South Korea

The economy is dominated by a surge in AI semiconductor demand, driving record profits for Samsung. This is evidenced by the company's forecast and reports of a huge profit jump, alongside its owner family completing a major inheritance tax payment. Supply chain concerns are present, with the chief of staff seeking oil and naphtha supplies abroad and a display shortage affecting product pricing.

• 19Samsung forecasts record profit as demand for AI chips surges
• 15Samsung inks Mercedes EV battery deal at transition time for Hungary plant
• 9Labor unrest at Samsung may worsen memory chip supply issues
• 7Samsung admits key smartphone component flaw
• 6Lee’s chief of staff heads to Kazakhstan, Oman, Saudi for oil, naphtha supplies

Politics is defined by active diplomatic engagement and a major domestic legal proceeding. President Lee held summits with French and Polish leaders to strengthen partnerships, while the government protested Japan's claims over Dokdo. Concurrently, the special counsel sought a 10-year prison term for ex-President Yoon in his appeals trial, and the government assessed North Korean leadership dynamics.

• 19North Korea welcomes South Korea's expression of regret over drone flights
• 11South Korean and French leaders hold summit to strengthen partnership
• 9Kim Jong Un praises South Korean president after drone apology
• 8N. Korea Opens Memorial for N. Korean Soldiers Killed in Ukraine War
• 4Foreign Ministry to Name Former Ambassador to Kuwait Chung Byung-ha as Special Envoy to Iran - KBS WORLD News

Security is under direct pressure from North Korea's intensified weapons testing. Pyongyang fired multiple ballistic missiles and tested new weapons including cluster-bomb warheads and electronic warfare capabilities, with the UN watchdog noting its boosted nuclear arms-making ability. Secondary concerns include a foreign policy-induced maritime risk in the Strait of Hormuz and a major defense export deal with Finland.

• 24North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles in two rounds of tests
• 8American YouTuber jailed in South Korea for public nuisance stunts
• 6UN watchdog reports North Korea is expanding its nuclear weapons production capacity
• 4Music executive behind K-pop group BTS faces arrest in South Korea
• 4Gov't Checking Whether South Korean Oil Tankers Can Pass Through Strait of Hormuz

Society is polarized by the government's vocal stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, which has escalated into a major diplomatic clash. President Lee's remarks on civilian killings and the sharing of a video depicting Palestinian child abuse prompted official regret from the Ministry and enraged Tel Aviv, dominating the societal discourse.

• 3Samsung Rally Draws 30,000 to Demand Greater Share of AI Profits
• 3How South Korea is using K-beauty trend to boost soft power
• 2[Exclusive] Korea’s universities rank high, but remain globally inward-looking: QS founder
• 2Massive Union Rally to Close 8-Lane Road at Samsung Pyeongtaek Campus
• 2Runaway wolf in South Korea inspires meme coin and presidential concern