South Korea

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | North Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reached an "important conclusion" during the 13th plenary meeting of the Workers' Party of Korea's Eighth Central Committee, according to state media. The meeting, which began on December 9, 2025, is reviewing the implementation of this year's policies and preparing for the upcoming Ninth Party Congress, expected in January or February 2026.

Kim's conclusion addresses the review of major party and state policies, the Central Inspection Commission's work this year, and preparations for the Ninth Congress. The plenary also assessed major successes of 2025, identified problems requiring immediate resolution before the congress, and assigned key tasks related to the event's organization. Financial matters, including the implementation of the 2025 state budget and the drafting of the 2026 budget, were also discussed.

The Ninth Party Congress will be North Korea's first since 2021 and is anticipated to define the country's external policies toward the U.S. and South Korea, as well as its national economic direction for the next five years. The plenary meeting is expected to continue for several days.

[소부장 테크페어] 유미코아 “HLM 양극재 준비 완료…차세대 소재도 개발”

ET News | Local Language | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | UndeterminedTech Development/Adoption

At the 2025 Global Materials, Parts and Equipment Tech Fair held on December 10th in Seoul, Umicore outlined its strategy to diversify its cathode material portfolio. The company is set to complete development and establish mass production of high-lithium manganese (HLM) cathode materials by next year, aiming to improve price competitiveness through the use of manganese, a lower-cost element. HLM materials offer higher energy density compared to lithium iron phosphate (LFP), but Umicore plans to avoid competing in the LFP sector, choosing instead to focus on HLM to differentiate itself from Chinese market leaders.

Umicore, a Belgium-based global chemical materials company with a 200-year history, currently operates a cathode material plant in Cheonan, South Korea, and supplies to major domestic battery manufacturers LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On. Traditionally focused on high-nickel, cobalt, manganese (NCM) cathodes, Umicore will expand next year into HLM materials. The company aims to address the current electric vehicle market slowdown by leveraging HLM's cost advantages and intends to boost the energy capacity of mid-nickel cathodes by increasing maximum voltage from about 4.2 V to 4.4 V.

In addition to HLM, Umicore is developing cathode materials targeted at next-generation solid-state batteries, which provide higher energy density and improved safety by using solid electrolytes. The company is working on new cathode coating technologies to enhance compatibility and electron transport with solid electrolytes, collaborating with research institutes and partners in these efforts.

Umicore is also researching disordered rock salt (DRX) cathode materials for the post-2035 period. These next-generation materials incorporate elements such as lithium, manganese, titanium, zirconium, and molybdenum and are aimed at delivering cost advantages. The company is in the early stages of this R&D but plans to build a comprehensive cathode material portfolio to serve a range of electric vehicle segments from low- to premium-priced models.

Yonhap | English | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

South Korea's Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina arrived in Washington on December 10, 2025, to urge the United States to swiftly implement an agreement enabling South Korea to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes. This request follows a prior agreement between the two countries, and Kim emphasized the need to start substantive discussions by assigning South Korea's counterpart in the process.

The upcoming 10th Senior Economic Dialogue (SED) between Kim and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg will focus on enhancing bilateral economic and industrial cooperation. Topics expected to be covered include shipbuilding, energy, cutting-edge technologies, critical minerals, and small modular reactors. However, the issue of South Korea's ambition to build nuclear-powered submarines will not be discussed during the SED, as it is considered a military matter slated for separate talks involving South Korea's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac.

The backdrop to this diplomatic activity includes a November 13 joint fact sheet where the U.S. expressed support for South Korea's civil nuclear fuel cycle activities, marking a departure from previous restrictions under the bilateral nuclear energy pact. South Korea is seen as an important partner in the U.S.'s broader "nuclear energy renaissance," with cooperation anticipated to benefit both nations. After the SED, Kim will represent South Korea at the "Pax Silica" artificial intelligence summit later in the week.