Korea in Global Affairs

International news and analysis related to South Korea's role in global politics, trade, and diplomacy.

Takaichi Pushes Constitutional Revision; Trump Wishes "Success"

**Why Trump Sides Only with Japan** Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has expressed strong commitment to constitutional revision, calling it "the Liberal Democratic Party's official position." ...

Published 2026.02.09. 18:25:39 | By Kim Jung-wook

Japan Launches Four-Pronged Strategy to Challenge Korean Chip Dominance

Japan's semiconductor industry rebuilding efforts are accelerating. The nation is pouring tens of trillions of won in public-private funding to ensure...

Published 2026.02.09. 18:23:54 | By Cho Yang-jun

Western Europe Reels From Triple Storm Onslaught

Portugal and Spain are grappling with severe winter storms that have claimed lives, caused widespread blackouts, paralyzed transportation networks, an...

Published 2026.02.09. 18:17:55 | By Cho Soo-yeon, AX Content Lab

Coupang Wins Washington by Pledging to Boost U.S. Small Business Exports

Coupang has positioned itself as "a company that increases Korean exports for American small businesses" to win over U.S. political circles, according...

Published 2026.02.09. 18:15:55 | By Lee Tae-kyu, Washington Correspondent

China Faces Growth Rate Halving Without Market Reforms, Economist Warns

A warning has emerged from within China that the country's annual potential growth rate could fall to half its current level over the next decade with...

Published 2026.02.09. 18:14:44 | By Jung Da-eun, Beijing Correspondent

Corning Emerges as AI Darling After Two Decades of Losses

Corning, the American company that helped create Thomas Edison's incandescent light bulb, is gaining attention as a key component supplier in the arti...

Published 2026.02.09. 18:10:55 | By Park Si-jin

Canada Demands Auto, Steel Investments for Submarine Contract

Canada is demanding major investments in steel, automobiles, and energy from Korean and German companies bidding for its approximately $40 billion nex...

Published 2026.02.09. 18:09:05 | By Lee Wan-ki

China Warns, Taiwan Celebrates: Divergent Reactions to Takaichi's Election Victory

China and Taiwan issued sharply contrasting responses after Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, secured a l...

Published 2026.02.09. 16:53:39 | By Park Si-jin

Hong Kong Court Sentences Pro-Democracy Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai to 20 Years

Jimmy Lai, the 78-year-old founder of Hong Kong's pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Hong Kong court for vi...

Published 2026.02.09. 15:57:54 | By Daeun Chung, Beijing Correspondent

Trump Administration Slashes R&D Budget by Half in 'War on Science'

The Trump administration's sweeping cuts to science budgets are delivering a direct blow to small and medium-sized technology companies engaged in res...

Published 2026.02.09. 15:57:42 | By Park Min-ju

Coupang Emerges as Washington Power Player Despite Low U.S. Brand Recognition

Amid growing concerns in Washington's political circles over South Korea's investigation into Coupang, attention is turning to the e-commerce giant's ...

Published 2026.02.09. 15:27:48 | By Lee Tae-kyu, Washington Correspondent

AI.com Sells for Record $70 Million in Largest Domain Deal Ever

The domain AI.com sold for $70 million, marking the highest price ever paid for a domain name in history. Chris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com, acquire...

Published 2026.02.09. 15:10:49 | By Kim Jung-wook

US Treasury Chief Hails Japan Election Win: 'Strong Japan Strengthens America'

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said "a stronger Japan makes America stronger in Asia" following the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's landslide v...

Published 2026.02.09. 15:03:33 | By Lee Tae-kyu, Washington Correspondent

Trump Congratulates Takaichi on Historic Supermajority Win

U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on securing a supermajority for the first time since World War II. "...

Published 2026.02.09. 15:01:26 | By Lee Tae-kyu, Washington Correspondent

Veteran Lawmaker Warns Takaichi's Victory 'Not a Blank Check'

Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, a senior figure in the Liberal Democratic Party, has voiced caution over the LDP's landslide victory in Japan's ...

Published 2026.02.09. 14:57:39 | By Kim Jung-wook

Chinese 'Damas' Snap Up 432 Tons of Gold, Rattling Global Prices

Middle-aged women in China are ramping up investments in capital markets, following a similar trend in South Korea. Amid heightened volatility in gold...

Published 2026.02.09. 14:41:31 | By Park Si-jin

Pop Mart's Labubu Tops 100 Million Units Sold Globally

Pop Mart's character doll "Labubu," which has taken the world by storm, has surpassed 100 million units in sales. According to state-run Global Times...

Published 2026.02.09. 14:35:05 | By Daeun Chung, Beijing Correspondent

Kenya Warns 'Money Bouquets' Could Bring 7-Year Prison Term Ahead of Valentine's Day

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has warned that making so-called "money bouquets" using banknotes constitutes illegal currency defacement and could re...

Published 2026.02.09. 12:46:22 | By Kim Do-yeon, AX Content Lab

Japan Finance Minister Warns Against Tapping $1.4T Forex Reserves

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama urged caution over using foreign exchange reserves to fund spending and tax cuts. According to Reuters on ...

Published 2026.02.09. 11:28:48 | By Yoon-sun Park

Japan's Nikkei Hits Record High After Ruling Party's Election Landslide

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average surged to an all-time high on the 9th, following the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's decisive victory in the House ...

Published 2026.02.09. 09:45:09 | By Jo Yang-jun