South Korea

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Dec. 5, 2025 | North Korea

South Korea's deputy foreign minister, Chung Eui-hae, called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to support Seoul's efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea. This appeal was made during a luncheon with ambassadors from 11 Asean member states, including Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Chung expressed gratitude for Asean's backing of President Lee Jae Myung's "END" initiative, which stands for exchange, normalization, and denuclearization. The initiative aims to end hostility and promote peace with North Korea and was highlighted by Lee during his United Nations General Assembly address in September 2025.

Additionally, Chung emphasized South Korea's intention to strengthen its comprehensive strategic partnership with Asean by increasing people-to-people exchanges and enhancing cooperation in trade and security.

PRI "한국 지속가능성 공시 서둘러야...세부규칙보다 성공적 작동 중요"

Hankyung | Local Language | News | Dec. 5, 2025 | Regulation

The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), established under the United Nations in 2006, has become a leading global network for integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into financial markets. With over 5,000 signatory organizations managing roughly $140 trillion globally, PRI has advanced responsible investment from a conceptual stage to a mainstream practice. PRI CEO David Atkin emphasizes that the focus is shifting from the necessity of ESG to how it is implemented, highlighting the importance of tailored strategies, transparent disclosure, and coherent policies to foster sustainable finance within each country’s unique institutional environment.

Atkin points out that responsible investment now addresses systemic risks rather than just individual asset risks, with a growing emphasis on acting upon sustainability outcomes such as climate change and human rights. Despite political headwinds, particularly in the U.S., sustainable investment continues to grow as investors recognize the long-term financial benefits of ESG integration. He stresses that the energy transition is driven primarily by economic incentives, with renewables now more affordable than fossil fuels, making policy clarity essential to encourage private capital to invest in sustainable projects.

In the context of Korea, Atkin urges the acceleration of sustainability disclosure implementation rather than focusing solely on detailed rules. He calls for clear policy direction, a trustworthy data environment, and market incentives to build a sustainable investment ecosystem, noting Korea’s strong technological and financial capacity as assets for leadership in the transition. The Korea Sustainability Standards Board’s work on disclosure standards aligns with international taxonomies and, if effectively implemented, could attract greater investment. He recommends a 2–3 year phased preparation for companies to adapt to new disclosure requirements, stressing that successful implementation is more important than rigid rules.

Regarding the National Pension Service, Atkin acknowledges progress in ESG integration but stresses the need for turning these initiatives into central elements of asset allocation and risk management. He highlights that stewardship codes require stronger enforcement and engagement by investors to influence corporate governance effectively. PRI aims to support Korean institutions by sharing global best practices and providing tailored educational resources through its new Pathways Program, helping members implement responsible investment with practical milestones and guidelines.

Yonhap | English | News | Dec. 5, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

The U.N. Command (UNC) reaffirmed that the armistice agreement remains a "binding framework" for governing access to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea. This statement followed South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young revealing that a senior presidential security official was recently denied entry to a war remains excavation site at White Horse Ridge within the DMZ.

Unification Minister Chung also referenced a similar incident in 2019 when a former unification minister was denied access to the civilian village of Daeseongdong inside the DMZ, highlighting growing concerns within the South Korean government that such access denials can no longer be ignored.

The UNC did not provide details on the recent denial but emphasized that all access requests are reviewed following established protocols to ensure safety, compliance, and regional stability. The UNC also encouraged close consultation with the South Korean government on any measures affecting the DMZ and underscored their commitment to joint peace-building efforts supporting shared security objectives.

The DMZ functions as a buffer zone approximately 250 kilometers long and 4 kilometers wide, established since the end of the Korean War in 1953. The UNC’s reaffirmation underscores the armistice agreement’s ongoing role in managing military and civilian activities in this sensitive area.