A weekly conversation about the most important news in politics, business, economy and society shaping South Korea right now. A quick, smart and to the point briefing hosted by KOREA PRO’s Jeongmin Kim and John Lee.
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On this week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, John and Joon Ha discuss South Korea’s troubled push to build up its drone capabilities after two low-cost loitering munition prototypes crashed within seconds during a Navy demonstration for journalists. They examine what the failed test says about procurement, coordination between defense agencies and the difficulty of developing an indigenous drone industry that can compete on both price and scale. They then turn to mounting scrutiny of South Korea’s police ahead of major prosecutorial reforms set to take effect on Oct. 2. Recent cases involv
On this week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha discuss President Donald Trump’s surprise decision to substantially reduce the Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise, forcing South Korea and the U.S. to cut the drills from 11 days to five after preparations were already underway. They break down what the abrupt change means for alliance readiness and plans to transfer wartime operational control to Seoul, including how reduced training could disrupt assessments of South Korea’s ability to lead future combined operations and complicate the allies’ broader defense tim
This week, Jeongmin and John discuss South Korea’s latest employment figures, which show the overall employment rate reaching 70.3% even as young Koreans lost another 191,000 jobs. They examine how growth in health and social welfare jobs is masking continued weakness in sectors such as manufacturing and construction. The team also looks at a Democratic Party lawmaker’s proposal to convert decommissioned buses into housing for young people, why the idea quickly drew ridicule and criticism and what the controversy says about the country’s broader housing challenges. Later, they discuss the back
This week, Jeongmin and John discuss proposals to overhaul South Korea’s college entrance exam by replacing more multiple-choice questions with written responses and potentially using artificial intelligence to grade them. The team also looks at South Korea’s deadly heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in some regions and thousands seeking treatment for heat-related illnesses. Later, they discuss controversy over the National Assembly speaker’s suggestion that public opinion could determine whether a constitutional amendment might allow President Lee Jae Myung to seek anot
This week, the team discusses the KOSPI’s sharp reversal despite record earnings from SK Hynix and major investment announcements during President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to San Francisco, examining why concerns about future spending and returns continue to weigh on technology stocks. The conversation also looks at the heavy losses suffered by investors in leveraged single-stock exchange-traded funds and the government’s decision to restrict new listings and advertising just weeks after allowing the products to enter the market. The team then breaks down South Korea’s latest census, including th
On this week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha discuss the widening war in the Middle East and what it means for South Korea, from rising oil prices and shipping insurance costs to inflationary pressure on an export-dependent economy. They also break down Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s conviction for violating the Political Funds Act, including why the ruling could damage his political image even as he remains in office while pursuing an appeal. The episode then turns to South Korea’s ongoing trade and industry talks with Washington, as Seoul looks to deepen shipbuilding
On this week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, John and Joon Ha discuss President Lee Jae Myung’s new economic growth strategy for the second half of 2026, including his push for the state to play a much more active role as an investor in South Korea’s future industries. They also break down the Bank of Korea’s decision to raise the base rate to 2.75%, as inflation, rising energy prices, household debt and a weak won continue to create financial stability concerns. The episode then turns to the Lee administration’s proposal to merge South Korea’s three main military academies into a single i
On this week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin and John discuss Canada’s decision to name Germany’s TKMS as the preferred bidder for its submarine procurement program, dealing a major blow to South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean after months of intense lobbying. The conversation then turns to President Lee Jae Myung’s push for a “ROK-NATO Partnership 2.0,” including Seoul’s effort to move beyond one-off defense sales and present itself as a partner in joint production, planning and investment with Europe. They also look at Lee’s $100 million Ukraine pledge and whether Seoul can convince NATO
This week, the team discusses the Lee administration’s $1 trillion “Three Mega Projects” blueprint, which aims to expand South Korea’s semiconductor, AI data center, advanced packaging and robotics sectors while building a new industrial base in the Honam region. The conversation then turns to domestic politics, as the ruling Democratic Party secures 11 of the National Assembly’s 18 standing committees after a People Power Party boycott, giving the ruling bloc control over key legislative choke points as it pushes President Lee Jae Myung’s agenda. The team also looks at June’s 3.2% inflation r
On this week’s episode, John and Jeongmin discuss the latest uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Iran talks and what it means for South Korea. They also examine President Lee Jae Myung’s recent diplomacy in Europe, including his interactions with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit and the possibility that golf could become an unlikely channel for building personal rapport between the two leaders. The conversation then turns to South Korean domestic politics, as Lee’s approval ratings decline and support for the conservative People Power Party shows signs of recovery. Finall
This week, Jeongmin and John discuss the reported U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement and what it could mean for South Korea, including the prospects for renewed trade with Iran, the future of maritime security operations around the Strait of Hormuz and whether Seoul may still be called upon to contribute military assets despite a pause in hostilities. They also examine new momentum behind U.S.-South Korea cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines following supportive language from the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee. The conversation then turns to President Lee Jae Myung’s recent diplomatic en
This week, John and Joon Ha examine South Korea’s record fines against Coupang over alleged personal data protection violations, including what the penalties could mean for the U.S.-listed e-commerce giant, Seoul-Washington trade tensions and the broader business environment for foreign companies operating in Korea. They also discuss the fallout from ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections and the growing protests targeting the National Election Commission, looking at how conservatives, university students and election fraud activists have converged around demands for greater accoun
