South Korea

정용진 회장도 참여한 '록브리지'...美 창립자 "한국 역할이 중요"

Hankyung | Local Language | News | Jan. 19, 2026 | UndeterminedBizdev-Partnering

Christopher Buskirk, co-founder of the Rokbridge Network and 1789 Capital, visited Korea from January 13 to 15, 2026, meeting with Rokbridge Korea officials and key figures in Korean political and economic sectors. Rokbridge Network, a significant political organization in the U.S., was founded by Buskirk and Vice President J.D. Vance. It launched in Korea as a policy think tank in November 2025, aiming to strengthen Korea-U.S. relations and address international affairs. Buskirk emphasized the importance of alliances like Korea for America's renewed global leadership under the Trump administration and highlighted Rokbridge's role in this process.

Jeong Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group and Asia chairman of Rokbridge, along with other prominent figures such as former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum and former Minister of Planning and Finance Park Jae-wan, participate in the Rokbridge Korea board. Buskirk officially joined the Rokbridge Korea board during his visit. The organization focuses on domestic and international policy issues, based on Korea-U.S. cooperation, and aims to be a platform for advancing Korea’s national interests beyond political divides.

Rokbridge Korea board members highlighted challenges facing Korea, including population decline, industrial competitiveness, shifts in the international order, and democratic crises. They emphasized the necessity of cooperation with allies like the U.S. and Japan to navigate these complex issues. Despite difficulties faced by policy think tanks in Korea, Rokbridge Korea intends to address broad social and political challenges through strategic engagement and collaboration.

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Jan. 19, 2026 | North Korea

Former U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Joseph Yun stated that North Korea would likely seek acknowledgment and acceptance of its nuclear weapons, similar to Pakistan's status, along with the lifting of sanctions if it agrees to dialogue with the United States. He suggested that these conditions represent North Korea’s bid to gain de facto nuclear state recognition outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) framework.

Yun noted that despite the Trump administration’s desire to resume talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Kim remains unprepared for dialogue. He attributed this reluctance to North Korea’s close ties with Russia and China, Pyongyang’s financial gains from supporting Russia in the Ukraine conflict and engaging in cyber theft, and past unresolved diplomatic disappointments, such as the failed 2019 Hanoi summit with Trump.

Highlighting South Korea’s crucial role in facilitating U.S.-North Korea talks, Yun emphasized that successful dialogue depends significantly on Seoul’s cooperation. He expressed confidence that the U.S. would approve South Korea’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines and support its efforts to secure civil uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing rights, referencing agreements made during a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Trump.

Regarding U.S. diplomatic staffing, Yun mentioned that the Trump administration is still seeking a senior envoy closely aligned with President Trump to serve as ambassador to South Korea, a position currently filled on an interim basis by Deputy Chief of Mission James Heller. Recalling his tenure as acting ambassador amid regional and political uncertainties, Yun affirmed that the U.S.-South Korea alliance remains strong despite recent challenges.

20층 높이 쓰레기산 '와르르'…작업자 등 28명 사망

Hankyung | Local Language | News | Jan. 19, 2026 | Accidents

A massive garbage pile collapse in central Cebu, Philippines, has resulted in the deaths of 28 workers, with search operations for eight missing individuals entering their tenth day. The collapse occurred on January 8 at the Binaliu village landfill in Cebu City, where about 50 people were buried under the 20-story high trash pile. So far, 18 people have been rescued and are receiving hospital treatment.

Search and recovery efforts involve around 300 personnel and two large cranes, but operations proceed cautiously due to the instability of the toxic gas-emitting garbage layers and risk of further collapse. The landfill is situated in a mountainous area vulnerable to landslides, complicating rescue efforts. Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse by interviewing survivors and relatives of the missing.

Local criticism describes the disaster as man-made, citing poor management and the landfill's proximity to residential areas, which has long caused complaints over odors, water pollution, and traffic. After the landfill suspended operations, Cebu City’s waste management system faced a crisis. The city, home to approximately one million people, is negotiating with neighboring areas to handle its daily waste production of 500–600 tons. The Philippine Minister of Environment and Natural Resources has called for a long-term waste management plan for the region.