The Minute to Read (Weekend) series provides a quick overview of significant events in Korea from the week, conveniently condensed into a one-minute read. Here’s a recap of what happened this week: June 23-27.
President Lee names key ministers in new cabinet
President Lee Jae-myung on June 23 named key cabinet nominees, signaling a policy shift toward renewed engagement with North Korea while maintaining traditional diplomatic ties. Lawmakers Chung Dong-young and Ahn Gyu-back were tapped for unification and defense ministers, joining intelligence chief nominee Lee Jong-seok in forming a dovish team on inter-Korean affairs. Former Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun was selected to lead the Foreign Ministry, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to the U.S. alliance. Ahn’s nomination also fulfills Lee’s campaign pledge to appoint a civilian as defense minister.
Additional nominees include Bae Kyung-hoon for science and ICT, Kwon Oh-eul for veterans affairs, Kim Sung-hwan for environment, Kim Young-hoon for labor, Kang Sun-woo for gender equality, Chun Jae-soo for oceans and fisheries, and Han Seong-sook for SMEs. Yoon Chang-yul was named Minister for Government Policy Coordination. Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung will remain in office.
Special counsel’s arrest warrant for ex-President Yoon rejected
A Seoul court has dismissed the special counsel’s request to arrest former President Yoon Suk-yeol, ruling the warrant invalid due to the lack of a prior summons. The investigation team, looking into alleged insurrection, had issued a travel ban before seeking the warrant on June 24. Yoon’s legal team argued he was willing to comply with any official request, and the court agreed. He has now been formally summoned for questioning on June 28. Prosecutors warned that a new warrant may be considered if he does not appear. Yoon’s side said he will cooperate and called for the probe to remain within legal procedures.
S. Korea’s first nuclear reactor begins 12-year shutdown
South Korea’s first nuclear reactor, Kori-1, will begin decommissioning next month after final approval from the Nuclear Safety Commission. The dismantling process, expected to finish by 2037, will cost about 1.07 trillion won. This marks a milestone for Korea’s nuclear industry, advancing its capabilities from development to full-cycle management including decommissioning. Key challenges include safely handling spent fuel, building dry storage facilities, and addressing local residents’ concerns. Kori-1 was permanently shut down in 2017 following a 2015 government decision, with cleanup work starting last year under the current administration.
Chinese students arrested for filming U.S. aircraft carrier in Busan
Two Chinese students studying in Busan have been arrested for secretly filming a U.S. aircraft carrier and South Korea’s Naval Operations Command using drones. Police say they took 172 photos and 22 videos over nine filming sessions between March 2023 and June last year, totaling around 12GB of data. The footage was uploaded without permission to Chinese social media. One suspect faces an additional charge of aiding a foreign power, marking the first such arrest of a foreign national in South Korea. A third student was booked without detention.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ tops Netflix in 41 countries
K-pop-inspired animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” has hit No. 1 in the Netflix movie rankings in 41 countries, including South Korea, the U.S., and several Southeast Asian nations, according to FlixPatrol. The film debuted on June 20 and climbed steadily, holding the global top spot for four consecutive days through June 24. The action-fantasy centers on a popular girl group—Rumi, Mira, and Zoey—who moonlight as demon hunters. The plot thickens when a rival boy band is revealed to be a group of demons in disguise.
‘Squid Game’ wraps with long-awaited final season
Netflix’s global hit “Squid Game” is coming to an end with the release of its third and final season on June 27. Four years after the groundbreaking first season, the final chapter follows the last journey of main character Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae. The series became a cultural phenomenon, earning an Emmy in 2022—the first ever for a non-English drama—and remains Netflix’s most-watched title to date. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, speaking at a recent premiere in New York, promised, “We did our best to bring you Season 3 quickly. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
HD Hyundai to co-build container ships in U.S.
HD Hyundai will partner with U.S.-based Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) to build mid-sized container ships in the U.S. by 2028. The partnership supports Washington’s push to rebuild domestic shipbuilding capabilities and was formalized through a comprehensive agreement for U.S. merchant vessel construction. ECO operates five shipyards and a fleet of 300 offshore service vessels but lacks experience in container shipbuilding. From 2022 to 2024, U.S. shipbuilders received orders for only three small container ships, underscoring the need for cooperation with global players like Hyundai.
One minute, that’s all it takes to know about Korea. Click here ☞ https://page.stibee.com/subscriptions/305897
