic insight to deliver nuanced analysis of both immediate developments and long-term trends. Each section features thorough examination of primary indicators, risk assessments and forward-looking analysis, complemented by data and other primary source information. The report concludes with a succinct outlook for the month ahead, identifying crucial events and emerging trends that will influence South Korea\u2019s trajectory.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Table of Contents<\/div>\n
01<\/span>Executive Summary<\/span><\/a>02<\/span>Politics and Governance<\/span><\/a>03<\/span>Economy and Finance<\/span><\/a>04<\/span>Business and Trade<\/span><\/a>05<\/span>Foreign Relations<\/span><\/a>06<\/span>Defense and Security<\/span><\/a>07<\/span>Society and Culture<\/span><\/a>08<\/span>The Month Ahead<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
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South Korea’s eight Constitutional Court justices preside over President Yoon Suk-yeol’s fourth impeachment hearing | Image: ROK Constitutional Court (Jan. 23, 2025), edited by Korea Pro<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Executive<\/p>\n

Executive Summary<\/h4>\n

Jeongmin Kim<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In South Korean <\/span>domestic politics<\/b> in February, the Constitutional Court wrapped up hearings for President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment trial, with a decision expected before mid-March. Public opinion remains divided on impeachment, with polls showing majority support for Yoon\u2019s impeachment while a significant minority opposes it. Unlike January\u2019s focus on the impeachment vote itself, February saw conservative voters\u2019 attention shift to the trial\u2019s legitimacy and the Constitutional Court\u2019s impartiality.<\/span><\/p>\n

South Korea\u2019s <\/span>economy<\/b> faced challenges, with the Bank of Korea slashing growth forecasts to 1.5%. The central bank reduced interest rates by a quarter percentage point, but it faces a policy dilemma due to inflation concerns and the interest gap with U.S. rates. Consumer sentiment rose but remains below pre-martial law crisis levels. Meanwhile, main opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung\u2019s suggestion that the party adopt a \u201ccentrist-conservative\u201d stance in economic and other policy matters triggered internal discord.<\/span><\/p>\n

In <\/span>business and trade<\/b>, U.S. tariffs severely impacted South Korean steel and electric vehicles as the Trump administration removed previous import exemptions for the ROK. Concurrently, China\u2019s rare metal export controls threaten the country\u2019s semiconductor and defense industries. However, the Korea-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Free Trade Agreement moved toward ratification, promising expanded market access. Meanwhile, Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong was acquitted of merger fraud charges.<\/span><\/p>\n

South Korea\u2019s <\/span>foreign relations<\/b> progressed slowly in February. The first U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral meeting under Trump\u2019s second administration notably supported Taiwan\u2019s participation in international organizations. South Korea\u2019s vote for the U.S.-proposed U.N. resolution on the war in Ukraine revealed diplomatic tensions, as Seoul supported the resolution while expressing regret about the resolution\u2019s omission of explicitly condemning Russia for instigating the conflict.<\/span><\/p>\n

In <\/span>defense<\/b>, South Korea launched a new Task Fleet Command and deployed the Korean Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile system. Meanwhile thirty senior military officers, including 17 generals, are under investigation for their roles in Yoon\u2019s Dec. 3 martial law declaration.<\/span><\/p>\n

February highlighted persistent <\/span>social<\/b> challenges, including a fatal elementary school stabbing incident that prompted legislation on teachers\u2019 mental health monitoring. Demographics show declining life satisfaction, rising suicide rates and record low school enrollment figures.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung | Image: Democratic Party of Korea<\/a>, edited by Korea Pro<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Politics<\/p>\n

Politics and Governance<\/h4>\n

Jeongmin Kim<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

KEY DEVELOPMENTS<\/b><\/p>\n