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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
The spike in energy costs has revived fears of a renewed bout of inflation, raising the risk of slower global growth. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong stock market

Oil surge stokes inflation fears as Middle East flashpoint rattles markets

Rising oil prices are shaking global markets as investors rethink rate-cut bets and brace for slower growth and renewed inflation.

North Korea

North Korea’s hostage strategy packs more bite in US shake-up post-Iran

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Artificial intelligence

Seoul’s AI sex crime detection tool goes nationwide in South Korea

Hong Kong stock market

Surging oil prices drive Hong Kong stocks to 6-month low on inflation jitters

Brent crude gains 1.3 per cent to US$82.46, while Nymex futures rise 1.1 per cent to US$75.36.

Rising oil prices due to the US-Iran war risks stoking inflation globally. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Global stock sell-off slams Wall Street as oil prices leap on Iran war woes

The Dow ended down 403 points, after plunging over 1,200 earlier in the day.

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Singapore

‘Too high a cost’: why some Singaporeans are forgoing parenthood

As the city state battles a record low fertility rate, analysts say deeper anxieties and rising opportunity costs continue to shape decisions.

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Google

South Korea to finally get fully functioning Google Maps

The move will appease Washington that has urged security-conscious Seoul to tackle what it says is discrimination against US tech companies.

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A woman poses for photographs from an observation deck at N Seoul Tower in Seoul, South Korea. South Korea had shot down Google’s previous bids in 2007 and 2016 to be allowed to export the data, citing the risks that information ‌about sensitive military and security facilities could be exposed. Photo: Reuters
Google

Video | Google finally allowed to export South Korea map data

Google must process map data on locally based servers and can only export data that have been pre-approved by the government.

Hong Kong society

What Hong Kong travellers stuck in the Middle East need to do as war spirals

At least 432 residents are stranded in region as dozens of flights between city and Middle East are disrupted by conflict.

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks slide for a second day as US-Iran war rattles sentiment

Risk-off sentiment is seen across major Asia-Pacific markets, with South Korea’s Kospi benchmark falling 7.2 per cent.

Financial data is displayed at the New York Stock Exchange. Photo: AP
Japan

How the Unification Church is facing fallout in Japan from Shinzo Abe’s murder

Critics have called the group a ‘money-making business’, with many people having lost huge sums of money from its ‘spiritual sales’.

The logo of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, known as the Unification Church, at the entrance of the Japan branch headquarters in Tokyo. Photo: AFP
Diplomacy

Opinion | Kim Jong-un’s daughter may well become North Korea’s first female leader

The signs of succession are apparent, from Kim Ju-ae’s growing public appearances with her father to her reported appointment to a new leadership position.

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US-China trade war

Trump’s 2026 trade agenda sharpens push for ‘managed’ US-China ties

US Trade Representative report touts deficit drop, pledges tougher Section 301 enforcement ahead of Trump’s Beijing summit with Xi.

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China-Middle East relations

Why the US-Israel war with Iran leaves Asian economies exposed

Mainland China imports vast amounts of oil from the Middle East but India, South Korea and others could fare worse, analysts say.

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Tanker traffic has largely halted on the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman along Iran’s southern coast. The disruption is expected to hit global crude supply. Photo: Reuters
Iran

Why US strikes on Iran just made North Korea less likely to play ball

Iran’s nuclear programme was aspirational. North Korea’s is not. That distinction explains everything, analysts say.

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Smoke rises over Tehran following missile strikes on Sunday. The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Saturday, killing the country’s supreme leader and top military leaders. Photo: AFP
Artificial intelligence

That viral Tiffany Young-Byun Yo-han wedding shoot is not what it seems

Images of the couple, who announced their marriage on Friday, were created using AI, Byun’s agency confirmed.

Hong Kong stock market

Sell-offs sweep Hong Kong and Asian markets as gold, oil rise on Iran war

Crude oil jumps as much as 14 per cent to the highest level since January 2025, while gold gains 2.5 per cent on haven demand.

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China shipbuilding

Open Questions | Top shipbuilding voice Li Yanqing rebukes Washington’s ‘China threat’ narrative

China’s national shipbuilding association official calls US port fees ‘absurd’ and politically motivated, while asserting China’s market lead is solid despite global fluctuations.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Smartphones

China’s Xiaomi steps up global push with flagship smartphone 17 series launch

The launch ahead of MWC Barcelona showcases Xiaomi’s push into premium market with new phones, tablet, smartwatch and concept hypercar.

World of performing arts

This award-winning playwright rejected Hollywood… for a Korean zombie musical

Jethro Compton shares why his choice to adapt musical The Last Man for UK viewers is about ‘experiences’ rather than advancing his career.

North Korea

North Korea unveils image of Kim’s daughter firing rifle at shooting range

Speculation has mounted that Kim Jong-un is grooming his daughter – believed to be named Kim Ju-ae and about 13 years old – as his successor.

North Korean leader Kim Jong- un’s daughter, believed to be called Kim Ju-ae, firing a sniper rifle at a shooting range in North Korea on Friday. Photo: North Korean Central News Agency via EPA
China exports

Deals of steel: how China’s price-setting agreements are easing trade tempers

Chinese exporters agree to raise prices to avoid anti‑dumping duties, echoing earlier electric vehicle agreement with European Union.

Molten steel sparks fly at a factory in Huaian, Jiangsu province. Photo: AFP
Trending in China

K-pop star G-Dragon’s ‘Lunar New Year’ greetings divide China fans, ignite firestorm

Debate over ‘Chinese New Year’ versus ‘Lunar New Year’ arises annually, particularly when brands, celebrities share new year greetings on social media.

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TV shows and streaming video

In Korea, luxury goods are ‘like an ID card’. The Art of Sarah proves it

Netflix’s The Art of Sarah, following a woman running a counterfeit empire, is a harsh reflection of South Korea’s luxe goods fixation.

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SCMP Highlights

Chinese tourists flock to Seoul, child shoved in Tokyo crossing: 7 highlights

From China tracking military moves near Iran to why tourists are ditching Tokyo for Seoul, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Visitors wear traditional Korean attire in Seoul on February 17. South Korea saw a sharp influx of Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday period that ended on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks cap worst month since October on AI disruption angst

Concerns over AI’s disruptive impact on traditional industries continue to unsettle investors.

The so-called AI scare trade has roiled global stocks in February. Photo: AFP
Women and gender

‘Digital public shaming’: Chinese AI tools under fire for pornographic deepfakes

Grass-roots group warns AI platforms have ‘sacrificed women’s right to safety’ as non-consensual sexualised images proliferate.

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North Korea

North Korea’s Kim warns of ‘eternal confrontation’ without US dialogue

As long as Washington acknowledges Pyongyang as a nuclear power, there is ‘no reason not to get along’, the North Korean leader says.

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