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] Parking lots in South Korea with more than 80 spaces will be required to install solar canopies. Augusta Free Press
• [New] The semiconductor industry could soon consume a massive share of local power: up to 20% of Taiwan's total electricity and 30-40% of South Korea's industrial use by 2030. Greenpeace International
• [New] South Korea's KHNP will construct a new plant whose two reactors will have an output of over 1,000 megawatts each. Last Week in ConTech
• [New] Hyundai Motor Group, South Korea's largest automaker, said it plans to invest 125 trillion won ($86.3 billion) from 2026 to 2030 to expand domestic research and development and advance new technologies such as AI, robotics and self-driving cars. Boston Herald
• [New] Approximately 38 eco-vehicle models will be produced by the Hyundai Motor Group. / South Korea Research Nester
• [New] After Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met in South Korea last Thursday to discuss trade and other issues, Trump agreed to lower tariffs on Chinese goods by 10% in exchange for promises that Beijing will crack down on the flow of fentanyl into the US. CNN
• [New] South Korea's Kospi soared 2.5% on hopes that a trade deal may be coming between Seoul and Washington. Fortune
• [New] Hosting the UN Ocean Conference in 2028 is expected to enhance South Korea's global standing, allowing it to spearhead international collaboration on crucial ocean issues such as marine plastic pollution and biodiversity. Maritime Fairtrade
• [New] Scores of Chinese airlines have offered refunds on routes to Japan, a move that is expected to boost air travel to South Korea. gCaptain
• [New] Tensions, sparked by recent remarks from Japan's new prime minister, could cause Chinese tourists to be redirected to South Korea from Japan. gCaptain
• [New] Chinese cruise operators are scrambling to avoid Japanese ports as Beijing and Tokyo engage in a diplomatic dispute, which is expected to spur demand for tourism in South Korea. gCaptain
• [New] South Korea recently announced a target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 53-61 percent from the 2018 levels by 2035, updating the nationally determined contribution (NDC) target for the next decade. The Korea Times
• [New] The fact sheet outlined South Korea's plan to increase its defence budget, reaffirmed the transfer of wartime operational control, and strengthened deterrence cooperation against all regional threats, including North Korea. American Enterprise Institute - AEI
• [New] South Korea requested a dialog with North Korea to clarify the demilitarized zone (DMZ) lines, while strengthening its coalition to deter regional threats with the United States. American Enterprise Institute - AEI
• [New] 6G networks are expected to begin commercial deployment in 2030, with significant early rollouts in China, Japan, South Korea, the US, the GCC states, Europe, Vietnam and India. Newsroom
• [New] South Korea aims to have 45% of its electricity supplied by renewables by 2040, supplemented by nuclear and gas. Carbon Credits
• [New] A significant moment came when South Korea announced it would phase out many of its coal-fired power plants by 2040. Carbon Credits

Last updated: 03 December 2025