search
Korea Times
Trends
- 1
The New York Times highlights what it calls a growing North Korea problem, pointing to mounting concerns over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile ambitions. With North Korea advancing its weapons programs and drawing international condemnation, the issue is increasingly seen as a pressing challenge for the United States, South Korea and their allies.
- 2North Korea declares nuclear status irreversibleโNorth Korea's Vice Foreign Minister: "Nuclear Weapon State Status Cannot Be Reversed by Anything"
North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister said the country's status as a nuclear weapon state 'cannot be reversed by anything', reaffirming Pyongyang's refusal to give up its arsenal. The statement comes amid continued stalemate in denuclearisation talks and mounting international pressure over North Korea's weapons programme and its alignment with Russia.
- 3South Korea blames North Korean mines for border blastsโผSouth Korea Says Border Blasts That Injured 3 Officers Was Likely Caused by North Korean Mines
South Korea's military says explosions along the border that injured three officers were most likely caused by North Korean landmines. The officers were hurt while working near the heavily fortified demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas. The finding is expected to add to already strained tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang, with officials assessing how the mines came to detonate in the area.
- 4South Korea-Ukraine relations sour over North Korean POW transferโSouth Korea, Ukraine relations sour over North Korean POW transfer
Diplomatic tensions have emerged between South Korea and Ukraine over the handling of North Korean prisoners of war captured while fighting alongside Russian forces. The dispute centres on the transfer of captured North Korean soldiers, an issue with sensitive implications for Seoul, which has expressed concern over the fate and treatment of its rival's citizens. The rift risks complicating cooperation between Kyiv and Seoul at a time when both face pressure from Russia and North Korea's deepening alliance.
- 5US missile system to be stored indefinitely at Okinawa baseโผA powerful U.S. missile system that has been deployed in Japan for joint military exercises with the Self-Defense Forces
A powerful U.S. missile system deployed in Japan for joint exercises with the Self-Defense Forces will be stored at a key military base in Okinawa Prefecture indefinitely from mid-October, according to The Japan Times. The move extends the American military footprint in the prefecture and is likely to draw attention from local communities concerned about the US presence, as well as from observers tracking regional security dynamics with China and North Korea.
- 6Seoul's distance from Taiwan conflict scenarios becoming harder to keepโAlthough Seoul has traditionally kept its distance from possible involvement in a Taiwan conflict scenario, some say dis
South Korea has traditionally avoided any suggestion of involvement in a potential conflict over Taiwan, keeping its policy deliberately vague to balance ties with the United States and China. Writing in The Japan Times, observers argue that maintaining this discretion is becoming increasingly difficult as regional tensions rise and pressure grows on Seoul to clarify its stance.
- 7A Growing North Korea ProblemโA Growing North Korea Problem https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/27/world/lee-jae-myung-north-korea-sanctions.html # WorldN
A New York Times report published under the headline 'A Growing North Korea Problem' examines the North Korea issue in connection with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and sanctions policy. Details beyond the headline are limited, but the piece frames Pyongyang as an increasingly difficult challenge for regional diplomacy and international sanctions enforcement.
- 8South Korea demands apology from Ukraine over North Korean PoW disclosureโผSouth Korea demands apology from Ukraine over disclosure of North Korean PoW transfer
South Korea has formally demanded an apology from Ukraine after Kyiv disclosed the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war, according to Reuters. The dispute centres on Seoul's objection to the public revelation of the PoW transfer, which touches on sensitive matters involving North Korean soldiers captured while fighting alongside Russian forces. The incident threatens friction between the two countries at a time when both are aligned in opposing Russia's invasion.
- 9South Korea tax windfall may top 50 trillion won on chip boomโผSouth Korea tax windfall could top 50 trillion won on chip boom - Yonhap
South Korea could collect more than 50 trillion won in extra tax revenue thanks to a surge in semiconductor exports, according to a Yonhap report carried by Yahoo Finance UK. The chip boom is lifting corporate profits and, with them, government receipts. The figure would give Seoul additional fiscal room at a time of budget pressure.
