The Seoul Central District Court has scheduled January 16, 2026, as the ruling date for former impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's obstruction of arrest case. This case stems from allegations that he hindered investigators attempting to detain him in connection with his December 2024 martial law declaration.
South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace plans to invest $1 billion in an automated plant in the United States to produce propellants and 155mm artillery modular charge systems. This initiative aims to address US defense supply chain bottlenecks and enhance munitions production, with groundbreaking expected in Q3 2026 and full localization by 2030.
Acting US Ambassador Kevin Kim met with South Korean Foreign Ministry official Jeong Yeon-doo on December 10, 2025, to discuss North Korea policy. The meeting underscored the allies' 'very close' cooperation and coordination on denuclearization efforts and regional stability.
South Korea's presidential office has formed specialized task forces to advance working-level negotiations with the United States. Discussions will focus on the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, expanded uranium enrichment rights, and defense cost-sharing, following recent summit agreements between the two nations.
South Korea's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac confirmed on Sunday that Seoul is not considering adjusting joint military exercises with the United States to restart stalled inter-Korean dialogue. The statement clarifies the government's position amidst ongoing efforts to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and resume talks with Pyongyang, which has long denounced the drills as 'war rehearsals'.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is set to deliver a national address on December 3, 2025, commemorating the first anniversary of former President Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law declaration. The address will highlight the public's role in restoring democracy and vow to address unresolved 'acts of insurrection' related to the 2024 political crisis.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has called on South Korea to implement significant reforms to its carbon market, including electricity price pass-through and a robust market stabilization system, to boost efficiency and accelerate its net-zero ambitions. The recommendations are part of a new energy policy review.
The Republic of Korea has officially associated with Horizon Europe, the EU's €95.5 billion research and innovation framework program, marking it as the first Asian country to do so. This landmark agreement, signed on July 17, 2025, opens significant opportunities for South Korean researchers to collaborate with European partners on global challenges, with participation in Pillar II effective since January 1, 2025.
South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik met with Vietnam's top leader, General Secretary To Lam, in Hanoi on November 21, 2025. Discussions focused on bolstering support for South Korean companies operating in Vietnam, particularly in energy projects, and exploring Vietnam's potential role in easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The visit underscores the deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
South Korea has achieved a complete victory in its 13-year legal dispute with US private equity firm Lone Star Funds. An International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) annulment committee nullified a 2022 ruling that ordered South Korea to pay $216.5 million plus interest, effectively eliminating a 400 billion won liability.
South Korea's Kospi index experienced a significant downturn on November 14, 2025, falling by 3.81% to 4,011.57. The decline was primarily driven by a sharp sell-off in major technology shares and reduced expectations for a U.S. interest rate cut in December, following hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials.
A truck crashed into Jeil Market in Bucheon, South Korea, on Thursday, November 13, 2025, killing two women in their 70s and injuring 18 others. The driver, a man in his 60s, was arrested, claiming sudden unintended acceleration or brake failure. Police are investigating the exact cause.
A 99-tonne Chinese fishing boat capsized approximately 150 kilometers southwest of Eocheong Island, South Korea, on Monday, November 10, 2025. Two of the 11 crew members were rescued by a passing cargo ship, while nine remain missing. South Korean and Chinese authorities are cooperating in extensive search and rescue operations.
South Korean officials are advocating for the domestic construction of nuclear-powered submarines, despite recent statements from U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting they would be built in a U.S. shipyard. This debate follows a summit between President Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, highlighting Seoul's ambition to enhance its naval capabilities against North Korean threats.
A former U.S. military intelligence agent and an investigator have testified that ex-President Chun Doo-hwan ordered troops to shoot pro-democracy protesters during the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, an event that led to hundreds of deaths.
Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded a three-day state visit to South Korea, attending the APEC summit in Gyeongju and holding talks with President Lee Jae Myung on trade and denuclearization. The visit, Xi's first to South Korea in 11 years, also saw a significant meeting with US President Donald Trump.
President Donald Trump has approved South Korea's long-standing request to build nuclear-powered submarines, marking a significant shift in US policy. The announcement, made during Trump's visit to Gyeongju, South Korea, is part of a broader trade and defense agreement. The submarines, intended for conventional armament, will be constructed in US shipyards, with South Korea committing substantial investments.
NVIDIA, in collaboration with the South Korean government and major industrial partners including Samsung, SK Group, and Hyundai Motor Group, announced a massive deployment of over 260,000 NVIDIA GPUs. This initiative, unveiled at the APEC Summit, aims to significantly expand South Korea's AI infrastructure, fostering innovation across key industries and establishing the nation as a global AI hub.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump was awarded South Korea's highest medal, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, by President Lee Jae-myung on October 29, 2025. The honor recognizes Trump's diplomatic efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula, making him the first U.S. president to receive it.
A tragic incident at a zinc processing plant in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Saturday, October 25, 2025, resulted in the deaths of two workers and critical injuries to two others. The workers collapsed from suspected carbon monoxide inhalation while performing maintenance in an underground water tank. Authorities are investigating the cause.
