Lee Jae-myung is in the news for urging China to mediate North Korea tensions—South Korea’s president since 2025, ex-Gyeonggi governor, lawyer.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has dissolved Japan's lower house, calling a snap election on February 8. She aims to leverage her high approval ratings to strengthen her party and address economic and regional security issues amid regional tensions and economic concerns. The move delays a key budget vote, with uncertainties ahead.
President Trump announced plans to increase tariffs on South Korean goods from 15% to 25%, citing Seoul's failure to pass a trade deal. The move reverses recent tariff reductions and follows tense negotiations over investment commitments and legislative approval, risking trade disruptions and impacting South Korea's exports to the US.
On January 26, 2026, President Trump announced via social media a tariff increase from 15% to 25% on South Korean goods, citing Seoul's failure to enact legislation tied to a $350 billion investment trade deal. South Korea insists the deal requires no parliamentary ratification and is working to pass related bills. Talks between officials continue to avoid escalation.
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, led by Sanae Takaichi, secured a landslide victory in the snap election, gaining at least 310 seats in the lower house. The election, called after three months in office, boosts her conservative agenda on defense, security, and immigration amid regional tensions.
On February 10, 2026, South Korea announced a phased increase in medical school admissions from 3,058 in 2026 to 3,548 in 2027, reaching 3,871 by 2030. The plan aims to address regional healthcare shortages, especially in rural areas, following a healthcare crisis triggered by trainee doctor strikes in 2024-2025 over previous proposed increases.
Japan's birthrate decline slowed in 2025, with births rising for the first time since 2021, while South Korea's fertility rate increased to 0.80, supported by government incentives and rising marriage rates. Both countries face long-term demographic challenges.
North Korea warns of severe retaliation if drone provocations continue, following recent incidents involving South Korean drones. Kim Yo Jong emphasized that any violation of sovereignty will trigger responses beyond proportionality, amid ongoing investigations into drone flights and tensions with Seoul. The story highlights escalating military tensions in the region.
Recent reports indicate U.S. forces in South Korea are shipping weapons, including Patriot missile systems, out of the country. South Korea opposes the move but states it does not affect deterrence against North Korea. The weapons are likely being redeployed to the Middle East for ongoing conflicts involving Iran.
South Korea's National Assembly is set to approve a bill establishing a public investment vehicle, amid US pressure over delays in a trade deal. The legislation aims to manage US investments in sectors like semiconductors and shipbuilding, following negotiations and threats of tariffs. The move reflects ongoing tensions in US-South Korea trade relations.
BTS held a free concert at Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, performing songs from their new album 'ARIRANG' after a four-year hiatus. The event celebrated Korean heritage and culture, drawing tens of thousands of fans and emphasizing the group's global influence and cultural significance.
A fire at a factory in Daejeon, South Korea, injured 25 people, with some seriously hurt. Over 500 emergency personnel responded, and rescue efforts continue for missing workers. The cause remains under investigation, with chemicals and risk of collapse complicating the response.
French President Macron and South Korean President Lee discussed cooperation on stabilizing the Strait of Hormuz during Macron's visit to Seoul. The leaders emphasized joint efforts to reopen the strait and de-escalate Middle East tensions, while also expanding cooperation in technology and energy sectors. The US and Trump’s comments on the strait added complexity to the issue.
Several vessels, including the first French-owned ship since the war began, have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran effectively blocked after the start of the Iran-Israel conflict. The crossings include ships from Japan, France, and Oman, signaling some reopening of the vital energy route amid ongoing tensions.
Taiwan plans to reroute oil shipments through the Red Sea due to Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. South Korea and Taiwan are preparing emergency measures as oil prices surge, relying on alternative routes and international support to secure supplies.
Vietnam and South Korea have agreed to boost bilateral trade to $150 billion by 2030, with Vietnam seeking to develop a nuclear power plant. South Korea is also expanding cooperation with India and Vietnam, while China and North Korea are deepening strategic relations through high-level visits. These developments reflect shifting regional alliances.
South Korea is increasing its defense cooperation with allies, including expanding military industry partnerships and supporting vessels stranded in regional waters. The moves follow recent high-level visits and ongoing regional security concerns, with a focus on strengthening deterrence and regional stability.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung shared a 2024 video showing Israeli soldiers abusing Palestinians, prompting Israel's foreign ministry to accuse him of spreading disinformation. The incident involves a Palestinian man pushed from a roof in the West Bank, which Israel claims was investigated. Lee defends his stance, emphasizing human rights.
South Korean President Lee has sparked international controversy by comparing Israeli military actions against Palestinians to the Holocaust. His remarks, made on social media, have drawn criticism from Israel and domestic political parties, amid ongoing tensions over human rights and regional stability. The story is evolving as Lee defends his stance.
The US has partly restricted intelligence sharing with South Korea after Seoul's unification minister publicly identified a suspected North Korean uranium enrichment site. South Korea's government defends the remarks as based on open-source research, while the US cites concerns over unauthorized disclosures. The restrictions follow diplomatic tensions and ongoing North Korean missile tests.
North Korea has attended a memorial ceremony in Pyongyang marking the first anniversary of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russia in the Kursk region. Kim Jong Un has praised the soldiers' heroism, while Russia and North Korea have agreed to deepen military cooperation through a new treaty covering 2027-2031. The event highlights North Korea's ongoing support for Moscow amid the Ukraine conflict.