South Korea

Intelligence for Better Decision Making

South Korea Responds to Intensifying Cold Wave and Heavy Snow Risks

Jan. 12, 2026 | Societal Resilience

South Korea is preparing for heavy snowfall, a severe cold wave and associated hazards that are expected to intensify through the weekend and into early next week.

**Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has ordered central and local authorities to prepare comprehensively for the incoming cold snap and heavy snow.**
The Korea Meteorological Agency forecasts significant accumulation in central inland regions and the southwestern Jeolla area until Monday, followed by persistently low temperatures and a heightened risk of black ice. Kim directed the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to activate emergency duty systems early, adopt flexible disaster response levels and reinforce controls in high-risk zones. Authorities must prioritize monitoring and assisting vulnerable populations, including the elderly and the homeless, disseminate clear safety information to the public and deploy equipment and personnel for preemptive snow removal.

**The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will preposition snowplows and secure staging areas for clearing highways and major thoroughfares, while the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment will oversee rapid snow removal in national parks, regulate trail access under alert conditions and ensure prompt power restoration during outages.**
Officials cautioned local governments against administrative lapses during weekend schedules and early-year staffing changes, mandating proactive snow removal on residential streets, bridges and roads prone to icing. In Jeolla, where heavy snow may mix with rain, authorities will enforce enhanced traffic controls and conduct structural inspections to prevent collapses or community isolation. Agencies will coordinate region-specific advisories with media outlets to maintain timely public awareness.

**Over the recent weekend, heavy snowfall, strong winds and plunging temperatures caused multiple casualties and infrastructure damage.**
On the Seosan–Yeongdeok Expressway in North Gyeongsang Province, icy roads triggered a chain-reaction crash involving about 30 vehicles that claimed five lives. In Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi Province, gale-force winds toppled a 15-meter-wide signboard and fatally struck a pedestrian, who later died despite emergency response efforts. On January 10, strong winds ignited a wildfire in Bibong-ri, Uiseong-gun, North Gyeongsang Province; firefighters mounted a Level 2 response, and an ensuing snowstorm largely contained the blaze within three hours. Mop-up operations continue to prevent re-ignition, and no casualties were reported.

**In response to these compounding hazards, the government raised its disaster crisis alert from ‘interest’ to ‘caution’ and activated Level 1 of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.**
Relevant ministries and local administrations have reinforced emergency protocols with expanded welfare checks and protective measures for at-risk groups. Meteorological authorities project that severe cold, heavy snow and strong winds will persist through January 11, and official guidance requires that heavy-snow response measures remain in effect until all secondary risks, notably black ice, are fully mitigated.

**Seoul district governments are intensifying efforts to safeguard vulnerable residents amid the ongoing cold wave.**
From November 15 through March 15, Songpa-gu has conducted 562 in-person visits and 1,462 phone checks for seniors living alone, along with additional outreach to other at-risk groups. Jungnang-gu operates a heated Dawn Job Rest Shelter for early-morning construction workers and delivers winter educational programs for students and parents. Gwangjin-gu has designated eight municipal libraries as daily cold-wave shelters until March 15, offering warm spaces, hand warmers, blankets and a ‘Libraries Are Hot’ cultural campaign to reduce heating costs. Dongdaemun-gu’s Climate-Vulnerable Cold Wave ZERO Campaign focuses on seniors around Cheongnyangni Station, distributing practical health information. Jung-gu assembled and dispatched 820 cold-wave prevention kits containing winter clothing and informational brochures through one-to-one visits by disaster prevention volunteers and staff, who also assessed residents’ housing and health conditions.

Washington Raises Objections to South Korea’s Digital Platform Law Revisions Amid Trade Talks

Jan. 12, 2026 | Geopolitics & Defense

South Korea’s recent amendments to its Information and Communications Network Act and the Online Platform Act have prompted significant concern in Washington.

**South Korea amended its digital platform laws to tighten oversight of content and curb false or fabricated information online.**
US officials warn that several provisions could force platforms to manage content more rigorously, impose fines, or require data localization, creating uneven compliance costs that disadvantage American firms such as Google and Amazon.

**At the State Department, officials publicly cautioned that the changes may restrict freedom of expression and place disproportionate burdens on US platforms.**
The US House Appropriations Committee labeled the Onple Act’s obligations discriminatory toward American tech companies and urged the US Trade Representative (USTR) to consider trade remedies. USTR statements have signaled a willingness to use “all available means” against digital regulations modeled on the European Union framework if they harm US industry.

**Amid these objections and ongoing Korea-US tariff negotiations, Seoul briefly paused debate on the platform bills to avoid exacerbating bilateral tensions.**
Domestic pressure resurfaced after a high-profile incident at the e-commerce company Coupang, prompting lawmakers and consumer advocates to renew calls for tighter oversight of platform operations and stronger misinformation controls.

**On January 11, 2026, Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, who also directs the Office for Trade Negotiations, departed Incheon for Washington, D.C.**
He will hold bilateral talks with USTR officials, testify before the House Appropriations Committee, and host private roundtables with industry stakeholders to address specific regulatory provisions and their potential impact on international platforms.

