Kim Jong-un sidelines father’s 'Songun' legacy as his own era takes shape

North Korea’s muted commemoration this week of a key anniversary tied to former leader Kim Jong-il offers another glimpse into a broader transformation under his son: an effort to build a state defined increasingly by Kim Jong-un himself, not the legacies of the two leaders who came before him. The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, relegated its coverage of the Aug. 25 anniversary associated with Kim Jong-il’s “Songun,” or military-first, leadership to

2026-08-26 15:24:16:00

[Key Points] Seoul braces for fallout from expanded US sanctions on Iran

Iran sanctions ripple: South Korea is assessing how expanded US secondary sanctions on Iran could affect energy costs, trade and financial markets. Five sectors targeted: Washington’s “Operation Economic Outcast” broadens sanctions exposure for third-country firms dealing with Iran in digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping. China in focus: China buys more than 80 percent of Iran’s oil exports, raising the risk of fresh US-China friction if Washington targets Chinese refiners and

2026-08-25 17:24:03:00

[Key Points] Why a Trump-Kim summit looks harder this time

Summit odds dim: Prospects for a Trump-Kim meeting are fading as North Korea’s stronger nuclear arsenal, closer Russia ties and rejection of denuclearization reduce its incentive to compromise. Balance has shifted: Unlike in 2018, Pyongyang now has a more mature nuclear force and multiple delivery systems, leaving Washington with fewer military or diplomatic pressure points. Trump seeks win: Analysts say Trump may view renewed North Korea diplomacy as a potential foreign policy breakthrough ahea

2026-08-25 17:21:58:00

Seoul assessing impact of expanded US sanctions on Iran

South Korea is assessing the potential impact of Washington's sweeping new sanctions campaign against Iran, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday, as concerns grow that they could push up global oil prices and add another source of friction between the United States and China. The US on Monday launched "Operation Economic Outcast," expanding the risk of secondary sanctions for third parties doing business with Iran in five key sectors — digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipp

2026-08-25 16:01:48:00

Pessimism grows over prospects for Trump-Kim summit despite renewed outreach

Skepticism is growing over the likelihood of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, with the changing strategic environment looming large over Trump's renewed push. While Trump repeatedly indicated that a meeting was in the works, highlighting his relationship with the North Korean leader, analysts say the balance has shifted significantly since their first summit in Singapore in 2018. North Korea now possesses a larger and more sophisticated nuclear ars

2026-08-25 15:03:11:00

[Key Points] Japan’s rightward shift puts Korea-Japan ties to the test

Ties face stress: Japan’s rightward political shift under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is putting renewed pressure on Seoul and Tokyo’s effort to keep historical disputes separate from security and economic cooperation. Two-track strategy tested: South Korea’s Institute for National Security Strategy warns that political instability and conservative policies in Japan could weaken shuttle diplomacy and push bilateral relations toward deterioration. Yasukuni tensions flare: Takaichi avoided visit

2026-08-24 17:09:58:00

Japan’s rightward shift tests Korea-Japan ties as Takaichi marks first year

Seoul and Tokyo’s effort to keep historical disputes from derailing broader cooperation is facing a fresh test as Japan’s rightward political shift brings long-standing flashpoints back to the fore. An analysis released by South Korea’s Institute for National Security Strategy last week warned that growing political instability in Japan, coupled with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s conservative agenda, could weaken the momentum behind "shuttle diplomacy" and potentially spark a period o

2026-08-24 14:49:16:00

Four-legged lifesavers: Inside Korea’s growing canine blood donation network

Cappu is 7 years old, weighs 31 kilograms and, by most measures, lives an ordinary golden retriever’s life. But over the past four years, he has quietly built up an unusual record: 10 blood donations. His latest and final donation came on July 31 at Konkuk University’s KU I’m Dognor Blood Donation Center in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. By then, Cappu had collected the full set of colorful scarves the center gives canine donors as they mark each donation milestone. For his guardian, Jo Hang-deok, the idea

2026-08-22 16:00:00:00

Seoul’s ‘pacemaker’ role faces test as US-North Korea diplomacy raises sidelining concerns

President Lee Jae Myung has cast South Korea as a “pacemaker” supporting US President Donald Trump’s efforts to become a “peacemaker” on the Korean Peninsula. But as signs of possible renewed US-North Korea dialogue gather pace, concerns are growing that Seoul could instead find itself increasingly sidelined — particularly if Washington and Pyongyang move toward direct leader-level diplomacy on terms that leave South Korea’s own security concerns insufficiently reflected. Lee proposed multilater

2026-08-21 17:43:34:00

Seoul sees US-N. Korea dialogue as most realistic way to halt Pyongyang’s nuclear advance

South Korea’s Unification Ministry on Friday said restarting US-North Korea dialogue and first halting Pyongyang’s expanding nuclear capabilities is the most realistic way forward, pushing back against concerns that US President Donald Trump’s latest overtures could leave Seoul sidelined or amount to tacit acceptance of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal. A senior ministry official said that with North Korea continuing to expand its nuclear capabilities and inter-Korean relations at a standstill, ren

2026-08-21 14:39:02:00