South Korea in April 2026: the most important developments in politics
In South Korea in April 2026, the most covered political story was the exchange with North Korea over drone flights. President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret that South Korean drones had entered North Korean airspace. On April 6 Kim Yo-jong called the apology a wise move, and on April 7 Kim Jong Un described Lee as frank and broad-minded. A North Korean official later called a statement by Kim Yo-jong a clear warning. Lee said he would pursue peaceful coexistence on the peninsula. South Korea's spy agency said it had credible intelligence that Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter was his likely successor. North Korea opened a memorial for its soldiers killed in the Ukraine war, and Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in Pyongyang on April 26. China's foreign minister visited North Korea on April 9 and 10.
The Iran war strained relations with Washington. Donald Trump called South Korea not helpful and criticised Seoul, Japan, Australia and NATO for not sending support to the Strait of Hormuz. Seoul said it would carefully review his complaints, and the defence minister said no US request had been received. Seoul welcomed the US-Iran ceasefire, named Chung Byung-ha as special envoy to Iran, announced humanitarian aid to Iran, and joined 43 other countries in talks on reopening the strait. Trump nominated former congresswoman Michelle Steel as US ambassador to South Korea. A dispute over US intelligence restrictions continued.
Lee made diplomatic trips and hosted leaders. Indonesia became Seoul's first Special Comprehensive Strategic Partner on April 1, and Lee and Macron held a summit. He agreed a comprehensive strategic partnership with Poland, visited India, and then Vietnam, where the two sides vowed to upgrade their partnership. Seoul protested Japan's renewed territorial claim to the Dokdo islets and expressed regret over an offering by Prime Minister Takaichi at the Yasukuni Shrine. Israel and Seoul clashed briefly over a video Lee reposted, and Israel later accepted South Korea's explanation.
In the courts, a special counsel sought a 10-year prison term for former president Yoon in an obstruction appeals trial, 15 years for Kim Keon-hee, and later a 30-year term for a former president. Appeal proceedings in Yoon's insurrection case began on April 27.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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