South Korea

38 North | English | AcademicThink | Jan. 23, 2026 | North Korea

The latest US National Security Strategy (NSS) marks a significant shift in Washington’s approach to the Korean Peninsula by excluding North Korean denuclearization as a central concern and redirecting deterrence responsibilities primarily onto allies, especially South Korea. This shift reflects a reprioritization in US strategy that reduces direct engagement and increases South Korea’s burden in managing North Korea, resulting in a more volatile and unpredictable security environment.

North Korea views this strategic retrenchment as an opportunity to strengthen its position by adopting a more confrontational stance toward South Korea, potentially codifying a hostile inter-Korean doctrine at its upcoming Ninth Party Congress. Its military provocations serve a dual purpose: challenging South Korea’s control over contested maritime and air defense zones in a calculated manner to avoid large-scale escalation, and provoking political divisions within South Korea related to responses and the credibility of US extended deterrence.

South Korea is responding to these provocations by significantly increasing its defense budget and investing in advanced military capabilities, signaling a shift toward greater self-reliance and reduced dependence on the US nuclear umbrella. Discussions on indigenous nuclear options and strategic assets have entered mainstream political debate, reflecting growing doubts about the reliability of US deterrence.

The absence of North Korea from the US NSS increases the risk of an accelerated arms race on the Peninsula, compounded by US global strategic actions that raise perceptions of unpredictability and willingness to use force. This dynamic incentivizes both Pyongyang and Seoul to engage in competitive military buildup and riskier postures, especially around sensitive zones like the Northern Limit Line and Korea Air Defense Identification Zone, with a heightened chance of destabilizing escalation.

Underlying this situation are flawed assumptions within US policy that ambiguity and burden-shifting will maintain stability. Without clear communication, senior-level coordination, and explicit crisis management policies—including well-defined red lines—burden-shifting encourages risk-taking by all parties. The evolving arms competition and alliance asymmetries on the Peninsula increase the likelihood of costly miscalculations and military adventurism unless strategic signaling and allied coordination improve significantly.

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Natural Disasters

A wildfire broke out on January 21, 2026, in the Mount Baegun area of Gwangyang, South Jeolla, leading fire authorities to escalate their response and issue evacuation orders for nearby residents. The fire was fueled by dry weather and strong gusty winds, with wind speeds averaging 3.6 meters per second at the time of reporting.

Forestry and fire officials deployed 19 helicopters and 31 fire engines to combat the blaze. Despite these efforts, dry conditions and sustained winds continued to challenge firefighting operations. The emergency response level was raised from Level 1 to Level 2 at 4:31 p.m., which applies when a wildfire is expected to impact 50 to 100 hectares and is forecasted to be controlled within 48 hours.

Residents near the affected area were instructed to evacuate to village community centers and other designated safe locations via emergency text alerts. This wildfire represents a serious incident amid ongoing dry weather conditions in the region.

Hankyoreh - E | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedPolitical Policy Resistance

President Lee Jae Myung publicly acknowledged “overwhelming public support” for nuclear power during a recent Cabinet meeting, signaling a potential shift from his previous preference for renewable energy policies. While he did not explicitly direct the construction of new nuclear plants, his call for “reasonable discussion free from ideology” and the collection of public feedback suggests a possible tacit approval for expanding nuclear energy.

Previously, Lee had emphasized the rapid supply benefits of renewable energy, citing concerns that nuclear plants take 15 years to build and may not meet immediate energy demands. However, industry pressures, particularly from sectors like AI and semiconductors that require large electricity supplies, appear to have influenced this change. Comments from SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son highlighting energy as a critical bottleneck in Korea’s AI industry were noted as a potential turning point.

Public opinion polls have shown strong support for nuclear power expansion, with a recent Gallup Korea survey indicating 54% of respondents favor building more nuclear plants compared to 25% opposition. This shift in the political landscape, along with an upcoming local election in June, may also be driving the administration's reconsideration of nuclear energy policy.

Energy experts view President Lee’s comments as guidelines for energy policymakers working on the country’s 12th master plan for energy supply. Civic groups suggest that the renewed focus on nuclear power is partly a strategic response to electoral considerations.