Q3 2026 U.S.-South Korea Trade and Investment Ledger
On September 30, the United States and South Korea announced the first investments under their strategic investment memorandum of understanding (MOU). “Project Star” commits USD…
How South Korea Can Cope With Volatility in Global Bond Markets
Yields on long-term government bonds have risen significantly in major economies during the past year. The increase in long-term yields is driven by several factors,…
Energy for AI Leads South Korea’s U.S. Investment Pipeline
South Korea has picked a Texas gas-fired power plant as the first project under its USD 350 billion investment commitment to the United States. The…
Louisiana Steel, American Cars: What Hyundai Steel’s Investment Means for U.S. Manufacturing
On September 4, 2026, Hyundai Steel marked the start of a USD 5.8 billion steel plant project an hour west of New Orleans in Donaldsonville,…
Kansas City’s Competitive Edge for South Korean Investors
On the evening of June 24, 1950, Harry Truman was at home in Independence, Missouri, when Secretary of State Dean Acheson telephoned to say North…
The $350 Billion MOU Moves Forward After South Korea Passes Investment Act
While annual investment funding is capped at USD 20 billion, the full package including $150 billion in shipbuilding must be announced by January 2029.
2025 Year in Review: Kim Jong Un’s Financial Conundrum
As 2025 draws to a close, reporting suggests that financial conditions may be stabilizing—but at levels radically worse than just two years ago.
South Korea’s Important Role in Vietnam’s Rapid Development
South Korea is the largest foreign direct investor in Vietnam, with investments totaling USD 92 billion at the end of 2024.
Japan’s Upper House Election Results and Implications for South Korea
For the first time since 1994, the ruling LDP coalition controls neither chamber of the Japanese legislature.
Unpacking the U.S.-South Korea Trade Deal
Reaching such a deal before August 1 allows Korea to compete with trading partners such as the European Union and Japan on a level playing field.