South Korea

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Nov. 26, 2025 | Epidemics and Pandemics

Korea is experiencing an unusually early and intense flu season in 2025, driven by a new sub-variant of the H3N2 influenza virus called subclade K. This variant has rapidly spread among school-age children and teenagers, causing flu cases to increase 14 times compared to the same period last year. It accounted for 97.2 percent of all flu samples tested nationwide from November 1 to 8. This sub-variant is part of a global surge, also seen in countries such as the United States, Japan, Britain, and Canada.

The emergence of subclade K has created a mismatch with the current flu vaccine, which targets different virus strains selected in February 2025. The vaccine covers H1N1, H3N2 J, and B-Victoria strains but not subclade K, which appeared after vaccine composition decisions were made. Despite this, health experts emphasize the importance of vaccination because it still significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and complications like pneumonia. Recent data from Britain suggest vaccination lowers hospitalization risk by 75 percent in children and 40 percent in adults.

Health authorities urge the public to get vaccinated swiftly, especially as flu activity may soon increase among older adults. Individuals with symptoms such as high fever or muscle pain are advised to seek immediate medical care and use antiviral treatments if necessary. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) continues to monitor the situation closely amid concerns about outbreaks in vulnerable settings such as long-term care facilities.

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Nov. 26, 2025 | UndeterminedMergers & Acquisitions

SK earthon, a Korean oil exploration and production company, has acquired a 34% stake in the North Ketapang oil block located northeast of Java Island in Indonesia. The stake was purchased from Malaysia's Petronas North Ketapang, which retains a 51% share, alongside Indonesia’s state-run PT Pertamina Hulu Energi North Ketapang holding 15%.

This investment aligns with SK earthon's strategy to expand its overseas E&P activities and establish a resource development cluster in Southeast Asia, aiming to develop Indonesia as its regional E&P hub. SK earthon also has ongoing projects in Vietnam, China, and Malaysia.

The company anticipates synergies from partnering with experienced operators Petronas and Pertamina. In addition to the North Ketapang block, SK earthon secured stakes in the Serpang and Binaiya blocks through Indonesian government auctions earlier this year. Since 2022, SK earthon has generated over 1 trillion won ($716.6 million) annually from its overseas E&P projects.

SK earthon is a wholly owned subsidiary of SK Innovation, Korea’s leading refiner and a major affiliate of SK Group, a conglomerate with diversified businesses including semiconductors and construction.

[토론회] 법원행정처 폐지·사법위원회 설치 등 ‘제왕적 대법원장 체제’ 개혁해야 합니다

People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy | Local Language | AcademicThink | Nov. 26, 2025 | UndeterminedLegal Exposure

On November 20, 2025, PSPD and Minbyun held a symposium titled “Unfinished Judicial Manipulation, Where Should Judicial Reform Go?” addressing ongoing concerns about judicial manipulation under the former Chief Justice Yang Seung-tae. The first-instance acquittal of Yang and other senior justices was criticized as revealing the judiciary’s lack of will and capacity for self-correction, with rulings seen as overly formalistic and granting de facto immunity. Evidence of systematic manipulation included trading rulings to influence political outcomes, surveillance of judges, interference in union activities, and use of internal judicial data for political leverage, all linked to centralized power in the Chief Justice-led Court Administration Office.

International human rights bodies condemned these abuses, urging South Korea to ensure judicial independence and sanction misconduct effectively. Despite some reforms, including the Judicial Development Committee and personnel changes, efforts to dismantle the Chief Justice’s centralized authority have stalled due to institutional resistance and incomplete legislative amendments. The reform agenda calls for abolishing the Court Administration Office and establishing an independent Judicial Committee with a balanced composition of judges and external, politically neutral members to oversee judicial administration.

Panelists highlighted the need for comprehensive judicial reform beyond piecemeal proposals, arguing that the imperial Chief Justice system fosters judicial manipulation and inhibits transparency and accountability. Recommendations include decentralizing judicial administration, increasing judicial participation in management, reinforcing democratic oversight, and revising the Supreme Court’s structure to improve case handling efficiency and fairness. Additional suggestions emphasize victim rights, public access to court information, and enhanced disciplinary transparency. Concerns were raised that current judicial reform discussions remain limited in scope and risk replicating past authoritarian judicial structures, underscoring the importance of citizen involvement and macro-level legislative action to ensure lasting change.