Significance: South Korea’s demographic crisis is the defining challenge of its economic, social and potentially security landscape.
Every North Korea Watcher sooner or later questions what they do.There’s the relentless routine of reading write-ups on North Korea, scanning academic dribble for insight, and dissecting the latest KCNA image. They see highly respected and feted North Korea Watchers rehashing the same crap year after year, and they know that their own ideas will never be heard beyond two graduate students and a dyslexic professor who ended up in the wrong room at an academic conference.
Significance. South Korea is experiencing a surge in political extremism among its youth, driven by economic frustration, social disillusionment, and digital radicalization.
Germany and Europe’s political divide as a lesson for Korea
As the war in Ukraine winds down (hopefully), attention will turn to what happens to the foreign contingents who joined the fight—particularly North Korea’s troops deployed in support of Russian forces.
There are a small number of North Korean defectors who make it onto the global stage. Some of them, don’t just tell their stories—they tell the right kind of stories.
At conservative protests in South Korea, it is not uncommon to see demonstrators waving American flags - or even (in)famously dressing up as Captain America. The symbolic act underscores a deep-rooted belief that the United States is an unwavering ally, committed to South Korea, and acting in its interests.
Significance. South Korea’s lack of discussion on a Taiwan conflict leaves its leadership and public unprepared. As a key U.S. ally and regional player, South Korea will face pressure to take a position.
Significance. Foreign investors are rapidly expanding into South Korea’s monthly rental market, which will exacerbate Gen-Z’s existing frustrations with housing affordability. Traditionally reliant on jeonse—a long-term deposit-based rental system—young Koreans now face rising monthly rents as jeonse options dwindle.
Significance. The imposition of tariffs under President Donald Trump threatens the stability of the South Korea-U.S. relationship, which relies heavily on mutual economic and security cooperation.
