About our South Korea news
Latest news on South Korea (ROK): Seoul politics, President Lee Jae-myung, economy, KOSPI, Samsung, North Korea tensions, US tariffs, Korean Peninsula security
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, occupies the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and has a population of about 51 million, with roughly half living in the Seoul capital area. Once one of the poorest countries in the world, it is now a leading democracy and a major economy, home to global names such as Samsung, SK Hynix, Hyundai and LG. Its government is led by a directly elected president, who serves a single five-year term, alongside the National Assembly.
Politics has been dramatic in recent years. President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief declaration of martial law in December 2024 led to his impeachment, removal from office and a series of criminal trials, including a rebellion case that ended in a life sentence, subject to appeal. Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party won the snap election that followed and took office in June 2025, facing a divided National Assembly and an opposition People Power Party still rebuilding. Local elections and ongoing court cases keep Seoul politics in the headlines.
The economy is driven by exports, especially semiconductors, memory chips, batteries, cars and shipbuilding, and the KOSPI stock index is closely watched by investors. US tariffs and the large investment pledge tied to the Korea-US trade deal, along with the strength of the won, remain key issues. Challenges at home include household debt, high housing costs in Seoul, an ageing society and one of the world's lowest fertility rates, although births have recently begun to recover.
Security is never far from the news. South Korea shares one of the most heavily militarised borders in the world with North Korea, and missile tests, DMZ incidents and the question of dialogue with Pyongyang regularly shape policy. The alliance with the United States, the presence of US troops, and relations with Japan and China are central to Seoul's foreign policy and defence debates.
Culture and society are just as influential. The Korean Wave, or Hallyu, has carried K-pop, K-dramas, film and food across the world, while Seoul, Busan and Jeju attract millions of visitors. Behind this lies a modern history of Japanese colonial rule, division after 1945, the Korean War of 1950 to 1953 and rapid industrialisation known as the Miracle on the Han River, followed by democratisation in the 1980s. Debates over work culture, gender equality, education pressure and the treatment of workers continue to shape public life.
Our ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ South Korea feed brings together the latest headlines on Korean politics, the economy, the KOSPI, North Korea, US-Korea relations, society and security from reliable sources. Whether you follow the president, the National Assembly or developments across the Korean Peninsula, it offers constantly updated coverage of the Republic of Korea.