Global Affairs Lab

The launch of South Korea–U.S. consultations on nuclear-powered submarines and expanded nuclear cooperation reflects growing efforts by both countries to strengthen maritime security and long-term strategic coordination in the Indo-Pacific region. As maritime trade routes become increasingly important and regional naval capabilities continue to evolve, Seoul has sought to enhance its ability to conduct extended underwater operations while improving its overall defense readine

South Korea has officially unveiled its roadmap for developing the country’s first nuclear-powered submarine, marking the beginning of a long-term national project that combines maritime security, advanced industry, and strategic infrastructure. The government aims to launch its first nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s, followed by operational deployment later in the decade. The project, named the “Jangbogo-N Project,” is being described as more than a simple naval sh

1. Introduction 1.1 Digital Regulation as a New Strategic Issue For decades, the global digital economy expanded under a laissez-faire paradigm, assuming that minimal intervention would maximize technological progress. Today, however, that consensus has fractured. Driven by concerns over market dominance, data privacy, algorithmic transparency, and digital sovereignty, governments worldwide are aggressively redefining the boundary between innovation and regulation. Democratic

SEOUL, May 5 — Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan is visiting Canada and the United States to support South Korea’s efforts to secure a major overseas shipbuilding contract and to discuss bilateral investment cooperation. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Kim will meet with Canadian government officials in Ottawa to discuss Canada's next-generation conventional submarine acquisition program. The project involves the construction of up to 12 submarines and

The era of unmanned fleets cutting through open seas is no longer a distant vision—it is unfolding now. Hanwha Defense USA has joined forces with U.S.-based maritime autonomy specialist Magnet Defense to launch the development of a Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV), marking a pivotal shift in Korea-U.S. defense cooperation. At National Harbor in Maryland on April 20 (local time), the two companies formalized a strategic partnership that goes beyond conventional collaborat

Modern warfare is increasingly defined by the rapid spread of unmanned aerial systems. Once viewed primarily as surveillance tools, drones have evolved into versatile weapons capable of reconnaissance, precision strikes, and large-scale saturation attacks. Recent conflicts have demonstrated that relatively inexpensive unmanned systems can produce significant operational and strategic effects. One country that has refined this approach is Iran. Over the past decade, Tehran has

1. Introduction The rapid expansion of digital platforms has transformed the structure of the global economy. Online platforms increasingly function as central gateways through which users access digital services, conduct commerce, and interact socially. As their scale and influence grow, policymakers around the world have begun reassessing how regulatory frameworks should evolve to address the structural power of large technology platforms. In recent years, the global policy

Secure Korea, A path to unified peninsular defence

In a recent press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence, U.S. President Donald Trump made a striking announcement about the future of American naval shipbuilding. Detailing plans for a new class of frigates for the United States Navy, he confirmed that the project will involve close collaboration with a South Korean firm, Hanwha, calling it a “good company” and signaling a broader strategic partnership. “Last week, the Navy announced a brand new class of frigate and they’re

The Korea–U.S. relationship is no longer defined solely by security cooperation. In today’s global economy, the true center of gravity of the alliance lies in supply chains, advanced manufacturing, and strategic decisions about where production takes place . Samsung Biologics’ decision to acquire a U.S.-based biologics manufacturing facility is a clear signal that the bilateral relationship has entered a more mature and consequential phase. Samsung Biologics’ $280 million acq

At a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming the backbone of modern industry, the question facing the United States is no longer whether to lead in AI, but how to scale that leadership across the real economy. In that effort, deeper cooperation with South Korea may prove to be one of America’s most underappreciated strategic advantages. The United States remains the global leader in foundational AI technologies—advanced algorithms, frontier models, and semicondu