South Korea

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Nov. 20, 2025 | Shifting Geopolitical Alliances

Chinese Ambassador Dai Bing and Japanese Ambassador Koichi Mizushima presented contrasting views on regional order at the Seoul Diplomacy Forum on November 18, 2025, avoiding direct discussion of the Taiwan issue amid heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Dai criticized what he described as a residual Cold War mentality, exclusive groups, and protectionism primarily linked to unnamed countries, implicitly referring to the United States. He emphasized China’s stance against tariff, trade, and technology wars but warned China would defend its core interests if challenged. Dai urged Korea to maintain balanced relations with both China and the U.S.

In contrast, Mizushima highlighted Japan’s commitment to alliances and international norms, advocating for a multi-layered network including the Korea-U.S.-Japan alliance and the Quad. He noted revitalized shuttle diplomacy between Korea and Japan and Korea’s expanding diplomatic outreach into Central Asia and Africa. On North Korea, Dai stressed China’s historic ties and shared interest in stability, whereas Mizushima characterized North Korea as a regional threat and emphasized denuclearization and Japan’s abduction issue, with Korea’s support.

Singapore Ambassador Wong Kai Jiun provided a middle-power perspective on managing great-power rivalry, underscoring the need for closer cooperation among smaller states as the U.S. turns inward and China advances global initiatives amid domestic challenges. He praised Korea’s pragmatic diplomacy and its role in ASEAN cooperation and global transitions. Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, speaking through an envoy, reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and the importance of restoring dialogue, regardless of the sequence of talks involving the U.S. and North Korea.

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Nov. 20, 2025 | UndeterminedEnergy Prices

Gasoline prices in Seoul have risen above 1,800 won ($1.20) per liter for the first time in nine months, reaching 1,801.28 won as of November 18, 2025. This marks the first time since February 6, 2025, that prices have exceeded this level. Nationwide, the average gasoline price was slightly lower at 1,730.27 won per liter. Diesel prices also increased, with Seoul seeing a rise to 1,709.56 won and the national average reaching 1,637 won.

The increase in domestic fuel prices has been driven by three consecutive weeks of rising international refined product prices due to approaching winter and supply instability, combined with a weaker won making imported crude more expensive. Additionally, the government’s reduction of fuel tax cuts since October—from 10 percent to 7 percent for gasoline and from 15 percent to 10 percent for diesel and LPG—has added upward pressure on prices, amounting to about 25 won per liter for gasoline and 29 won for diesel.

Industry experts expect fuel prices to continue climbing unless there is a clear reversal in global oil prices, with current trends suggesting Seoul may soon surpass this year’s peak gasoline price of 1,807.96 won recorded in late January. The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Resources has responded by convening a petroleum market review meeting, requesting voluntary cooperation from industry players to prevent excessive price hikes.

Rising fuel costs are contributing to consumer inflation and affecting sectors such as logistics, highlighting the broader economic impact of the sustained increase in oil prices and fuel taxes in South Korea.

"잇달은 해킹 사고...민관 구분 없을 정도로 공동 대응 해야"

ZD Net Korea | Local Language | News | Nov. 20, 2025 | Cyber Attacks and Data Loss

This year has seen multiple high-profile cybersecurity breaches impacting major corporations such as SKT, KT, and Lotte Card, alongside numerous supply-chain attacks targeting partner firms to access larger companies’ data. The country also faces ongoing sophisticated cyberattacks from state actors like China and North Korea, aimed at government institutions and economic targets. Experts emphasize the need for a comprehensive inspection of the depth and nature of these cyber threats penetrating society.

At the 7th Cybersecurity Policy Forum on November 18, panelists concurred that current responses to breaches focus too heavily on individual security personnel and superficial measures, such as appointing CISOs or temporarily increasing budgets, without addressing systemic issues. They highlighted the necessity of transforming the entire cybersecurity ecosystem, advocating for revitalizing the information security market through broad investment and structural changes.

Security operations personnel voiced concerns that government and corporate security policies are often ineffective and poorly communicated, resulting in temporary fixes rather than sustained improvements. They stressed the importance of continuous security efforts and called for ongoing cooperation among private companies, government bodies, and investigative agencies to maintain a robust information security cycle.

Panelists agreed on strengthening coordinated frameworks across the public and private sectors, emphasizing the need for seamless sharing of breach data and attacker intelligence. Current decision-making processes exclude private sector involvement in crucial deliberations on security policies. Experts proposed eliminating the distinction between public and private sectors to facilitate real-time information sharing and joint responses, highlighting progress by the National Intelligence Service in sharing investigative tools as a positive step toward integrated cybersecurity efforts.