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South Korea
South Korea
Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on South Korea, covering politics, economy, society, K-pop and Seoul’s relationships with North Korea, Japan, China and the United States.
Capital
Seoul
Head of State
Lee Jae-myung
Lee Jae Myung
Head of Government
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok
People wait to refuel their vehicles near a fuel station in Dhaka on Monday. Bangladesh launched fuel rationing on Sunday. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Asia sees violence, fuel rationing, queues as energy crunch over war hits

In Bangladesh a man was killed and the military has been deployed, while lines have formed elsewhere too, as many nations rely on imports.

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Korean peninsula

‘Terrible consequences’: North Korea hits out over US-South Korea drills

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks rebound after oil falls as Trump says Iran war could end soon

Energy

South Korea pulls rare move in bid to shield residents from Iran oil shock

As a nation that imports nearly every drop of oil it consumes, South Korea is hitting the panic button to shield citizens from rising prices.

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A board shows prices as cars queue at a petrol station in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Asia travel

K-tourism 2.0: Gen Z tourists prefer singing, dancing immersive holidays

K-pop and K-culture are driving a rise in tourism in South Korea, and many Gen Z visitors are opting for immersive experiences.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Investment firms remain upbeat on deals despite geopolitical tensions, bankers say

Private equity, sovereign funds and family offices are sitting on record stocks of dry powder even as geopolitical risks cloud the global outlook.

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US-China relations

Taiwan tensions No 1 in Beijing’s top 10 geopolitical risks of 2026: think tank

Most consequential external security variable may be uncertainty in the US ahead of the midterm elections in November, report warns.

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A report has identified escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait as the most pressing external security concern for Beijing. Photo: AP
Korean peninsula

US begins large military exercise with South Korea while attacking Iran

Thousands of troops begin annual drills amid speculation over US Patriot redeployment to the Middle East.

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks slump alongside Asian markets after oil crosses US$100

Brent crude jumps over 20 per cent to trade at around US$110 a barrel, prompting investors to further reduce risk exposure.

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China's military weapons

Why have China’s arms imports plummeted 72% over the past 5 years?

Neighbours in Asia and Oceania increase their overseas weapons purchases amid ‘fears over China’s intentions’.

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China’s share of global arms imports is waning as it uses more of its own technology. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
My Take

My Take | An America in decline will keep losing wars to weaker foes – including in Iran

When battles become a matter of choice rather than necessity or survival, US leaders have a preternatural ability to choose badly and undermine their own country.

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This photo taken on March 3, 2026 shows a view of the damaged Golestan Palace in Tehran, Iran. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was partially damaged in air raids during US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Photo: Xinhua
North Korea

Opinion | Under Kim Jong-un, North Korea is burying the dream of reunification

The Workers’ Party Congress signals a different form of “liberation” – securing regime survival through nuclear deterrence, not the liberation of the Korean peninsula.

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Wine and Spirits

Q&A | Troye Sivan on wine, creativity and working with people he loves

The Tsu Lange Yor founder on designing limited edition pieces, why wine taps the same creativity as music, and his pride in his homeland.

China’s private sector

From oil to saffron: how US-Iran conflict is rattling Chinese retail investors

Retail investors on Chinese platforms probe companies about supply-chain risks and opportunities as tensions escalate in the Middle East.

Supply chain disruptions tied to the conflict could affect everything from fertiliser imports to pharmaceutical products containing saffron. Photo AFP
Vietnam

In Vietnam’s Da Nang, South Korean tourism boom meets growing resentment

The coastal city has become a hub for Korean tourists and businesses, but workers and residents say the boom has also exposed frictions.

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A couple runs along the seafront next to the beach in Da Nang, central Vietnam, last year. Photo: AFP
Iran

Seoul’s missile shield vs Iranian barrage: the fight to protect UAE’s skies

Abu Dhabi wants faster Cheongung-II missile battery deliveries from Seoul amid 96 per cent interception success against Iranian attacks.

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Boao Forum for Asia

Exclusive | Singapore, South Korea PMs to attend Boao Forum this month

The two join a growing string of leaders from developed and regional economies who have visited China this year.

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Korea Times

Showcase your Korean and compete for prizes in language speaking contest

Running until May 7, The Korea Times’ Korean Language Speaking Contest is split into speech and pronunciation categories.

The Korea Times’ Korean Language Speaking Contest, which is open to foreign nationals and overseas Koreans who are not native Korean speakers, is divided into two categories: speech and pronunciation. Photo: Shutterstock
Qatar

Qatar’s LNG halt exposes Asia’s energy vulnerability

Analysts say the turmoil underscores Asia’s need to shift to renewable energy, as nations scramble for alternatives amid the disruption.

Korean drama reviews

Review | Boyfriend on Demand: AI dating K-drama with Jisoo is too conventional

Blackpink singer stars opposite Seo In-guk as woman dating AI-generated men in a show hampered by its adherence to the K-drama romcom model.

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Arctic

Middle powers Canada, South Korea set Arctic course between China-Russia and US

Seoul’s security agreement with Ottawa is also a ‘hedge’ against a transactional Washington, an analyst says.

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Melting sea ice triggered by climate change has increased the region’s strategic importance as the shortest shipping lane between the Asia-Pacific and Europe. Photo: Getty Images
US, Israel war on Iran

South Korea uneasy as US weighs moving air defences to Middle East

Fears are growing in Seoul that shifting US Patriot and THAAD missiles to fight Iran could leave it vulnerable to North Korea.

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US and South Korean soldiers take part in a joint river-crossing exercise as part of the Freedom Shield military drills in March 2025. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks record steepest weekly slump in 4 months on US-Iran war

For the week, the Hang Seng Index fell 3.3 per cent, the worst weekly performance since November 21.

United States

Opinion | Eileen Gu and Alysa Liu don’t deserve to be caught in culture wars

The issue is not that one chose to represent China and another the US but that both have been dragged into culture wars not of their making.

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North Korea

Why North Korea’s missile tests from new warship has Iran conflict in mind

Experts say the US strikes on Iran are sharpening Pyongyang’s resolve to diversify nuclear-capable forces, including new naval platforms.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watches the test firing of a sea-to-surface strategic cruise missile on Wednesday. Photo: KCNA/AFP
Food and Drinks

‘I am currently unemployed’: Culinary Class Wars’ Venerable Seonjae on her fame

South Korea’s first designated master of temple food shares why she’s avoiding commercial hype and her most important cooking virtue.

The Venerable Seonjae attends a press conference for the Netflix series Culinary Class Wars: Black and White Chef Season 2 at the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul, in South Korea, on December 17, 2025. Photo: Imazins via Getty Images
Asean

‘We will go to war’: why #SEAblings became a Southeast Asian rallying cry

The hashtag went viral following a row over a South Korean band’s concert in Kuala Lumpur in January and protests in Indonesia last year.

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Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks rebound with Asian peers as “two sessions” opens in China

South Korea’s Kospi leads Asia-Pacific gains, jumping nearly 10 per cent to recover nearly all of its record 12 per cent drop.

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