South Korea
Explore our coverage of South Korea’s politics, economics, business and culture, in articles, charts, podcasts and video
Leaders
Japan and South Korea are getting friendlier. At last
As the world economy fragments, two export powerhouses see the virtue of chumminess
The Economist reads
Understand South Korea, a success story with a dark side
Five books and a film that explain why the country is a cultural superpower as well as an economic one
Asia
Japan and South Korea are struggling with old-age poverty
Their problems may be instructive for other countries
Culture
Why South Korean pop culture rocks and North Korea’s does not
Dictatorship stifles creativity and joy
Asia
North Korea is arming Russia and threatening war with South Korea
Kim Jong Un likes to provoke. The risks of miscalculation are rising
Business
Samsung’s boss avoids prison, again
Lee Jae-yong’s acquittal will benefit him, but not necessary South Korea
Asia
South Korea’s writers and directors play Squid Game
The people behind the country’s TV and film boom are not profiting from it
Asia
South Korea’s ban on praising the North is ridiculous
The government imprisons a dotty fan of Kim Jong Un
Asia
Lee Jae-myung, South Korea’s opposition leader, survives a stabbing
The motive for the attack is unclear
Leaders
The Economist’s country of the year for 2023
It is possible to enact painful economic reforms and still get re-elected
Asia
South Korean politics is one big row about history
Traditional distinctions of left and right scarcely apply to the country
Asia
South Korean chipmakers get a reprieve
But the pressure from geopolitical tension and China’s domestic manufacturing drive will increase
Asia
Virtual influencers are burning up South Koreans’ Instagram feeds
They are cheap to hire, always look great and they don’t bully their colleagues
Asia
South Korea’s opposition leader narrowly avoids arrest
Lee Jae-myung claims the charges against him are trumped up