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Global Affairs Lab
BTS to Perform in the First FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is expected to become more than a match that determines the world champion. It will also mark a historic moment in which global sports and popular culture come together on one stage. FIFA plans to present the first official halftime show in World Cup history during the final on July 19 in New Jersey. BTS is scheduled to appear as one of the co-headliners alongside Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber, with Coldplay’s Chris Martin involved in the p
Jul 163 min read
The U.S. Navy’s RFI to South Korean Shipbuilders: A New Turning Point for U.S.–ROK Shipbuilding Cooperation
The U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy's decision to issue Requests for Information (RFIs) to South Korea's three leading shipbuilders—HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, and Samsung Heavy Industries—for combat vessels and naval auxiliary ships marks an important milestone in the evolution of U.S.–ROK shipbuilding cooperation. The move is widely regarded as a highly unusual step, reflecting Washington's willingness to formally assess South Korea's naval shipb
Jul 163 min read
Expanding the Reach of K-Food: A Bold Journey Toward 1.75 Billion New Consumers
What Seoul Food 2026 Revealed About the Future of Market Diversification K-Food has evolved beyond a passing trend to become a recognized part of global food culture. Last year, South Korea's K-Food exports—excluding seafood—surpassed USD 10.4 billion for the first time, marking a historic milestone. The Korean government has also designated K-Food as one of the country's 20 strategic export industries, underscoring its commitment to fostering long-term growth. Yet behind the
Jul 152 min read
Potential Korea–U.S. Trade Frictions over Digital Regulations and Their Impact on American Consumers
1. Overview and Background Recent concerns have emerged regarding potential trade frictions between South Korea and the United States over South Korea's digital regulations. The U.S. government and Congress have expressed concerns that certain Korean digital policies, including online platform regulations and restrictions related to location data, could place American companies at a competitive disadvantage. In contrast, the South Korean government maintains that these measur
Jul 153 min read
South Korea’s Nuclear-Powered Submarine Is a Strategic Alliance Investment
Image Credit: Gemini Some critics in the United States question whether South Korea truly needs nuclear-powered submarines, arguing that conventional submarines and unmanned systems may offer a more affordable and practical alternative. Any program with such a large price tag and technical complexity deserves rigorous scrutiny. But focusing too narrowly on cost and platform alternatives overlooks two overlapping challenges facing the United States: rapidly expanding undersea
Jul 145 min read
"The Garden of Gratitude" at the Heart of South Korea: Remembering the Roots of the Alliance
Photo Credit: Seoul Metropolitan Government The "Garden of Gratitude" (featuring the landmark installation Light of Gratitude 23) has officially opened its doors in Gwanghwamun Square—the symbolic heart of Seoul and the epicenter of South Korea’s history and culture. While the project faced domestic debate and political friction regarding urban aesthetics and spatial openness during its construction, stripping away these short-term political lenses reveals the profound geopol
Jul 82 min read
A New Turning Point in Korea–U.S. Defense Cooperation
The recent Korea–U.S. Defense and Defense Industry Cooperation Conference highlighted the future direction of defense collaboration between the two countries amid a rapidly changing security environment. While traditional defense cooperation has largely focused on the acquisition and export of completed weapon systems, it is now evolving into a broader industrial partnership that integrates technology development, production capabilities, sustainment, and supply chain resilie
Jul 72 min read
When Exports Become Influence
Unsplash의 CHUTTERSNAP In June 2026, South Korea surpassed $100 billion in monthly exports for the first time, becoming only the fourth country in the world, after Germany, China, and the United States, to achieve this milestone. The accomplishment reflects not only strong export performance but also South Korea's growing importance in the global economy. The semiconductor industry was the primary driver of this achievement. As investment in artificial intelligence (AI) accele
Jul 11 min read
A New Path to Growth Through U.S.–ROK Robotics Cooperation
This image is unrelated to the commentary As artificial intelligence continues to advance, the focus of industrial innovation is expanding beyond software into robotics and automation, where AI interacts directly with the physical world. Against this backdrop, the 2026 Silicon Valley Physical AI Super Connect served as an important milestone, demonstrating South Korea and the United States' shared commitment to fostering robotics as a key driver of future economic growth. The
Jul 12 min read
Born in America, Connected in Korea
he competition for AI is no longer defined only by algorithms and semiconductors. For artificial intelligence to work in industries and daily life, it needs fast, stable, and low-latency networks. Even the most advanced AI model cannot move the real world if it is not properly connected. In the AI era, network competitiveness is becoming national competitiveness. The United States stands at the center of AI innovation. Leading AI companies, cloud platforms, and GPU ecosystems
