South Korea

Yonhap | English | News | Nov. 21, 2025 | Accidents

A government panel investigating the Jeju Air crash that occurred on December 29, 2024, at Muan International Airport plans to hold a public hearing on December 4 and 5, 2025, to announce interim results of its probe. The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB), under the transport ministry, is conducting the investigation following the fatal accident that resulted in the deaths of 179 passengers and crew. The hearing aims to verify facts and conduct technical assessments related to the crash, including sessions on bird strikes, localizer facilities, aircraft fuselage, and aviation.

However, the bereaved families of the victims have vowed to boycott and block the hearing, criticizing the ARAIB for lacking neutrality and independence due to its affiliation with the transport ministry. They argue that the ministry has a conflict of interest and should bear responsibility for the accident. The families demand the suspension of the investigation until the ARAIB's jurisdiction is transferred to the prime minister’s office, expressing distrust in the ongoing investigation process.

Hankyoreh - E | English | News | Nov. 21, 2025 | North Korea

North Korea has strongly condemned the recent security agreements between the US and South Korea, criticizing the explicit mention of denuclearization of North Korea as evidence of a hostile and confrontational policy by Washington and Seoul. The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) accused the US-ROK alliance of increasing regional instability and declared that North Korea would adopt “more justified and realistic countermeasures.”

Pyongyang objected to the use of the phrase “complete denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” interpreting it as a denial of North Korea’s sovereignty. They also rejected references to the 2018 US-North Korea summit agreement, which North Korea claims was nullified by the US. Furthermore, North Korea condemned South Korea's approval to build nuclear-powered submarines, warning it would destabilize military security in the Asia-Pacific, encourage nuclear proliferation, and trigger an arms race.

In response, South Korea’s presidential office reaffirmed its stance of having no hostile intentions and expressed commitment to restoring mutual trust and easing inter-Korean tensions. Analysts noted that North Korea’s reaction, delivered through a state media commentary rather than high-level official statements, indicated a calibrated and cautious response. Experts suggest North Korea remains open to talks but insists that US policy on denuclearization must be revised before dialogue can resume.

SK지오센트릭, 에탄 본격 도입…NCC 경쟁력 강화

ZD Net Korea | Local Language | News | Nov. 21, 2025 | UndeterminedTech Development/Adoption

SK Geocentric is shifting away from a naphtha-centered feedstock structure by fully introducing ethane to enhance the competitiveness of its naphtha cracking plant (NCC). The company signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SK Gas to secure a stable ethane supply chain, improve feedstock economics, and advance the petrochemical industry's structure. The two firms plan to finalize the timing and volumes of ethane supply based on this agreement.

SK Geocentric aims to diversify its feedstock structure and improve process efficiency through ethane introduction, while SK Gas will manage procurement, transportation, price negotiations, and infrastructure development for stable ethane supply, especially in the North American region. Together, they plan an integrated supply chain system from import to consumption, ensuring price competitiveness and supply stability for feedstock.

Ethane offers lower price volatility and higher ethylene production efficiency compared to naphtha and is widely used by major petrochemical companies globally, driven by the expansion of North American shale gas production. Despite maritime transportation and terminal costs, ethane remains cost-competitive due to stable shale gas-based supply. SK Gas is developing ethane storage and handling terminals based on its LPG/LNG infrastructure to supply feedstock reliably to Ulsan petrochemical complex companies, including SK Geocentric.

SK Geocentric’s president Choi An-seop highlighted that the ethane collaboration with SK Gas will enhance NCC competitiveness and stabilize operations amid structural downturns in the petrochemical industry. SK Gas president Yoon Byung-seok emphasized ethane’s potential beyond feedstock, including as a next-generation energy source for hydrogen production and power generation, aiming to accelerate feedstock diversification and industry structural improvements in Korea.