- 10South Korea's finance minister and BOK chief vow policy coordinationโ(LEAD) Finance minister, BOK chief stress coordination to address uncertainties
South Korea's finance minister and the governor of the Bank of Korea have emphasized the need for close coordination between fiscal and monetary policy to address economic uncertainties. Yonhap News Agency reported the comments, which highlight government and central bank alignment at a time of volatility in currency, rates and global trade conditions. No further details were given in the report.
- 11
South Korea is pursuing a broad national strategy to make artificial intelligence widely accessible across its economy and society. The Financial Times reports on the country's push to scale AI adoption beyond big companies, positioning it as a key driver of future growth. The plan reflects Seoul's ambition to remain competitive as AI reshapes global industries.
- 12Scammers impersonate financial chiefs to lure retail investorsโผScammers impersonate financial chiefs to lure retail investors online
Fraudsters are posing as senior financial officials and executives to trick retail investors online, according to a report by The Korea Times. The scammers reportedly use the credibility of well-known financial figures to persuade ordinary investors into handing over money through fraudulent schemes. The report highlights growing concern over impersonation scams targeting small investors on digital platforms.
- 13
South Korea's finance minister and the central bank governor held a meeting in Seoul, according to Seoul Economic Daily. No details of the agenda or outcomes have been reported. Such meetings typically cover economic policy coordination, but no specifics are available at this time.
- 14Semiconductors Behind Nearly 40% of Korean Tech LeaksโNearly 4 in 10 Korean industrial technology leaks involve semiconductors: data
New data reported by The Korea Times shows that nearly 40% of South Korea's industrial technology leak cases involve semiconductor technologies. The figure highlights how heavily the country's flagship chip industry is targeted for industrial espionage, reinforcing concerns in Seoul about protecting critical technologies amid intense global competition over semiconductors.
- 15Researchers Develop Real-Time Monitoring for Parkinson's TreatmentsโResearchers develop technology for real-time monitoring of Parkinson's treatments
Researchers have developed technology that allows real-time monitoring of Parkinson's disease treatments, according to The Korea Times. The system could let doctors track how patients respond to medication as it happens, potentially improving how therapy is adjusted for the progressive neurological disorder, which affects millions worldwide and currently relies largely on subjective symptom assessment.
- 16
Uruguay defeated South Korea in a friendly international in Seoul, with Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur leading his side to a big win. Son Heung-min scored to pull level as South Korea's joint all-time leading men's goalscorer, but Kim Min-jae was involved in conceding a third goal and said he 'wants to cry'. Lee Kang-in made his debut under new coach Moreno, who defended using him in his usual position.
- 17
South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean has secured a new order worth 680 billion won, according to a market news report. The deal adds to the company's order book at a time of strong demand for ships and growing attention on South Korea's shipbuilding industry. Details on the client and vessel type were not disclosed in the initial report.
- 18The paradox of deterrence: peace through military strengthโผThe paradox of deterrence: Why peace strategy requires focused military
The Korea Times argues that lasting peace depends on a credible, focused military posture, presenting deterrence as a paradox: preparing for war is framed as the surest way to prevent one. The piece comes amid ongoing debate over defense strategy and security policy, and it is drawing attention as readers weigh the balance between diplomatic engagement and military readiness.
- 19South Korea's Single-Stock Leveraged ETF Trading Plunges 92%โผSouth Korea's Single-Stock Leveraged ETF Trading Plunges 92% as Retail Investors Get Trapped in 'Negative Compounding' Quagmire
Trading in single-stock leveraged ETFs in South Korea has collapsed by 92%, with retail investors described as being trapped in a 'negative compounding' quagmire. The leveraged products, which amplify daily moves in individual stocks, are said to erode returns over time through compounding effects, leaving small traders with heavy losses and sharply reduced market activity in these instruments.