South Korea

Chosun Ilbo | English | News | Dec. 2, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

Tensions between China and Japan have intensified after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested possible Japanese military intervention in a Taiwan contingency. In response, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Zanghao demanded that Japan retract these comments in a People’s Daily op-ed, accusing Takaichi of misjudging the situation and violating the One-China Principle and post-World War II international order. Wu emphasized Taiwan as an inseparable part of China’s territory and condemned any external interference, warning that Japan’s stance could provoke severe consequences.

The controversy escalated with Takaichi’s statement to the Japanese House of Representatives that a Taiwan crisis could justify Japan’s exercise of collective self-defense, implying readiness for military action. China increased diplomatic pressure, including provocative remarks by Chinese Consul General Xue Jian and economic measures such as travel and study advisories against Japan. Data shows a 16% reduction in Chinese airline flights to Japan in December, reflecting strained bilateral ties.

Military activity around Taiwan remains high, with Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reporting significant Chinese military aircraft incursions and naval operations near Taiwan over recent days. Satellite analysis indicates coordinated Chinese fighter jets and warships encircling Taiwan from multiple directions, signaling ongoing Chinese military posturing in the region.

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Dec. 2, 2025 | Accidents

Families of the 179 victims of the 2024 Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport have begun an overnight sit-in protest outside the presidential office in Seoul, demanding a new, independent investigation. They criticize the current probe by the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (Araib), under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, for lacking credibility and alleged government influence. The families want the investigation transferred to the Prime Minister's Secretariat to ensure impartiality.

The crash occurred on December 29, 2024, when the plane, returning from Bangkok, overshot the runway during an emergency belly landing and struck a concrete mound housing the airport’s localizer, resulting in a fire that killed all on board. The victims’ association alleges that the Ministry outsourced part of the investigation into the localizer, citing insufficient funds, while simultaneously allocating significant money for memorial events instead of thorough investigation.

Araib plans to release interim findings at a public hearing scheduled for early December, including analyses related to a possible bird strike and the localizer facility’s role. The families condemn this as an attempt to rush and downplay the investigation. Meanwhile, a bill proposing to separate Araib from the Land Ministry remains delayed in the National Assembly, prolonging concerns about the board’s independence.

Korea Herald | English | News | Dec. 2, 2025 | UndeterminedBizdev-Partnering

Chey Tae-won, chair of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SK Group, has been advocating for stronger economic cooperation between South Korea and Japan to address their shared challenges of low growth, aging populations, and rising global trade barriers. He argues that both countries have reached the limits of their current economic models, which are heavily export-driven and vulnerable to protectionism. Chey highlights the urgency for collaboration due to Korea’s slow growth, demographic issues such as its super-aged society status, and the impact of tariffs introduced during the Trump administration.

Chey envisions a Korea-Japan economic alliance modeled after the European Union, creating a combined market valued at around $6 trillion. This bloc would help both countries achieve greater scale, expand business opportunities, and strengthen their global trade and security influence. He notes that, unlike the EU's complexity, cooperation between just South Korea and Japan could be implemented more efficiently, forming the world’s fourth-largest economic bloc, smaller than only China, the US, and the EU.

The alliance would initially focus on practical sectors such as semiconductors and energy, where both countries have complementary strengths. South Korea leads in memory chips, while Japan dominates semiconductor equipment and materials. Chey sees potential for joint development in AI-related semiconductor demand and hopes to deepen ties between companies like SK hynix and Japanese firms. In energy, both countries are resource-poor and dependent on imports, so Chey proposes joint purchasing, storage, and sharing of energy resources, including liquefied natural gas, electricity, and nuclear energy, to reduce costs and enhance security. He also highlights the opportunity for cooperation in hydrogen technology and shared infrastructure.