Opinion - The Korea Times

ED New chapter in alliance

President Lee Jae Myung’s recent visit to Hanwha’s Philadelphia shipyard and his call to “Make American Shipbuilding Great Again” (MASGA) represent far more than a symbolic gesture. It marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Korea-U.S. alliance, signaling a strategic shift that broadens the foundation of their partnership from traditional security cooperation to a comprehensive economic and technological alliance. This new framework promises mutual growth and shared prosperity, with Korea playing a crucial and irreplaceable role. Founded as a navy yard in 1801, the Philadelphia shipyard once faced decades of decline before Hanwha's acquisition revived its fortunes. As Lee emphasized, the vessels built there helped save South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, and now Korean expertise is breathing new life into American shipbuilding. This narrative is not just a matter of historical pride; it underscores why America should recognize and be grateful for Korea’s indispensable contribution. The United States today confronts an urgent need to restore its manufacturing base

Aug 28, 2025By Shim Jae-yun

ED Korea-US nuclear cooperation

Nuclear energy is emerging as a preferred area of cooperation between Korea and the United States, as more nations turn to nuclear power to meet soaring electricity demand in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). At a post-summit briefing in Washington, D.C., on Monday (local time), National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said the two countries will hold follow-up meetings to expand cooperation on nuclear energy. He described it as one of the key accomplishments of President Lee Jae Myung’s summit with U.S. President Donald Trump held earlier in the day. “When it comes to nuclear cooperation, I can tell you that several different negotiations are underway,” Wi told reporters, declining to provide further details. The allies appear well matched. Korea possesses world-class nuclear technology with a proven record in the peaceful use of nuclear power, while U.S. Big Tech companies, driven by the AI revolution, are scrambling to secure reliable energy sources as data centers consume unprecedented amounts of electricity. In Korea, nuclear power already accounts for more than 30 percen

Aug 27, 2025

ED Measurable summit success

In his diplomatic superweek, President Lee Jae Myung has demonstrated that his formidability on the domestic political stage extends beyond Korea's borders. Lee's summit talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House Oval Office produced no major contentions nor “ambush” attacks. Lee stayed on message, praising Trump's role as "peacemaker" and saying he himself could serve as a "pacemaker" in matters involving the two Koreas. Trump said that he was open to meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un within the year. Despite some last-minute drama before the summit, the mood between the two leaders settled quickly, and they discussed defense spending as well as close cooperation through sectors such as shipbuilding and nuclear power to renew U.S. manufacturing. Lee said Korea wants to contribute to the U.S. manufacturing renaissance. Korea's top conglomerates supported Lee's summit by pledging a separate, additional $150 billion in investments in the U.S. on the day of the summit. In its July tariff agreement with the U.S., a 15 percent blanket tariff was imposed on Kor

Aug 26, 2025

ED Stability over populism

The Seoul-Tokyo summit held on Saturday between President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru delivered an uncommon yet encouraging lesson in foreign policy. It demonstrated that the two nations are ready to move beyond their painful shared history and focus on building a cooperative future. This forward-looking stance on bilateral relations, as highlighted during the Lee-Ishiba meeting, is a welcome development. However, an even more significant takeaway must not be overlooked. Despite a change in government in Korea — from a conservative administration to a liberal one — the summit signaled that Korea’s foreign policy direction will remain consistent. Lee showed no intention of reversing the diplomatic commitments made by his conservative predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol. This continuity stands out in a political landscape often marred by deep polarization. During the summit, Lee and Ishiba pledged to strengthen bilateral ties and committed to working together to improve relations. They also reaffirmed the importance of the trilateral partnership among Korea, Japa

Aug 25, 2025

ED Crucial week for diplomacy

President Lee Jae Myung has embarked on back-to-back summits since Saturday, first with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of Japan and on Monday (local time) with U.S. President Donald Trump. These are his first two official overseas visits since taking office on June 4, and they are expected to reveal the core tenets of his five-year diplomatic blueprint, seeking stability amid a volatile economic and security climate. Diverging from the practice of first visiting Korea's most important major ally, the U.S., Lee went to Japan. Lee's summit with Ishiba is being identified by both sides as a success. The Japanese media dubbed Lee's pick of Japan as first destination a "pleasant surprise." Despite the short time frame for setting up the Seoul-Tokyo summit, Lee and Ishiba were able to issue a joint statement — notably, the first joint statement to emerge from such a bilateral meeting in 17 years. Lee and Ishiba agreed to resume a program of reciprocal state visits, expand their working holiday programs and other exchanges, and cooperate in defense, AI and economic security issues. The two r

