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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

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

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

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

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

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 acqu

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

Standing on a vast development site in Clarksville, Tennessee, South Korea’s Korea Zinc is making one of the boldest industrial bets yet on the future of America’s critical minerals supply chain. The company has entered a strategic partnership with the U.S. government to jointly invest in a large-scale smelter project valued at approximately 11 trillion won. Of that, around $6.6 billion will be invested directly into the Tennessee facility, while total funding—including opera

The passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the next fiscal year by the U.S. Congress on Dec. 17, which includes provisions limiting any reduction in U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), is widely seen as an effort to underscore Washington’s view of South Korea as a top-tier ally. Once formally enacted with President Donald Trump’s signature, the NDAA will prohibit the U.S. government from using congressionally approved defense funds to reduce the number of U.S. tro