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Tennessee’s emerging battery belt should not be seen simply as another case of Korean companies expanding production overseas. It represents a broader shift in which South Korea’s industrial competitiveness is becoming increasingly embedded in the U.S. manufacturing ecosystem. From battery cell production in Spring Hill to cathode materials in Clarksville and other large-scale battery and electric vehicle projects across the state, Korean companies are helping build a localiz

Today, Korean food is no longer unfamiliar in Kazakhstan. Kimbap, kimchi, ramen, and Korean-style fried chicken have become increasingly visible, especially as K-pop, Korean dramas, and films continue to attract younger audiences. But if the story of Korean food in Kazakhstan begins with the Korean Wave, an important chapter is missing. Long before the term “K-food” became popular, Kazakhstan already had its own form of Korean food culture. That history was created by the Kor

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

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

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

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

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

Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik’s recent visit to Canada carries significance far beyond a routine diplomatic schedule. This is because Canada’s next-generation submarine project—a massive undertaking valued at up to 60 trillion KRW—presents a crucial opportunity for South Korea’s defense industry to once again prove its competitiveness on the global stage. Driven by fast delivery times, cost competitiveness, and superior technology, South Korean defense companies h

Canada’s Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) has emerged as one of the most closely watched defense procurement programs in the world. Valued at up to KRW 60 trillion, the project aims to replace the aging Victoria-class submarine fleet and strengthen Canada’s maritime security capabilities. With the world’s longest coastline and growing strategic challenges in the Arctic—including increased Russian activity, Chinese interest in the region, and evolving NATO commitments—

Hanwha Ocean is drawing attention as a leading contender in Canada's Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), a major initiative to replace the aging Victoria-class submarines. The program, which could involve up to 12 submarines, is considered one of the largest naval modernization efforts in Canadian history. The company is offering the KSS-III (Dosan Ahn Chang-ho-class) submarine, a platform already in active service with the Republic of Korea Navy. By leveraging a proven

Wars rarely unfold the way military planners expect. In the opening stages of the recent conflict, the United States and Israel appeared to hold overwhelming superiority. Precision strikes eliminated key Iranian figures and targeted military infrastructure across the country. By conventional measures of power, the balance seemed clear. Yet the center of gravity of the conflict soon shifted—not to the skies over Iran, but to a narrow strip of water at the mouth of the Persian

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has gradually transformed into one of the most technologically dynamic conflicts of the 21st century. In a recent announcement, Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Ukrainian forces had captured a Russian defensive position using only drones and unmanned ground vehicles, without deploying infantry. If verified, the operation represents a significant inflection point in the evolution of modern warfare: the transfer of the most dangerous

Freelance Writer Takahasi Saeko Born and raised in Japan, I am now living in Korea with my husband and our two children. My relationship with my Korean husband dates back to 2008. We first met through a Zainichi Korean friend, and after seven years of dating, we got married. Today, I run a small café in Korea while continuing my life as a writer. In Japan, I worked as both a journalist and a writer, and I still contribute articles to newspapers and magazines. One day, I hope

Lucid White Secretary-General, China–Korea Cultural Cooperation Research Association 1. The Middle East War and Its Implications for South Korea The Middle East war that erupted on February 28, 2026—triggered by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities—has been rapidly escalating following Iran’s sweeping retaliatory attacks. Tehran has launched missiles and drones not only toward Israel but also against neighboring countries hosting U.S. military

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

WASHINGTON — What began as a festive White House gathering quickly turned into a moment of personal announcements for several prominent figures in former President Donald Trump’s political orbit, as engagement news rippled through the crowd and lit up conservative social media. Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s eldest son, confirmed his engagement during the event, marking the third such milestone in his personal life. Trump Jr. married his first wife, Vanessa Trump, i

WASHINGTON — Standing beneath the bright lights of the White House on the evening of the 17th, U.S. President Donald Trump delivered an 18-minute nationally televised address aimed squarely at American voters uneasy about the economy. With midterm elections looming next year and inflation still weighing on household budgets, Trump cast himself as the architect of a dramatic turnaround — and his predecessor as the source of the nation’s troubles. “I inherited a country in chao

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