Aug 24, 2025

ED Don't cross the line

Recent reports that the Trump administration is considering acquiring equity stakes in foreign semiconductor companies, including Korea’s Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, in exchange for CHIPS and Science Act subsidies, represent a dangerous overreach of government power and a serious breach of trust. Such a move, if realized, would not only upend prior commitments made by the U.S. government but also undermine the principles of free-market capitalism the United States has long championed. According to Reuters and other sources, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has suggested that rather than offering subsidies as previously promised under the Biden administration, the new Trump administration wants something in return — namely, equity in the very companies building chip facilities on American soil. "We should get an equity stake for our money," Lutnick told CNBC. While the secretary noted that the U.S. would seek non-voting shares, such a move opens the door to future interference in corporate decision-making, eroding the autonomy of these firms. This approach stands in star

Aug 21, 2025

ED A 50-year nuclear shackle

Korea’s recent nuclear export agreement with U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric Company has ignited growing concern across political, industrial and academic circles. At the heart of the issue is a sweeping, long-term contract that not only imposes significant financial burdens on Korea’s nuclear industry but also undermines its technological sovereignty and export potential in critical global markets. The agreement, signed in January 2024 by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), obliges Korea to pay Westinghouse $825 million for every nuclear reactor it exports over the next 50 years. This amount includes $650 million for equipment and services and $175 million in technology usage fees, effectively locking Korea into long-term financial and technological dependence on Westinghouse. Even more concerning are the conditions that extend beyond this immediate cost. The contract reportedly restricts KHNP from independently entering the North American and European markets — two of the most significant arenas for nuclear energy development. Furth

Aug 20, 2025

ED Eroding public support for Lee

The latest public opinion poll has sounded the alarm over President Lee Jae Myung’s job performance. His approval ratings have continued to slide, hitting their lowest level since he took office in June. Poll numbers rise and fall depending on methodology, timing and the agencies conducting them. But this time, the message is too clear to ignore. The presidential office and the ruling party must face the trend squarely and analyze what has gone wrong with the Lee administration. In a democracy, public support is essential — it sustains political leadership. Without it, elected leaders find it extremely difficult to push their policy agenda. This makes it imperative for Lee to regain public trust if he wants to remain in control of state affairs. A Realmeter poll of 2,300 respondents conducted between Aug. 11 and 14 found Lee’s approval rating at 51.1 percent, down 5.4 points from the previous week. Even more alarming, the result represents a 12.2-point plunge compared to the same agency’s findings just two weeks earlier. Lee, sworn in on June 4 after winning a snap presidential e

Aug 19, 2025

ED Lee's risky business

President Lee Jae Myung is moving incrementally but firmly to deescalate tensions with North Korea. This comes at a sensitive time ahead of his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba this weekend, just before his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, in which the two leaders will discuss the Korea-U.S. alliance as one of the core issues with ramifications for Korean and Asian affairs. After notching up the conciliatory gesture toward North Korea during Friday's speech marking the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from colonial Japan, Lee on Monday directed the government to prepare for the implementation of existing inter-Korean agreements. Several significant inter-Korea pacts have been forged, but Lee in his Liberation Day speech pointedly said Seoul would proactively and gradually restore the military agreement of Sept. 19, 2018, that suspended some military activities along the border between the two Koreas. Reviving the military pact is trickier than removing loudspeakers along the border and asking activists to stop sending leaflets over land. After the agree

Aug 18, 2025

ED Reform or relapse: time for action

President Lee Jae Myung recently outlined a broad and ambitious policy agenda aimed at addressing several of Korea’s long-neglected structural problems: industrial restructuring, public sector reform and energy price normalization. These are issues no government can ignore indefinitely — but nearly all have, choosing political convenience over economic necessity. Now, as the economic costs of delay mount and international competitiveness erodes, the president’s sudden urgency is understandable. Yet declarations, however well-intentioned, are no substitute for determined execution. Without concrete, measurable action, these long-overdue reforms risk being derailed once again by political inertia. The petrochemical industry illustrates the cost of inaction most clearly. Once a cornerstone of Korea’s export-led growth, the sector now teeters on the brink of collapse. Global demand is weakening, input costs are rising and a wave of low-cost Chinese petrochemicals has flooded the international market. In major industrial complexes like Yeosu, Ulsan and Daesan, factories are running

Aug 17, 2025

Editorial