Asia Pacific Jul 14, 2022
South Korea politics roiled by pair sent to North and likely killed
South Korean prosecutors are investigating members of former President Moon Jae-in’s government over the 2019 forced repatriation of two North Koreans.
Commentary / World May 18, 2022
Will South Korea prosecute another president once again?
by Robert E. Kelly
Questions are being raised as to whether Moon Jae-in will be investigated for abuse of power, much like the presidents who came before him.
Commentary / World May 13, 2022
South Korea’s new president is likely a bland centrist, and that is OK
by Robert E. Kelly
The real divide between South Korea's right and left is over foreign policy. Change will be most evident here, and Japan particularly is likely to find a Yoon presidency easier.
Editorials May 13, 2022
A new president, a new opportunity for Japan-South Korea relations
Signs are encouraging for Tokyo. Throughout the presidential campaign, Yoon Suk-yeol criticized sitting President Moon Jae-in for letting Japan-South Korea relations deteriorate.
Asia Pacific Apr 22, 2022
North Korea's Kim offers rare praise for South's departing Moon
by Hyonhee Shin
Analysts are skeptical that the message heralds an improvement in relations and warn that the praise could be a bid to portray Moon's successor as responsible for any deterioration in ties.
National / Politics | ANALYSIS Mar 7, 2022
Can a new South Korean president rebuild Seoul's shattered ties with Tokyo?
by Jesse Johnson
While Yoon Suk-yeol has pledged not to exploit historical tensions with Japan for domestic political gain, Tokyo is likely to be skeptical no matter who wins Wednesday's election.
Asia Pacific / Politics Mar 7, 2022
Leader of South Korea's ruling party attacked ahead of presidential election
Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil was attacked in Seoul by a man wearing a traditional robe who approached him from behind and struck him on the head with a small hammer.
Asia Pacific / Politics | FOCUS Mar 5, 2022
Seoul is the world's ninth-largest arms exporter and has grabbed more than half of the market share for self-propelled artillery.
Asia Pacific / Politics Feb 15, 2022
Houses, scandals, missiles: The issues at stake in South Korea's presidential election
Discontent over the economic situation has driven away many young voters who initially backed Moon. They comprise a lost generation that many see emerging as the key voting bloc.
National | FOCUS Feb 14, 2022
Can South Korea's next president warm up Seoul's chilly ties with Tokyo?
by Ko Hirano
How far ruling party nominee Lee Jae-myung and main opposition candidate Yoon Seok-youl — the front-runners in the March 9 election — are willing to go to improve ties is an open question.
Asia Pacific / Politics Feb 12, 2022
Biden picks former sanctions enforcer as ambassador to South Korea
Philip Goldberg worked as coordinator for the implementation of United Nations sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear weapons and missile programs from 2009 to 2010.
Asia Pacific / Politics Feb 10, 2022
South Korea’s nuclear energy future is a new election battleground
by Heesu Lee
South Korea’s top presidential candidates are offering diverging visions on nuclear power, though both agree the nation must soften its plans to phase it out to meet climate targets.