By Ji-Woo Park
Seoul-based correspondent covering the peninsula, from Blue House politics to North Korea.
Samsung's $560K bonuses aim to keep chip engineers from China
Samsung is offering bonuses up to $560,000 to keep chip engineers from defecting to Chinese rivals. A parliamentary audit found at least 27
South Korea's hypersonic test confronts North Korea's nuclear depth
South Korea conducted its first flight test of a domestically developed hypersonic glide vehicle, aiming to bolster autonomous deterrence ag
South Korea's Lee must balance diplomacy with deterrence after DMZ incident
A landmine explosion in the DMZ has highlighted the fragility of inter-Korean relations. President Lee Jae-myung's peace initiative depends
South Korea's double standard on inherited political guilt
Actress Ha Young faced career ruin over her great-grandfather's colonial-era ties, while Moon Geun-young survived similar attacks. The contr
South Korea's rapid aging offers a stark preview for the region
South Korea's over-65 population surpassed 20% in 2024, making it a super-aged society in just 24 years. With the world's highest old-age po
South Korea's bold plan to give every citizen free AI access
South Korea plans to give every citizen free, unlimited access to AI chatbots and public service agents by the end of the year. The move is
Trump's Korea troop moves echo a long history of US pullback attempts
Trump's move to reduce US participation in military exercises with South Korea is not unprecedented. Past presidents, including Jimmy Carter
South Korea rethinks its reliance on the US alliance
South Korea's ruling party says the era of relying solely on the US is over. The statement reflects a growing debate over Seoul's strategic
North Korea's Kang Kon destroyer signals shift to blue-water naval power
North Korea has commissioned the Kang Kon, its second modern guided-missile destroyer, at Wonsan. The vessel is part of a broader push to de
South Korea's path to strategic autonomy after Trump's UFS cut
Trump's unilateral decision to scale back Ulchi Freedom Shield has shattered trust in US extended deterrence. Seoul now faces an urgent choi
South Korea's AI ambitions need openness, not conformity
South Korea is pouring hundreds of billions into AI, but can't out-scale China. Its real edge is openness—yet a recent celebrity scandal sho
Seoul's economy under strain as Trump shifts US priorities away from Asia
President Lee Jae-myung's government is reeling from Trump's demands for $350 billion and his decision to scrap US-South Korea military exer