Significance. South Korea is experiencing a surge in political extremism among its youth, driven by economic frustration, social disillusionment, and digital radicalization.
Significance. South Korea’s lack of discussion on a Taiwan conflict leaves its leadership and public unprepared. As a key U.S. ally and regional player, South Korea will face pressure to take a position.
Significance. Foreign investors are rapidly expanding into South Korea’s monthly rental market, which will exacerbate Gen-Z’s existing frustrations with housing affordability. Traditionally reliant on jeonse—a long-term deposit-based rental system—young Koreans now face rising monthly rents as jeonse options dwindle.
Significance. The imposition of tariffs under President Donald Trump threatens the stability of the South Korea-U.S. relationship, which relies heavily on mutual economic and security cooperation.
Event or Trend: Pro-Yoon Suk-yeol rallies in Seoul on 18-19 January saw a surge in anti-China rhetoric and conspiracy theories, particularly allegations of Chinese interference in Korea's 2020 general elections. These unverified claims were propagated widely through social media and after repetition by conservative lawmakers have entered mainstream political discourse.
Event or Trend: On 3 December 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law, citing threats from pro-North Korean elements and accusing the opposition of anti-state activities.
Reports in the Western media recently highlighted details of a Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) report on the visit of Kim Jong-un to the Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex (UATC) where he emphasized the need to mass produce drones and update military theory, practice and education to accomodate these changes.
The Yoon administration’s close alignment with the Biden administration has been a defining feature of South Korea’s recent foreign policy. This tight partnership may now face significant challenges with the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency.
There is growing South Korean concern that Donald Trump will negotiate with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un to accept North Korea's nuclear arsenal in exchange for halting its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program.
The leaders of South Korea, the United States, and Japan announced the establishment of a trilateral secretariat during the APEC summit in November 2024. This institutionalization aims to strengthen security cooperation.
