Global Scans · South Korea · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: South Korea may go nuclear if Trump cancels the missile deployment and leaves the country alone facing the North's threats. With the President facing an impeachment vote and mass demonstrations on the streets political and economic turmoil may follow. Chinese markets has already shaken South Korea, where central bankers downgraded their forecasts for economic growth.

• [New] Easing visa requirements for Chinese group tours to South Korea and for visitors to China are expected to stimulate short-term inbound demand, particularly during peak holiday periods. TravelMole
• [New] Investors are watching for a rotation into laggard markets like India, while South Korea's reforms could sustain its rally. Whalesbook
• [New] Overly restrictive policies risk stifling innovation and fragmenting markets, as seen in South Korea. Interactive Crypto
• [New] South Korea's precedent might embolden other nations to tighten rules, fragmenting markets further. Interactive Crypto
• [New] Emerging economies such as India, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia have significant development potential. Stellar Market Research
• [New] The decades-long ceasefire between North and South Korea seems more precarious than ever, with unpredictable dictator Kim Jong-un continuously showcasing his military strength. Daily Express US
• [New] South Korea presents opportunities based on the pace of urbanization, increased penetration of smartphones, and increased usage of connected and electric vehicles. SkyQuest Technology Consulting
• [New] South Korea announced plans at COP 30 in Brazil to phase out most coal-fired power plants by 2040 and halve carbon emissions by 2035, with 40 plants already scheduled for closure. GeopoliticsUnplugged Substack
• [New] Samsung is currently positioning its glass solutions for the 2027 mobile and server markets, aiming to integrate them into its next-generation Exynos and AI chipsets. / South Korea FinancialContent
• [New] Although peace between North and South Korea has held for decades - tyrant Kim Jong-un remains an unpredictable dictator. The US Sun
• [New] The planned changes are part of a broader push to bring South Korea's real annual working hours down to the OECD average of 1,708 by 2030. ST
• [New] South Korea's government plans to push new legislation in 2026 to curb excessive working hours, including giving workers the right to disconnect from job related messages after hours and introducing half-day leave as a legal entitlement. ST
• [New] South Korea is attempting to redistribute everyday risk away from households and toward systems, slow regional decline through economic incentives rather than moral appeals, and redefine mobility and access as components of welfare rather than mere infrastructure. Rico's Blog
• [New] South Korea will ring in the new year in an icy grip, with temperatures expected to plunge as low as minus 15 deg C on the first day of 2026. ST
• [New] In 2026 we will see many countries, particularly rising powers like Turkey, South Korea, or the UAE, building up their own industries, notably in the defence sector. War and Peace
• [New] Nomura expects prices of memory chips such as DRAM and NAND to rise by 44% and 61% respectively, generating significant terms-of-trade gains for South Korea. chinadailyhk
• [New] The outlook for nations integral to the global AI supply chain - notably South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia - has brightened from soaring demand for advanced semiconductors, with resilient domestic consumption expected to support growth in China, India, Indonesia, and Japan. chinadailyhk
• [New] The share of renewables in South Korea's electricity generation will rise to at least 30% by 2035 from 9% last year. Yahoo Finance Singapore
• Output is expected to fall in key economies, including the US (-4.5% in 2026), Mexico (-1.1% in 2026), South Korea (-6.3% in 2026) and Germany, while Europe as a whole remains in troubled waters with shrinking margins, higher credit risk and only a modest production rebound in 2026. CIN
• South Korea plans to invest over 700 trillion Korean won by 2047 to build 10 advanced semiconductor factories. Observer News Enterprise
• South Korea's modular 'LEGO drone' architecture threatens to commoditize advanced UAV capabilities, enabling rapid mass production and field reconfiguration that could fundamentally shift Indo-Pacific power projection economics. Drone Warfare
• South Korea's POSCO will invest $582 million for a 20% stake in Hyundai Steel's electric-arc furnace facility in Louisiana. Aluminum Market Update

Last updated: 07 January 2026