On this week’s episode, the team breaks down South Korea’s June 3 local elections, where the Democratic Party won 12 of 16 major mayoral and gubernatorial races while the People Power Party held Seoul. They examine what Oh Se-hoon’s narrow victory in the capital means for President Lee Jae Myung’s second year in office, as well as how ballot shortages in some Seoul districts gave the PPP new ammunition against the National Election Commission. The conversation also looks at key by-election results, including Han Dong-hoon’s win in Busan, the future of the conservative camp and signs of possibl
This week on the Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin Kim and John Lee sit down with Ankit Panda, Stanton Senior Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, to discuss how U.S. alliances are changing and what that means for South Korea. The episode begins with a look at why U.S. allies should not be treated as a single category, and how South Korea’s alliance with Washington differs from those involving NATO, Japan, Canada and Australia. The conversation then turns to South Korea’s growing defense autonomy, extended deterrence and the debate over whether Seou
This week on the Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin Kim, John Lee and Joon Ha Park break down a packed week in South Korean politics, business and diplomacy — starting with Samsung Electronics’ last-minute labor deal that averted a planned strike. The episode also examines the fallout from Starbucks Korea’s controversial “Tank Day” marketing campaign, which drew backlash for language and imagery linked to South Korea’s pro-democracy history. The conversation then turns to President Lee Jae Myung’s summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Andong, following Lee’s earlier visit to Takaichi’
This week’s episode is hosted by Joon Ha Park with Shreyas Reddy in the studio, filling in while regular hosts Jeongmin Kim and John Lee are away in Singapore on a business trip. The episode begins with South Korea’s investigation into the attack on the HMM Namu near the Strait of Hormuz, as officials say Iran is the most likely actor behind the strike while Seoul continues gathering evidence before making a formal accusation. The episode then turns to Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back’s visit to Washington, including discussions on South Korea’s possible role in restoring transit through the Stra
This week’s episode begins with the confusion over an explosion and fire aboard an HMM-operated vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, as South Korean officials worked to determine whether the incident was caused by a strike or an onboard accident. The episode then turns to South Korea’s consumer prices, which rose 2.6% year on year in April, driven largely by higher petroleum costs. On business and labor, the hosts look at internal divisions within Samsung’s labor unions, especially tensions between semiconductor workers and employees in the company’s device experience division over bonus demands.
This week’s Korea Pro Podcast begins with a look at major legal developments involving former President Yoon Suk Yeol, including prosecutors seeking a heavier sentence in one case and an appeals court ruling related to former first lady Kim Keon Hee and the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case. The episode then turns to the growing dispute over Coupang, following a letter from dozens of U.S. Republican lawmakers criticizing what they called discriminatory action against the U.S.-listed company. On defense and foreign policy, the hosts examine South Korea’s bid for Canada’s submarine project
This week’s Korea Pro Podcast begins with a look at a developing controversy surrounding North Korea intelligence assessments, focusing on remarks by South Korea’s unification minister suggesting the existence of a third uranium enrichment site. On the security front, the episode explores alliance dynamics between the U.S. and South Korea, including debate over the transfer of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile munitions to the Middle East. The hosts also examine recent comments by U.S. Forces Korea leadership regarding a potential timeline for wartime operational control (OPC
This week’s episode begins with a look at the government’s newly introduced “smart regulation” initiative, which aims to streamline rules while preserving those deemed essential. Particular attention is given to labor-related regulations, including the 52-hour workweek, where the government appears reluctant to pursue reforms sought by industry despite signaling openness to deregulation. On the economic and energy front, the episode explores South Korea’s response to instability in the Middle East, highlighting a series of diplomatic visits that secured agreements for crude oil and naphtha sup
This week’s episode begins with a look at the semiconductor sector, where major firms like Samsung and LG are reporting strong earnings driven in part by rising global demand linked to instability in the Middle East. However, the discussion highlights that these gains may be short-lived, as disruptions to logistics, energy supplies and critical materials — including hard-to-replace resources like helium — could pose longer-term risks to the industry’s competitiveness. The conversation then shifts to domestic policy, focusing on a proposed 26-trillion-won supplementary budget designed to mitiga
In this episode, the team breaks down the ongoing conflict involving the U.S. and Iran, focusing on remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump that suggest military objectives may be nearing completion while also raising questions about escalation and strategy. They also examine what these developments could mean for South Korea, including pressure from Washington to take on a greater role in securing maritime routes and the broader implications for regional security and alliance dynamics, as well as how disruptions in global energy markets are already feeding into real-world economic effects, Shi
This week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast begins with the ongoing global oil shock and its ripple effects on South Korea’s economy, policy decisions and public sentiment. The conversation also explores the government’s response, including efforts to stabilize public concern and a forthcoming supplementary budget aimed at easing the burden of rising energy prices and minimizing industrial damage. On the international front, the episode looks at South Korea’s diplomatic and strategic positioning amid shifting global alliances, including Japan’s recent engagement with the United States and the
The episode focuses on the escalating U.S.-Iran conflict and its ripple effects on global alliances, particularly in Asia. President Donald Trump’s shifting stance on allied contribution to the Strait of Hormuz has created uncertainty among partners and South Korea finds itself in a difficult spot, closely watching U.S.-Japan discussions while weighing its own legal, political and military constraints. At the same time, energy security has become a pressing concern, with Seoul securing 24 million barrels of oil from the UAE as prices surge. The government is also considering a large supplement
This week’s episode begins with the economic and political ripple effects of escalating conflict in the Middle East. For South Korea, which imports nearly all of its energy, the spike has triggered emergency discussions in Seoul with President Lee Jae Myung proposing temporary price ceilings on energy to shield consumers, though the policy could shift costs onto industry. The hosts also examine security implications tied to the Middle East conflict. Reports suggest some U.S. missile defense assets stationed in South Korea — including Patriot interceptors and possibly THAAD components — may be
