Politics

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and South Korean Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup, left to right, are slated to meet in Singapore in June. (Source photos by AP, South Korea's presidential transition committee)
International relations

Japan, U.S., South Korea defense chiefs to meet in June

Inauguration of new South Korean president opens door to rapprochement with Tokyo

19 May 2022
New South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers his inaugural address in Seoul on May 10. (Yonhap via Kyodo)
The Nikkei View

Yoon should handle Japan-South Korea ties with a global mind

Only a comprehensive settlement based on trust can break the current stalemate

11 May 2022
Under newly inaugurated President Yoon Suk-yeol, South Korea is expected to shift its diplomatic focus toward the U.S. and Japan. (Pool via Reuters)
International relations

Yoon era stokes hope in Japan for better South Korea relations

But politics in Seoul present headwinds for trilateral cooperation with U.S.

11 May 2022
Yoon Suk-yeol is sworn in as South Korea's new president in Seoul on May 10.
Politics

Yoon Suk-yeol sworn in, hints at denuclearization perks for North

Novice South Korean president trumpets economic freedom as headwinds swell

10 May 2022
Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a campaign in Seoul on March 8: He must acknowledge that gender discrimination exists. 
Opinion

Yoon Suk-yeol needs to change the way South Korea treats women

New president must show that he believes in women's empowerment

10 May 2022
South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol has to stave off accelerating inflation and deal with North Korea's escalation of missile launches. (Source photos by AP, Reuters and AFP/Jiji) 
Politics

South Korea's new president faces threats from North and inflation

First diplomatic test for Yoon Suk-yeol will be visit of Joe Biden

9 May 2022
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has an unusually high 45% approval rating in the last days of his term.
Politics

Moon to leave office with progressive fans and thin track record

South Korean leader sparks controversy by reining in prosecutors before exit

6 May 2022
Yun Duk-min served as the chancellor of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy and is also well-versed in North Korean affairs. (Photo by Yosuke Onchi)
International relations

South Korea's next president eyes Japan expert as Tokyo envoy

Yun Duk-min served as foreign policy adviser during Yoon's campaign

5 May 2022
South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol faces growing concern at the state of the economy. In the background, the banners at an April protest in Seoul read "Secure better jobs and the right to work without discrimination."
Asia Insight

Yoon Suk-yeol: Self-styled crusader for justice vows South Korea shake-up

Prosecutor-turned-president's pious upbringing instilled sense of good versus evil

3 May 2022
A worker carries construction materials through a Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea.
Engineering & Construction

South Korea shipbuilders rue job cuts as LNG tanker demand surges

Government to offer more visas for welders and painters to ease labor shortage

30 April 2022
The rush for tech M&As in Asia has slowed to a crawl in China and South Korea. (Source photos by Reuters)
26 April 2022
Lee Jun-seok, the 37-year-old leader of the People Power Party, has been the driving force behind a written exam to help decide the party's candidates for an upcoming vote.
South Korea election

Testing times: South Korean aspiring politicians sit written exam

Brainchild of young party leader, tests come ahead of key local elections

24 April 2022
The IMF expects global gross domestic product to expand 3.6% in 2022, down from the 4.4% predicted in January -- before Russia invaded Ukraine and before lockdowns in China. (Source photos by Reuters) 
Economy

IMF cuts emerging Asia growth estimate on war, COVID lockdowns

Warns of 'significant slowdown' in global economic expansion

19 April 2022
South Korea's President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, right, and Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Koichi Aiboshi meet in Seoul on March 28. (Yonhap/Kyodo)
Comment

Will Japan rebuff overture from South Korea's new leader?

Yoon's circle fears Tokyo's intransigence could kill chance of diplomatic thaw

17 April 2022
 South Korean and American flags fly next to each other at Yongin, South Korea.
Politics

South Korea's Yoon taps U.S. alliance champion as foreign minister

Park Jin also advocates stronger relations with Tokyo

14 April 2022
Containers are stacked at the Chinese port of Qingdao. Chinese imports from Russia grew 26% in March. (Xinhua via Kyodo)
Trade

China, South Korea lift Russian energy imports, eroding sanctions

Even countries opposing Moscow take advantage of discounts

14 April 2022
President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol visits Camp Humphreys, an American military base in South Korea, on April 7. Yoon had called for cooperation with the U.S. and Japan during his campaign.
Indo-Pacific

South Korea seeks to attend Quad summit as observer in May

President-elect Yoon weighs separate talks with Kishida and Biden in Japan

14 April 2022
Maxar satellite imagery of North Korea's nuclear testing site at Punggye-ri.
N Korea at crossroads

Satellite images show North Korea's path back to nuclear testing

Tunnel work and construction point to restoration of Punggye-ri facility

13 April 2022
South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is set to tackle the country's rising consumer price index, which hit a 10-year high in March.
Economy

Yoon shows will to tighten South Korea's finances, stem inflation

Incoming finance and infrastructure ministers target consumer, home prices

12 April 2022
Samsung renamed phones including the Galaxy Z Flip in some markets after the letter "Z" became associated with support for the invasion of Ukraine.
Electronics

Samsung caught between rock and a hard place on Russia

Withdrawing would risk losing smartphone lead to China after years of investment

8 April 2022
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
Ukraine war

NATO, Asia-Pacific partners agree to bolster cooperation

Cyber defense, new technologies and countering disinformation will become focus

8 April 2022
This photo released on March 25 shows what North Korean state media says is the Hwasong-17 ICBM on its launch vehicle. (KCNA via Reuters)
Comment

North Korea's Kim dynasty nears long-cherished ICBM goal

With Hwasong-17, Pyongyang might acquire ability to threaten Washington

6 April 2022
LG Energy Solution drew interest from investors thanks to the growth potential of its batteries for electric vehicles.
IPO

Asia's IPO market bucks global slump thanks to megadeals

South Korea's LG Energy was largest Q1 debut but market volatility clouds outlook

4 April 2022
South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, left, and his nominee for prime minister, Han Duck-soo, attend a news conference in Seoul on Sunday.
Politics

Yoon's PM pick points to closer South Korea-U.S. ties

Han Duck-soo, former envoy to Washington, seen as best U.S. expert of his time

4 April 2022
The Bank of Korea is without a governor ahead of a monetary policy meeting on April 14.
South Korea election

South Korea central bank's top seat caught in Moon-Yoon feud

Post remains empty as president-elect faces bitterly divided government

1 April 2022