The United States and South Korea have reached an agreement to provide practical support for the smooth entry of Korean workers investing in the U.S., addressing prior visa challenges. This move aims to facilitate significant South Korean investments and strengthen economic ties following recent immigration concerns.
The Republic of Korea Armed Forces are set to deploy the Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile, a penetrating-type short-range weapon, by late 2025. This 'monster missile' features an 8-ton conventional warhead designed to neutralize deeply buried targets, bolstering South Korea's non-nuclear deterrence strategy against North Korea's escalating threats.
South Korea is pursuing a currency swap with the US Treasury Department's Exchange Stabilization Fund (ESF) to secure dollar liquidity. This move is part of efforts to cushion the foreign exchange impact of a proposed $350 billion investment in the US, linked to a tariff reduction deal, following difficulties in securing a Federal Reserve swap line.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are slated for state visits to South Korea during the APEC Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, October 31-November 1, 2025. These high-profile engagements are anticipated to significantly boost the diplomatic standing of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
South Korea will acquire four **Bombardier Global 6500** aircraft from **L3Harris Technologies** for its next-generation airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) program. The **$2.2 billion** deal, featuring **ELTA EL/W-2085 radar**, aims to bolster aerial surveillance and intelligence gathering capabilities by **2032**.
More than 300 South Korean nationals, detained in a large-scale US immigration raid at a Hyundai-LG battery plant construction site in Ellabell, Georgia, have returned home via a chartered plane. The September 4 raid led to 475 arrests over alleged visa violations and unlawful employment practices, sparking diplomatic discussions between the two nations.
South Korea has secured its highest-ever ranking of 4th globally in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII), published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The nation, which climbed from 6th place last year, is recognized for its strong innovation capabilities, particularly in human capital and research, and leads Asia in innovation.
South Korea has pledged a $150 billion investment into a dedicated fund to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry. This initiative, part of a larger $350 billion bilateral trade agreement, aims to upgrade American shipyards, enhance workforce training, and rebuild supply chains, while also addressing U.S. tariffs.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, reaching tentative agreements to build two new data centers in the country. These facilities, in partnership with Samsung Electronics and SK Group, will support OpenAI's global Stargate project and bolster South Korea's AI infrastructure.
The South Korean National Assembly has passed a bill to rename several parliamentary committees, including the Strategy and Finance Committee and the Environment and Labor Committee. The move, driven by the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, aligns with a broader government reorganization despite strong opposition from the People Power Party.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stated on September 25, 2025, that North Korea is in the 'final stage' of developing intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons to the United States, with only re-entry technology remaining to be mastered. The warning was issued during his visit to New York for the UN General Assembly.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has indicated a willingness to resume talks with the United States, but only if Washington abandons its demands for denuclearization. The statement, made during a recent Supreme People's Assembly session, highlighted Kim's 'fond memories' of former President Donald Trump, while rejecting dialogue with South Korea.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced plans for discussions with Japan regarding the nation's potential entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). A key point of contention is South Korea's import ban on Japanese fishery products.
