South Korea

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | UndeterminedReal Estate

Korea's heritage authorities and the Seoul Metropolitan Government have held initial talks to address disagreements over a proposed high-rise redevelopment project near Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site in central Seoul. Officials from the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Seoul city government met to discuss practical matters ahead of further coordination between central and local authorities. No consensus was reached on whether a heritage impact assessment is needed for the project.

The redevelopment plan involves Sewoon District 4, located directly across from Jongmyo Shrine, where the city has decided to double the building height limit to 145 meters. Heritage officials argue this could harm the shrine’s historic landscape, while the city contends the project would rejuvenate the area by adding new open green spaces. UNESCO has requested a heritage impact assessment, but Seoul has not yet responded. Additional preliminary talks and a full coordination meeting involving senior officials are planned to resolve the dispute.

정부, 정유·주유소 업계에 기름값 인상 자제 당부

ET News | Local Language | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | Regulation

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held a petroleum market inspection meeting on December 10, 2025, with major refiners, discount suppliers, and industry associations. The government urged the refining and gas station industry to refrain from excessive fuel price increases amid a recent upward trend in international petroleum prices.

Domestic petroleum product prices had increased sharply over the past month but stabilized at the start of December. However, international gasoline prices, which influence domestic prices, have turned upward again, rising to $79.4 per barrel in early December after a brief decline.

The ministry requested voluntary cooperation from the industry to avoid sharp price hikes and encouraged discount suppliers to help keep prices stable to reduce public burden. It plans to continue holding inspection meetings as needed and will maintain an inter-ministerial inspection team involving multiple government bodies to oversee the petroleum market.

Additionally, the ministry will upgrade the Opinet mobile app by early 2026 to offer consumers tailored gas station information based on vehicle-specific fuel efficiency, travel metrics, and prices to enhance consumer benefits.

Yonhap | English | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | North Korea

Senator Andy Kim, a Korean American lawmaker from New Jersey, expressed serious concerns over the recent U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS) for its "deprioritization" of the Korean Peninsula. He criticized the strategy for omitting a U.S. commitment to North Korea's denuclearization and for failing to recognize Russia as a threat, warning that such omissions could lead the U.S. and its allies "down a very dangerous path." Kim argued the strategy effectively reduces America's global role to that of a regional power, which he believes is the wrong direction for U.S. national security.

The NSS, released by the Trump administration, prioritizes reasserting American influence in the Western Hemisphere, deterring conflict over Taiwan, and promoting burden-sharing with allies. Regarding concerns about a possible U.S. troop reduction in South Korea, Kim highlighted the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes measures to prevent unilateral withdrawal of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) personnel. The House has passed the NDAA, and the Senate is expected to approve it, after which it will require the President's signature to become law.

Kim emphasized that decisions about troop levels should involve consultation with South Korea, underscoring the importance of partnership and strategic alliance. He pledged strong opposition to any efforts by the current administration to reduce U.S. forces in South Korea without allied and congressional agreement. Recently, U.S.-South Korea joint documents omitted language committing to maintaining the current 28,500 USFK troop level, raising concerns over potential future reductions.

The press conference marked one year since Kim became the first Korean American senator, a milestone that raised hopes for his influential role in supporting the Korean American community, strengthening the Seoul-Washington alliance, and addressing North Korea's nuclear threat. Kim's extensive foreign policy background includes service at the National Security Council, Pentagon, State Department, USAID, and advisory roles to top generals in Afghanistan.