South Korea

Hankyoreh - E | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | North Korea

President Lee Jae Myung has condemned the act of a civilian sending drones into North Korean airspace as an unacceptable security risk that could trigger military clashes between the two Koreas. He emphasized that such drone incursions violate the Armistice Agreement and international law, calling for a thorough investigation and punishment of those involved. Lee warned that individuals engaging in actions resembling acts of war would face consequences, reflecting concerns that the incident could destabilize the fragile armistice.

Investigations suggest the drone flights may not have been the work of a lone civilian. The man involved, Oh, initially claimed he was inspecting pollution from North Korean uranium factories, but evidence points to possible involvement from conservative political groups and the military’s Defense Intelligence Command. Oh’s connections to conservative media and his previous work in the presidential office during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration have fueled speculation of broader ties.

President Lee also criticized the Ministry of National Defense for failing to adequately detect the drone incursions despite radar indications. He called the surveillance failure unacceptable and urged improvements to military facilities and equipment to better prevent future threats. Lee’s strong response reflects his priority of safeguarding inter-Korean relations and preventing incidents that could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Lee’s denunciation of the drone incident is closely linked to his administration’s push to ease tensions with North Korea. Despite conciliatory gestures, North Korea has yet to respond, and Lee stressed the importance of seeking openings to improve engagement. The drone incursions risk derailing these efforts by provoking security concerns and hardening military stances on both sides.

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Regulation

Korea has become the first country to enact a comprehensive law regulating the safe use of AI, known as the AI Basic Act, which took effect on January 22, 2026. The law was passed by the National Assembly on December 26, 2024, with overwhelming support. It establishes a regulatory framework aimed at combating misinformation and other harmful impacts of AI technologies.

The AI Basic Act introduces the concept of "high-risk AI," referring to AI models that significantly affect users' lives, such as those used in employment, loan reviews, and medical advice. Companies using high-risk AI must notify users and ensure safety. AI-generated content must carry watermarks to indicate its origin, a measure designed to prevent misuse such as deepfake content.

The law requires global AI service providers meeting specific financial or user thresholds to appoint a local representative in Korea. OpenAI and Google currently meet these criteria. Violations can result in fines up to 30 million won, though a one-year grace period has been established for compliance adjustments. The government will also promote the AI industry, with the science minister mandated to release a policy blueprint every three years.

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Communal and Religious Strife

President Lee Jae Myung condemned the collusion between politics and religion as a "path to national ruin" during his New Year's press conference on January 21, 2026. He highlighted the unacceptable use of religious groups like the Unification Church and Shincheonji Church of Jesus in political election meddling and called for stern punishment of such acts. Lee responded to recent accusations that these organizations influenced political processes, including bribery and mass mobilization to sway primaries and elections. Religious leaders meeting with Lee also urged the disbanding of illegitimate religious organizations.

Lee outlined a national growth strategy centered on five key pillars: regionally-led growth, inclusive growth, safety-based growth, culture-driven growth, and peace-supported growth. He emphasized the need for a "great leap forward through a great transformation" as existing strategies fail to ensure future development. Lee pledged continued efforts to combat irregularities, unfair practices, and to pursue prosecutorial reform geared toward fairness and efficiency, with potential allowances for limited supplementary investigations.

On economic issues, Lee acknowledged concerns over the Korean won's recent weakening but said the government would take measures to stabilize the exchange rate. He expressed confidence that the won’s value would recover within one or two months and positioned this as a relatively stable situation compared to other currencies. On industrial and policy matters, Lee addressed the ongoing political debate about the Yongin semiconductor cluster project, insisting that companies choose locations based on profitability rather than political pressure, and reaffirmed government commitment to the existing plan.

Regarding housing prices and taxation, Lee noted taxes should primarily secure national finances and not be used primarily as regulatory tools, reserving such measures as a last resort. On nuclear power plant construction, he advocated for decisions based on necessity, safety, and public opinion, warning against overturning policies simply due to administrative changes, in the interest of policy stability and sustainability.

The 173-minute press conference, Lee's longest to date, included 25 reporter questions and a mix of serious policy discussion and lighter moments, such as his humorous response to questions about his close relationships with aides.