South Korea

“트럼프, 우라늄 농축 동업 제안”…이 대통령이 밝힌 한미정상회담 뒷이야기

Maekyung | Local Language | News | Dec. 5, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

President Lee Jae-myung revealed that during the Korea-US summit in Gyeongju last October, former US President Donald Trump proposed a joint uranium enrichment venture with South Korea, premised on Korea producing its own enriched uranium. Trump suggested a 50-50 investment and profit-sharing arrangement. Lee entrusted the matter to US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. The joint fact sheet from the summit indicated agreement on South Korea’s civilian uranium enrichment and reprocessing for peaceful purposes, signaling possible concrete cooperation. However, practical discussions have not yet begun, partly due to US concerns over potential South Korean nuclear armament ambitions.

The proposed joint venture likely involves establishing a multilateral uranium enrichment facility jointly operated and invested in by South Korea and the US. Experts note that such a project would ensure nuclear non-proliferation, an important consideration given recent global uranium supply disruptions like the Russia-Ukraine war. Lee clarified that uranium enrichment and fuel reprocessing, as civilian activities, do not directly violate the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). He also addressed South Korea’s efforts to introduce nuclear-powered submarines, highlighting that while these are military assets, they contain no nuclear weapons or detonators and thus do not conflict with non-proliferation rules. He emphasized the strategic and economic benefits of domestic production.

Additionally, President Lee expressed a willingness to apologize to North Korea over the previous administration's distribution of leaflets that raised inter-Korean tensions but hesitated due to political sensitivities. On diplomacy, Lee indicated plans to discuss security cooperation with China alongside cultural and economic exchanges, aiming for a summit with President Xi Jinping early next year. On Japan, he reiterated a "two-track diplomacy" approach, separating historical disputes such as the Sado mine and Dokdo from ongoing economic, security, and cultural cooperation.

SB 세커 바이낸스 아·태 총괄 "한국은 디지털자산 트렌드 선행지표"

ZD Net Korea | Local Language | News | Dec. 5, 2025 | UndeterminedInvestor Sentiment

SB Secker, Head of Binance Asia-Pacific, identified South Korea as a leading market where digital asset trends emerge first, noting that Korean investors quickly adopt new asset classes and influence global trends. He highlighted that Korean financial authorities have established one of Asia's most advanced regulatory frameworks, now entering a phase focused on consumer protection.

Secker praised the regulatory infrastructure provided by the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service, pointing out completed frameworks around trading structures, wallet systems, the Travel Rule, and corporate account criteria. He compared Korea’s regulatory maturity to Singapore’s, emphasizing the shift toward enhancing consumer safeguards.

Regarding Binance’s acquisition of Korean exchange Gopax, Secker explained that the renewal of Gopax’s VASP license and shareholder restructuring are ongoing and contingent on regulatory approval. The timeline for resolving Gopax deposit issues remains uncertain, dependent on licensing and acquisition structure considerations. Stabilizing Gopax operations and introducing Binance’s technology within Korea’s regulatory framework are current priorities.

On broader Asian market trends, Secker noted that regulations vary significantly by country, with differing financial security, custody, and currency stability rules. Binance aims to understand these nuances and offer tailored technical solutions. He underscored investor protection efforts, including AI-based verification and global cooperation to prevent fraud, describing blocking illicit funds as a core exchange responsibility.

Secker concluded by emphasizing APAC’s rapid growth and regulatory complexity, with Binance committed to delivering technology and regulatory compliance solutions across diverse Asian markets, including South Korea.

Yonhap | English | News | Dec. 5, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

President Lee Jae Myung highlighted securing U.S. approval for South Korea to build nuclear-powered submarines as a significant achievement from his recent summits with U.S. President Donald Trump. Lee expressed a preference for the submarines to be constructed domestically in South Korea rather than at the Philadelphia shipyard in the U.S., citing economic and security advantages. He emphasized that this development enhances South Korea's strategic autonomy and flexibility.

Lee dismissed concerns about the move undermining the international nonproliferation regime, affirming South Korea's commitment to nonproliferation and clarifying that nuclear submarines do not involve nuclear weapons or proliferation activities. He reaffirmed the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as a shared principle and insisted that any nuclear buildup would be counterproductive and invite severe consequences.

On inter-Korean relations, Lee urged that stalled ties between the two Koreas should not hinder efforts to restart talks between the U.S. and North Korea, stating that North Korea primarily seeks security guarantees from the U.S. He offered South Korea’s assistance in creating conditions conducive to dialogue, including scaling down joint military drills with the U.S., in an effort to serve as a "pacemaker" for peace.

Lee also addressed regional issues, expressing South Korea’s intention to remain neutral amid China-Japan tensions and to potentially act as a mediator. While acknowledging historical grievances with Japan related to colonial rule, he emphasized the importance of maintaining cooperation in economic, security, and cultural areas. Regarding Russia’s potential influence on North Korea, Lee noted its limited role due to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

Finally, Lee confirmed he contemplated apologizing to North Korea for leaflets sent during a previous South Korean administration but refrained, fearing it might provoke domestic ideological conflicts. He criticized the former government’s handling of military tensions with North Korea, warning of a near outbreak of war linked to martial law attempts.