{"id":2208931,"date":"2025-03-31T11:35:40","date_gmt":"2025-03-31T02:35:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2208931"},"modified":"2025-04-01T15:36:21","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T06:36:21","slug":"south-korea-in-march-2025-a-month-in-review-and-whats-ahead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2025\/03\/south-korea-in-march-2025-a-month-in-review-and-whats-ahead\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea in March 2025: A month in review and what\u2019s ahead"},"content":{"rendered":"

About Month In Review
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Every month, <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span> delivers an authoritative analytical review of developments in South Korea, offering comprehensive coverage of political, economic and strategic shifts that shape the peninsula. <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span>‘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.<\/span><\/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.<\/span><\/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.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Table of Contents<\/strong> <\/span><\/div>\n
01<\/span>Executive Summary<\/span><\/span><\/a>02<\/span>Politics and Governance<\/span><\/span><\/a>03<\/span>Economy and Finance<\/span><\/span><\/a>04<\/span>Business and Trade<\/span><\/span><\/a>05<\/span>Foreign Relations<\/span><\/span><\/a>06<\/span>Defense and Security<\/span><\/span><\/a>07<\/span>Society and Culture<\/span><\/span><\/a>08<\/span>The Month Ahead<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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U.S. President Donald Trump meets with then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in in New York | Image: ROK Blue House (Sept. 2017), edited by Korea Pro<\/p><\/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> this March, the Constitutional Court reinstated Prime Minister Han Duck-soo while it continues to deliberate on President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s impeachment, deepening political polarization. A Seoul court approved Yoon\u2019s release from detention citing procedural flaws, while the Seoul High Court acquitted main opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung of election law violations in late March. Public opinion remained divided in leading polls, although they showed slightly stronger support for both impeachment and opposition-led regime change compared to February.<\/span><\/p>\n

South Korea\u2019s <\/span>economic<\/b> outlook darkened as the Bank of Korea (BOK) warned of slowing growth amid U.S. trade protectionism. Devastating wildfires across southeastern regions compounded inflation concerns in agricultural sectors. A surge in household lending revived housing market risks despite weak consumption, while the government\u2019s industrial stimulus package faced skepticism due to limited private sector enthusiasm.<\/span><\/p>\n

In <\/span>trade<\/b> relations, South Korean exporters were hit by significant U.S. tariffs on vehicles and auto parts, and ROK was notably excluded from exemptions offered to Canada and Mexico. Major corporations responded quickly and strategically, with Hyundai and Korean Air announcing substantial U.S. investments. American industry groups also intensified lobbying against Korean regulations on digital platforms, films and beef imports.<\/span><\/p>\n

Foreign relations<\/b> were complicated by the belated discovery that the U.S. Department of Energy had decided to designate South Korea as a \u201csensitive country\u201d in January during the final days of the Biden administration. The move triggered domestic controversy when revealed this month. Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of South Korea, Japan and China convened in Tokyo to prepare for a potential leadership summit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In defense news,<\/b> South Korean fighter jets mistakenly bombed a civilian town near the inter-Korean border, injuring civilians shortly ahead of a large-scale spring time joint exercise with U.S. forces. In Seoul, military officers involved in the Dec. 3 martial law faced dismissal following indictments for insurrection. South Korea this month joined NATO\u2019s Science & Technology Organization as the third Indo-Pacific member state as concerns about Trump\u2019s transactional approach to military alliances continued.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

South Korean <\/span>society<\/b> faced multiple crises as an unprecedented scale of wildfires devastated southeastern cities for days, destroying forests, structures and centuries-old historical sites. ROK authorities this month launched efforts against organized crime rings involving foreign nationals. Meanwhile, a major study revealed alarming suicide contemplation rates among socially isolated youth, particularly females. Labor forecasts warned of workforce shortages as demographics shift, with healthcare and social welfare sectors expanding while retail and food service industries contract due to automation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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An illustration of protestors gathered in front of a court | Image: 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