South Korea

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Jan. 16, 2026 | South China Sea

Amid rising tensions and confrontational incidents averaging 12.1 per month between Philippine and Chinese law enforcement vessels in the South China Sea from August 2024 to May 2025, the Philippines is accelerating its military modernization program by procuring advanced Korean weapons systems. The country is focusing on naval and aerial defense upgrades under the Horizon Military Modernisation Programme, with a $35 billion budget allocated to the current phase, Re-Horizon 3. This includes purchasing frigates, patrol vessels, and advanced fighter jets to strengthen deterrence against China.

Philippine naval forces have a longstanding relationship with Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), which has delivered multiple frigates since 2016, including the Jose Rizal-class and Miguel Malvar-class vessels. Recently, HHI secured a new $571 million contract to supply two next-generation frigates, mirroring a previous $573 million deal. The Philippine Navy values HHI’s ships for their technological reliability and cost-effective maintenance within the country. The Navy is also looking to acquire at least two diesel-electric submarines with a budget of up to 110 billion Philippine pesos, considering offers from France’s Naval Group, Hanwha Ocean, and potentially HD HHI.

In the air domain, the Philippines relies heavily on Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) for its light fighter jets. The FA-50PH, a Philippine variant of KAI’s FA-50 light fighter, has been integral to its airpower and counterterrorism operations. A recent $64 million contract was signed to upgrade these jets with enhanced range and active electronically scanned array radar. For future multirole fighter jet acquisitions, the Philippines is evaluating KAI’s KF-21 stealth-compatible jet and the Gripen E/F, with the KF-21 favored for its cost and performance potential. However, official proposals have yet to be requested, and financial arrangements remain a critical factor.

To facilitate large-scale Korean defense exports, Seoul is exploring strategic export finance options beyond the current limits of the Export-Import Bank of Korea, which caps support at 40 percent of the buyer’s equity capital. Proposed mechanisms, such as subscription-like payment programs, could help emerging nations like the Philippines manage financial burdens when acquiring advanced Korean defense systems.

Yonhap | English | News | Jan. 16, 2026 | Privacy

South Korea's media watchdog, the Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC), has requested the U.S.-based social media platform X to implement measures protecting minors from sexual content generated by the AI model Grok. The request comes amid rising concerns about the creation and distribution of deepfake sexual content through AI platforms.

The KMCC emphasized that under South Korean law, social network operators like X must appoint an official responsible for minor protection and submit annual reports on these efforts. The commission highlighted that producing, sharing, or storing sexual deepfake content without consent is punishable by criminal law.

KMCC Chairperson Kim Jong-cheol stated that the commission aims to support the safe development of new technologies while planning to introduce regulations and policy reforms to prevent the spread of illegal information, including sexual abuse content. These measures include requiring AI service providers to actively protect minors from harmful content.

Hankyoreh - E | English | News | Jan. 16, 2026 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a summit in Nara, Japan, emphasizing the importance of Korea-Japan cooperation and trilateral collaboration with the US to address rapidly changing international conditions. Both leaders agreed on the need for coordinated responses to the Korean Peninsula situation and discussed a broad range of regional and global issues. Lee highlighted the necessity for South Korea, China, and Japan to find common ground, communicate, and cooperate to maintain regional peace and stability.

The summit took place amid escalating tensions between China and Japan, following Japan’s consideration of military intervention in a Taiwan contingency and China’s subsequent military and economic pressure on Japan, including restrictions on rare earth exports. Lee stressed South Korea’s neutral stance, affirming the equal importance of relations with both China and Japan and expressing a desire to play a stabilizing role without taking sides.

The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of lasting peace, agreeing to continue close coordination on North Korea policy. Takaichi acknowledged Lee’s support regarding the resolution of the abductions issue involving Japanese citizens taken by North Korea. Discussions on supply chain cooperation were held, particularly concerning China’s rare earth export restrictions to Japan, though Lee avoided directly addressing this sensitive topic.