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The latest news, analysis and opinion on Seoul. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Head of Government
Mayor Oh Se-hoon
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping as they attend a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Beijing, China, in this picture released by the Korean Central News Agency on September 4. Photo: KCNA via Reuters
Diplomacy

Opinion | Why China now needs North Korea’s denuclearisation

As optimism grows over an end to the Ukraine war, a weakening of Moscow’s support for Pyongyang may give Beijing new leverage to stabilise the Korean peninsula.

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Asia housing and property

The View | 3 factors Asia’s real estate investors must watch in 2026

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North Korea

‘Gang of hooligans’: rebuke from North Korea signals icy ties with South

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World of performing arts

Frozen, Spirited Away among shows lighting up Seoul’s theatre stages in 2026

Broadway imports Hell’s Kitchen and Lempicka, novel adaptation Arang and musical Six also among the South Korean capital’s highlights.

Mone Kamishiraishi performs in a production of the Japanese musical “Spirited Away”. The stage adaptation is among a host of blockbuster imports and ambitious original works lighting up Seoul’s theatre stages in 2026, including Frozen, Billy Elliot, Hell’s Kitchen, Lempicka, Arang and Six. Photo: courtesy of Johan Persson
China-South Korea relations

North Korea: the elephant in the room when Xi met Lee in Beijing

Lee Jae Myung and Xi Jinping found common ground on ‘one China’ but there was no word on what to do about Pyongyang.

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South Korea

South Korea’s proposed foreign crime bill sparks xenophobia fears

Critics say a bill to publish crime stats on foreign nationals stigmatises immigrants and ignores data showing their lower crime rates.

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South Korea

South Korea’s conservatives attempt break from Yoon with martial law apology

Yoon Suk-yeol’s former ruling party has offered a belated mea culpa, but critics see the move as nothing more than a cynical election ploy.

A supporter of South Korea’s ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol attends a rally in Seoul last month marking the first anniversary of his short-lived declaration of martial law. Photo: AFP
China-North Korea relations

China’s role in Korean peninsula stability tested amid nuclear submarine moves

Seoul’s calls for Chinese mediation seen to underscore Beijing’s central role in preserving stability between two Koreas.

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North Korea nuclear crisis

Opinion | As denuclearisation stalls, China will shape stability on Korean peninsula

South Korean leader’s Beijing visit makes clear need to manage inter-Korean tensions and establish stability en route to denuclearisation.

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China trade

China, South Korea sign US$44 million in trade deals after years of friction

High-level summit strengthens bilateral ties after years of strained relations, as China shores up regional relationships amid row with Japan.

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(L-R) South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and his wife, Kim Hea Kyung take a selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, by using a Xiaomi smartphone following a state dinner in Beijing on Monday. Photo: EPA/Yonhap/South Korea Out
China-South Korea relations

Li Qiang and Lee Jae Myung back free trade and multilateralism in Beijing talks

In meeting with visiting South Korean president, Chinese premier calls for cooperation in AI, new energy and high-end manufacturing.

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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (left) shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: Handout
South Korea

South Korean ‘nation’s actor’ Ahn Sung-ki dies at 74

Ahn collected over 40 major movie awards in his lifetime, including winning the Grand Bell Awards for best actor five times.

China-South Korea relations

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung lands in Beijing with 200-strong delegation

State visit unfolds amid turbulent global landscape where South Korea must delicately navigate US-China rivalry and China-Japan tensions.

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China trade

China’s diplomatic divide: red carpet for Seoul, cold shoulder for Tokyo firms

While Tokyo’s corporate leaders stay home amid fallout from prime minister’s remarks on Taiwan, Beijing prepares to welcome South Korean president and top executives.

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A meeting between President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is expected in the coming days. Photo: Shutterstock
North Korea

Why North Korea’s Kim is hailing ‘invincible’ Russia ties in new year message

Kim praised North Korean troops fighting in the Ukraine war for their unwavering bravery for the sake of ‘the brotherly Russian people’.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un waving during an art performance celebrating the new year at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Thursday. Photo: EPA/KCNA
United States

World welcomes 2026 with fireworks, lightshows and hopes for peace

From Paris to Dubai to Sydney, crowds ring in the new year with exuberant celebrations.

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Australia

‘Not cowed’: Australia sees defiant start to 2026 after mass shooting

Many police officers openly carried rapid-fire rifles, a first for the popular annual fireworks display over Sydney’s Harbour Bridge.

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South Korea

Probe into South Korea’s Kim Keon-hee ends with ‘unresolved issues’

Analysts say the findings have raised questions about whether South Korea’s laws can deal with alleged abuses of power by a president’s spouse.

South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee leaves the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho district on August 12, after attending a court review on her arrest. Photo: Korea Times
Asia housing and property

The View | How AI helped Asia’s real estate sector pass the tariff stress test

While multiple factors are at play, this year’s tech exuberance helped the region’s property markets stay afloat.

Diplomacy

Opinion | Seoul holds the key to US-North Korea denuclearisation talks

South Korea is taking steps to cool tensions – from moving to opening joint military drills to consultations to easing up on immediate denuclearisation demands.

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South Korea

US to grant Seoul exception on nuclear submarine fuel supply

Seoul to formalise right to build nuclear-powered submarines via Aukus-style waiver requiring approval from Trump and US Congress.

US Navy officers stand aboard a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine in Western Australia in February. Photo: AFP
South Korea

Yoon’s ex-aides express ‘disbelief’ over South Korean martial law plan

The two aides’ testimonies give a rare insight into the thinking of the former president, who is charged with leading the ‘insurrection’.

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Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul, after then South Korea president Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on December 3, 2024. Photo: AFP
South Korea

‘Widespread cheating’ scandal hits South Korean universities amid AI concerns

Seoul National and Yonsei universities face new cheating scandals despite tighter controls, signalling need for stronger online exam and AI rules.

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China-South Korea relations

Blackpink for Ayumi? Why China may reward South Korea’s soft stance on Japan row

Beijing is reviving stalled trade talks with Seoul as the Lee administration breaks with Tokyo on Taiwan, and analysts say Chinese market access could be the geopolitical prize.

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South Korea

Worship to witch hunts: how South Korea’s fandoms turn on their idols

When stars shine brightest in the glare of publicity, the darkness that follows can feel absolute. This December, three more lights went out.

K-pop fans react during a concert in Seoul in 2023. Photo: AFP
South Korea

Viral golden logo find turns old AC units into hot property in South Korea

A YouTube video revealing a pure gold logo on certain LG air conditioners has sparked a nationwide hunt for the 20-year-old units.

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A gold shop owner examines gold letters taken from an LG air conditioner. Photo: YouTube/Ringring Unnie
South Korea

South Korea reopens debate on lifting ban on North Korean media

Lawmakers move to ease North Korean web access. Supporters cite freedom of information, but critics fear propaganda risks.

South Korea

South Korean court rules Yoon’s ‘self-coup’ illegal as walls close in

Judges are fast-tracking verdicts to beat statutory time limits, dashing the ex-president’s faint hopes of walking free early next year.

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