Global issues

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