Jun 301 min read
A Comparative Analysis of the EU Digital Markets Act and Korea’s Digital Platform Regulation
Korea’s Ex Post and Flexible Approach within the Global Trend of Digital Regulation Digital platforms have become core infrastructure across search, app stores, online advertising, e-commerce, social networking services, and digital intermediation. They are no longer merely private services that connect consumers and businesses. Rather, they exert structural influence over data flows, advertising allocation, app distribution, app-store access, business-user conditions, and th
Jun 256 min read
Beyond Submarines: Canada Needs a Digital Maritime Partner
The recent Globe and Mail report highlighting Canada's search for new submarine maintenance facilities reveals an important reality: Canada's future submarine program is no longer simply a competition over platforms. The greater challenge lies in sustaining those submarines over decades while facing a severe shortage of skilled labour. Canada's marine industry is already experiencing significant workforce constraints. Shipyards on both coasts are competing for a limited pool
Jun 232 min read
'Korea' as a Strategic Testbed for Global Digital Governance
1. Introduction: Korea’s Strategic Market Positioning Korea is a market whose digital user density and openness to emerging technologies exceed what its population size alone would suggest. The Korean government is currently recalibrating its regulatory framework to establish fair competition in platform markets. This analysis argues that U.S. Big Tech companies should view Korea’s regulatory environment not merely as a constraint, but as a strategic variable for strengthenin
Jun 233 min read
Speed or Delay? Another Choice Facing Canada's Submarine Program
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada As the Canadian government moves forward with plans to build a new submarine maintenance facility in the Halifax region, the discussion surrounding the country's next-generation submarine program is expanding beyond the acquisition of vessels themselves to the broader issue of industrial capacity. The facility, expected to operate under a Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated (GOCO) model, is likely to become a critical piece of infrastructure sup
Jun 202 min read
Hanwha’s LNG Partnership: A Potential Catalyst for the MASGA Vision
Hanwha Ocean recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the proposed Kanata LNG project in British Columbia, Canada. While the agreement is centered on LNG development, its significance could extend well beyond the energy sector. Announced as Canada prepares to make a final decision on its next-generation submarine program, this partnership may underscore Hanwha’s broader intention to expand its presence in North America—potentially moving beyond shipbuilding an
Jun 192 min read
The Roar of Summer Echoes Again in North America
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be another significant milestone in the history of Korean football. Hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament will be played in some of the most advanced sporting venues in the world. Modern stadiums, cutting-edge technology, extensive transportation networks, and world-class facilities will provide an ideal environment for both players and fans. As football returns to North America on its grandest stage, South
Jun 163 min read
Will Canada Choose a Submarine or a Partnership?
As Canada moves closer to selecting a winner for its Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), the competition appears to be evolving beyond a simple comparison of submarine specifications. Increasingly, the question is not only who can build the best submarine, but who can become Canada's most reliable long-term strategic partner. A recent example is HD Hyundai's agreement with the University of British Columbia (UBC) to collaborate on advanced naval technologies, including
Jun 152 min read
Two Paths Beneath the Sea
Canada’s next-generation submarine competition is more than a procurement decision. It also highlights two different approaches to modern conventional submarine technology. South Korea’s KSS-III and Germany’s Type 212CD are both highly capable platforms, yet they emphasize different propulsion philosophies. Germany’s submarine design is centered on hydrogen fuel-cell Air Independent Propulsion (AIP). By generating electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and l
Jun 101 min read
A Letter That Revealed the True Meaning of Veterans
A recent story about Korean War veterans receiving handwritten letters from students serves as a powerful reminder of what military service truly means. The students expressed gratitude for the freedom and peace they enjoy today, while the veterans were deeply moved to know that their sacrifices had not been forgotten. The exchange demonstrated that even after decades, the bond between those who served and the generations they protected remains strong. We often describe veter
Jun 91 min read
Heroes Returning Home: A Promise Preserved Through the U.S.–ROK Alliance
The Korean War was more than a conflict on the Korean Peninsula; it was a collective effort by nations determined to defend freedom and stability. Among them, the United States played a pivotal role, committing significant forces to support South Korea's survival and recovery. From that shared sacrifice emerged the U.S.–ROK Alliance, which has served as a cornerstone of regional security and cooperation for more than seven decades. The recent repatriation ceremony in Seoul se
Jun 91 min read
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