Global Scans · South Korea · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: South Korea may go nuclear if Trump cancels the missile deployment and leaves the country alone facing the North's threats. With the President facing an impeachment vote and mass demonstrations on the streets political and economic turmoil may follow. Chinese markets has already shaken South Korea, where central bankers downgraded their forecasts for economic growth.

• [New] Asia Pacific is projected to witness the highest growth due to the expanding e-commerce and food delivery ecosystems in China, Japan, and South Korea. ReAnIn
• [New] Investors seek 5G exposure for faster speeds, IoT growth and new services but face risks from intense competition, heavy capital spending and regulatory / technological uncertainty, and MarketBeat highlights a notable $23 billion catalyst tied to EchoStar. / South Korea MarketBeat
• [New] For U.S. allies, particularly Japan, South Korea, and Australia, autonomous integration offers reassurance that American naval power will remain credible for decades. Y F News
• [New] Integrating South Korea's booming defence industry into the US supply chain may look like a commercial opportunity for Seoul's arms exporters, but it also carries profound strategic implications for the Indo-Pacific. East Asia Forum
• [New] South Korea will invest $350 billion in the U.S. Marketplace
• [New] South Korea will import more than 6 million barrels of crude from the United Arab Emirates to ease fuel-price pressure after the Iran conflict disrupted global energy markets. The Asia Cable
• [New] Leader Kim Jong Un held a ceremony to unveil the deployment of 50 new launch vehicles for nuclear-capable short-range missiles threatening rival South Korea as he flaunted his expanding military capabilities ahead of a major ruling party congress. FDD
• [New] North Korea represents a direct threat to South Korea and Japan, while its intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) pose a danger to the continental United States. MILMAG
• [New] In 2026, STEM for All will be expanded in 2026 to countries including the Czech Republic, Poland, Greece, Romania, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Brazil and South Korea. BusinessGhana
• [New] North Korea is assessed to be a direct threat to treaty allies South Korea and Japan. Atlas Institute for International Affairs
• [New] South Korea must plan for sustained volatility rather than temporary disruption, strengthening resilience to energy price swings and maintaining deterrence readiness in an environment where arms-control guardrails are questionable. Fault Lines
• [New] At the same time, Seoul's critical minerals strategy - which includes a leading role in U.S.-backed critical-minerals coordination while seeking closer cooperation with China-risks placing South Korea in the middle of intensifying great-power supply chain competition. Fault Lines
• [New] South Korea launches landmark laws to regulate AI, startups warn of compliance burdens. The Asia Cable
• By drawing from Europe's phased approach and South Korea's missile defence development experience, Canada could pursue a path that secures its sovereignty, reinforces NATO, and increases alliance credibility without aiming for unattainable absolute defence. Modern Diplomacy
• In the medium term, a Canada-South Korea cooperation framework could be explored, adapting upper-tier missile defence concepts to Arctic operating conditions, mirroring the logic of the step-by-step approach of the EPAA-first acquiring limited capacity and later expanding layers. Modern Diplomacy
• Under near-constant threat, South Korea developed a cost-effective multi-layered missile defence system, balancing US interoperability with domestic control and export viability. Modern Diplomacy
• Investment confirmed by Kumho Tire in a new 5.3 million tyre plant in Hampyeong, South Korea, which will focus on performance car tyres for EVs and ICE vehicles. Tyrepress
• Kim stipulated intercontinental ballistic missiles that could be launched from underwater and an expanded arsenal of tactical nuclear weapons, such as artillery and short-range missiles, capable of targeting South Korea. Al Jazeera
• South Korea's auto giants see share prices soar after announcing major AI infrastructure plans, but tariff threats from the U.S. cast a shadow over future prospects. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• South Korea's 2026 Framework Act on Supply Chain Stabilization for Economic Security set a quantitative target to reduce import dependence on any single country for key items to below 50% by 2030. Information Technology and Innovation Foundation | ITIF
• Any deficiencies are expected to be incorporated into DAXA's self-regulatory guidelines and could influence the next phase of cryptocurrency legislation in South Korea. TradingView
• Japan and South Korea pursue alternative strategies including strategic reserves and battery recycling investments to reduce import vulnerability. Discovery Alert

Last updated: 18 March 2026