South Korea
Explore our coverage of South Korea’s politics, economics, business and culture, in articles, charts, podcasts and video
Asia
South Korea’s unrepentant president is on the brink
His attempt to impose martial law has triggered a constitutional crisis
By Invitation
South Korea’s crisis highlights both fragility and resilience, writes Wi Sung-lac
The country is deeply polarised, but its living memory of military rule strengthens its commitment to democracy
Asia
South Korea’s president survives an impeachment vote
More attempts to remove Yoon Suk Yeol will follow
Leaders
Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea should resign, or be impeached
His coup attempt was foiled. But grave tests still remain for the country
Asia
Martial law in South Korea—and then not. What comes next?
A rash, unexpected move by Yoon Suk Yeol, the president, tests the country’s democracy
Asia
North Korea’s fanatical regime just got scarier
A new missile test, troops to Russia and death sentences for K-pop
Culture
Han Kang wins the Nobel prize in literature for 2024
The South Korean author offers another example of the country’s cultural clout
Culture
Turn down the K-pop and pay attention to K-healing
The rise of South Korean books about burnout has taken the world by storm
Asia
Private tutoring is booming across poorer parts of Asia
Governments are struggling to keep up with an educational arms race
Asia
Kim Beom-su, the billionaire founder of Kakao, faces trial
But will the tech entrepreneur be seen as “too big to jail”?
Asia
Could Japan and South Korea finally become friends?
Younger generations are less concerned with their countries shared history
Asia
What a Japanese gold mine says about its approach to history
The site, recently declared a World Heritage site, is more contentious than it seems
Asia
What if South Korea got a nuclear bomb?
An America First world will force allies to face uncomfortable questions
Leaders
Japan and South Korea are getting friendlier. At last
As the world economy fragments, two export powerhouses see the virtue of chumminess