**Minister Yeo emphasizes that South Korea’s goal is to enhance transparency in digital content and protect consumers from misinformation, not to single out foreign companies or erect unnecessary trade barriers.**
He plans to clarify the legislative objectives and technical details—such as content moderation criteria, standards for identifying false information, and appeals processes for platform operators—to correct misperceptions and build a cooperative framework for digital regulation within the broader Korea-US trade relationship.

Monitored Intelligence for South Korea - Jan. 12, 2026

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똑같이 털렸으면서 서로 ‘내가 보안 1등’이래…어이없는 진흙탕 싸움

They got hacked the same way but each claims to be the top in security… a ridiculous mudslinging fight

Maekyung | Local Language | News | Jan. 12, 2026 | Cyber Attacks and Data Loss

Three major South Korean mobile carriers—KT, SK Telecom, and LG Uplus—are engaged in aggressive and contentious marketing campaigns following a series of cyberattacks that compromised their security and exposed user data. Each carrier has attempted to capitalize on rivals' hacking incidents, using fear-driven and disparaging promotional phrases to attract subscribers, leading to increased user anxiety and widespread contract cancellations.

From December 31 to January 8, KT alone saw 154,851 users cancel their mobile service contracts, with an average daily loss exceeding 20,000 customers. Defections are also occurring at SK Telecom and LG Uplus, prompting forecasts that monthly number-porting (switching carriers) could spike to 900,000 to 1,000,000—significantly above the historical 500,000 to 600,000 range since the Mobile Device Distribution Act was enacted.

The carriers’ heated marketing tactics include slogans that directly attack competitors’ security failures, such as SK Telecom’s and LG Uplus's advertisements targeting KT’s hacking incident, and KT’s retaliation against SK Telecom. This has ignited criticism and caused alarm among users, especially as unverified claims about unauthorized fund withdrawals circulated online. This adversarial approach contradicts previous calls from LG Uplus's CEO and formal complaints from the carriers, which had requested regulatory intervention against fear-based tactics.

In response, the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission (BMCC) has intervened, cautioning carriers against excessive and misleading promotional practices and announcing enhanced inspections. Administrative guidance was issued, restricting promotional content that disparages competitors or causes unnecessary fear, with explicit prohibitions on false or exaggerated advertising and improper sales activities. Carriers have since adjusted their marketing materials and received directives to stop inflaming consumer anxiety, as the BMCC commits to ongoing market oversight and strict supervision to protect users.

"통신·반도체 이어 로봇·방산에 도전장" [민지혜의 알토란 중기]

After telecommunications and semiconductors, taking on robotics and defense industries [Min Ji-hye's Altoran SME]

Hankyung | Local Language | News | Jan. 12, 2026 | UndeterminedTech Development/Adoption

Battery Power Solution, led by CEO Park Dong-hwan, is expanding its focus from semiconductors and telecommunications into renewable energy, robotics, data centers, and defense industries. The company has developed a battery pack connected to solar panels that enables communication during power outages or disasters, with applications being piloted at military bases using unused low-frequency broadcast spectrum. This technology earned the company recognition as one of 100 promising SMEs selected by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, as well as the Top SME Award in the previous year.

The company's competitive advantage lies in its vertical integration, performing precision machining and sheet metal work in-house, allowing rapid production of customized lithium-ion battery packs sourced from SK On Tech Plus. This strategy shortens turnaround times and enhances product flexibility compared to competitors who outsource components. A long-standing partnership with SK has supported the company’s supply of battery packs for telecom infrastructure and electric delivery carts. Annual revenues, recently around 20 billion won, are expected to increase through new segments such as high-capacity data center batteries and defense applications, where sales could surpass 15 billion won by 2030.

Battery Power Solution is also pursuing international expansion through cooperation with energy firms in countries like Indonesia and India, recently initiating talks with Indonesia’s Bogor Group. The company aims to diversify revenue sources beyond telecommunications, targeting growth in robotics and defense over the mid to long term. Preparations are underway for an IPO planned before 2030 to consolidate this multi-sector growth foundation.

North Korea slams Japan's push to revise 3 key national security documents

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Jan. 12, 2026 | North Korea

North Korea has strongly criticized Japan's initiative to revise three major national security documents— the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy, and the Defense Buildup Program—aimed at enhancing Japan's defense capabilities. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) warned that Japan's efforts would lead to its complete self-destruction.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced earlier in January 2026 that a review and revision of these documents would be conducted by the end of the year to protect Japan's independence, peace, and the safety of its citizens. However, North Korea condemned this move as a manifestation of "neo-militarism," accusing Japan of denying past wrongdoings and attempting to revive its imperial ambitions through rearmament.

KCNA emphasized that Japan's pursuit of militarization would ultimately result in failure rather than strength, citing historical evidence to support this claim. The statement portrays Japan’s military buildup as a dangerous path that will not strengthen the country but lead to its downfall.

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