2024 – President Yoon Suk‑yeol attempts to impose martial law, prompting a brief raid on the National Assembly and later investigations into abuse of power [1][2].

Late 2024 – Troops from the 1st Special Forces Brigade enter the National Assembly to arrest lawmakers during the short‑lived martial‑law period, an action later deemed illegal and leading to senior officers’ removal [1].

Nov 27, 2025 – South Korea’s Nuri rocket deploys 12 CubeSats, which establish ground‑communication links, marking a milestone for the nation’s small‑satellite capabilities [4].

Dec 7, 2025 – Acting U.S. Ambassador Kevin Kim reaffirms that complete denuclearization remains the shared policy with South Korea after the new U.S. security strategy omits the phrase [4].

Dec 7, 2025 – Police identify a Chinese‑Korean national as the mastermind behind the KT Corp. payment breach and micropayment scam, and they seek Interpol assistance to locate the suspect [4].

Dec 8, 2025 – Judges from courts nationwide convene at the Judicial Research and Training Institute in Goyang to discuss the Democratic Party’s judicial reform bills amid concerns over potential unconstitutionality [4].

Dec 8, 2025 – President Lee Jae Myung receives a briefing from the Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development on plans to ease Seoul‑area concentration and promote regional growth [4].

Dec 9, 2025 – Nine Chinese and Russian aircraft briefly breach South Korea’s air‑defense identification zone over the east and south seas, prompting the Joint Chiefs of Staff to scramble fighters before the intruders depart without incident [3].

Dec 9, 2025 – KASA announces that the Cheollian‑1 geostationary satellite will be retired in 2026, with disposal operations slated to begin in April and the final shutdown expected by July 2026 [3].

Dec 9, 2025 – The defence ministry declares it will create a special investigation unit to continue probing the botched 2024 martial‑law bid after the special counsel’s mandate ends, ensuring continuity of the inquiry [3].

Dec 9, 2025 – The Seoul Central District Court schedules the first preparatory hearing for Mayor Oh Se‑hoon’s alleged illegal poll‑funding case on Dec 23, 2025, advancing the political‑funds prosecution [3].

Dec 9, 2025 – MarcyPen Capital Partners, backed by Jay‑Z, signs an MOU with Hanwha Asset Management to launch a private‑equity fund targeting Korean entertainment, beauty and lifestyle ventures, aiming to raise capital for K‑culture projects [3].

Dec 11, 2025 – A steel‑structure collapse at a library construction site in Gwangju kills a 47‑year‑old worker and traps three others, prompting emergency rescue efforts [2].

Dec 11, 2025 – Special counsel Cho Eun‑suk’s team indicts former Justice Minister Park Sung‑jae for aiding President Yoon’s 2024 martial‑law attempt, alleging he organized meetings, dispatched prosecutors and prepared travel bans [2].

Dec 11, 2025 – The U.S. Air Force announces it will retake control of access to a gate at Osan Air Base, ending the shared‑use arrangement with the South Korean military following a July complaint [2].

Dec 11, 2025 – Finance Minister Koo Yun‑cheol says the ministry will push for a sovereign‑wealth fund and a special export‑support fund in 2026, with a strategy to be finalized by the end of January 2026 [2].

Dec 11, 2025 – Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young suggests keeping the option to adjust or downsize U.S.–South Korea joint military exercises open to revive dialogue with North Korea [2].

Dec 11, 2025 – President Lee Jae Myung pledges an expansionary fiscal policy, stating that the 2027 budget will adopt stimulus measures to revive the sluggish economy [2].

Jan 30, 2026 – The Seoul High Court sentences former Supreme Court Chief Justice Yang Sung‑tae to six months in prison, suspended for one year, for abusing his power by improperly interfering in trials, overturning a prior acquittal of all 47 charges [1].

Jan 30, 2026 – South Korea launches the nanosatellite NEONSAT‑1A aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from New Zealand, placing it in a 540‑km low‑Earth orbit as part of a program to build an Earth‑observation constellation by 2027, overseen by KASA [1].

Jan 30, 2026 – Interim CEO Harold Rogers of Coupang appears before police for questioning over alleged evidence destruction linked to a data breach that exposed personal information of nearly 33 million users, amid accusations of obstructing investigations [1].

Jan 30, 2026 – South Korea and Japan agree to restart bilateral naval search‑and‑rescue drills after a nine‑year pause, signaling a shift toward greater regional security cooperation [1].

Jan 30, 2026 – President Lee Jae Myung announces expanded government assistance for AI‑era startups, citing concerns over AI‑powered robots such as Boston Dynamics’ Atlas humanoid robot, to mitigate job displacement and foster entrepreneurship [1].

Jan 30, 2026 – The defence ministry dismisses Brigadier General Lee Sang‑hyun and another senior commander for leading troops into the National Assembly during the 2024 martial‑law raid, reinforcing accountability for the failed coup attempt [1].

2026 (planned) – South Korea aims to complete its Earth‑observation satellite constellation, integrating NEONSAT‑1A and other assets, by 2027 to enhance domestic imaging capabilities [1].

2026 (planned) – The sovereign‑wealth fund and export‑support fund strategy is expected to be finalized by the end of January 2026, setting the stage for new investment mechanisms to boost growth and address economic polarization [2].

2026 (planned) – Cheollian‑1 disposal operations proceed from April to July 2026, concluding the satellite’s 16‑year service and freeing orbital slots [3].

2027 (planned) – President Lee’s 2027 budget adopts an expansionary fiscal stance to stimulate the economy, reflecting his pledge for short‑term stimulus and longer‑term growth [2].