South Korea

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Jan. 15, 2026 | Supply Chain Issues

Korea and the Netherlands have agreed to strengthen cooperation in advanced technologies, specifically in the semiconductor and quantum sectors, to address the ongoing global supply chain restructuring. This agreement was formalized through a letter of intent signed during the biennial joint innovation committee meeting held in The Hague.

The enhanced collaboration aims to boost the industrial competitiveness of both countries amid an intensifying global technology competition. Over the past decade, Korea and the Netherlands have expanded their partnership in industrial technology development, conducting more than 40 joint research and development projects since 2016. The recent agreement is seen as the foundation for continued cooperation in the coming decade.

Yonhap | English | News | Jan. 15, 2026 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

The Chinese Embassy in Seoul criticized Taiwan's top envoy, Chiou Gow-wei, for suggesting that South Korea's commitment to the "One China" principle could refer to Taiwan rather than Beijing. Chiou made these remarks at a forum hosted by a South Korean opposition lawmaker, implying that President Lee Jae Myung's reaffirmation of the policy might not exclusively mean the People's Republic of China but could also include the Republic of China, Taiwan's official name.

The embassy spokesperson condemned Chiou's comments as "sheer nonsense" that violate international norms and challenge South Korea's commitment to the One China principle as outlined in the China-South Korea joint communique. The statement emphasized that both China and South Korea oppose such remarks and any political manipulation of the Taiwan issue, warning that attempts to exploit this for political gain or to undermine bilateral relations would not be tolerated by either country's people.

China views Taiwan as a part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, opposing any international recognition or challenge to this claim. The Chinese Embassy also expressed disapproval of South Korean lawmakers engaging with Taiwanese officials or inviting them to events, reinforcing China's stance against any actions that might disrupt China-South Korea relations.

"파면한 헌재도 국정마비 우려" 최후진술서 與탓 늘어놓은 尹

Hankyung | Local Language | News | Jan. 15, 2026 | Political Scandal or Corruption

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, during his trial for insurrection, reaffirmed the legitimacy of his December 3 martial law proclamation, citing the Constitutional Court's 2025 impeachment decision that acknowledged his concern over the opposition party's overreach harming national interests. Yoon claimed widespread public opposition to his impeachment, attributing it to support for the martial law's necessity amid government paralysis caused by the opposition.

Yoon accused the Democratic Party of colluding with anti-state forces, including those allegedly directed by North Korea, to destabilize his administration and paralyze state affairs. He criticized the party for refusing to pass essential legislation, producing unconstitutional laws, undermining security measures, and pushing for reforms that weakened counterintelligence and national security, including opposing reciprocal espionage statute revisions responding to China's laws.

He detailed additional grievances against the Democratic Party, including budget cuts critical to national security and drug investigations, and accused them of an unconstitutional parliamentary dictatorship aiming for regime overthrow. Yoon defended his martial law proclamation as an emergency response within constitutional limits, blaming the National Assembly for provoking the crisis.

The special prosecution sought the death penalty for Yoon as the ringleader of the insurrection and life imprisonment for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. Prison sentences ranging from 10 to 30 years were requested for other military and police officials involved in the martial law plot.