June 4, 2025 – President Lee Jae Myung wins the presidential election, a moment captured in a photo later named among TIME’s top 100 images of the year, symbolizing his political mandate and the start of a new administration[3].

Oct 2025 – President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump hold a bilateral summit in Washington, issuing a joint fact sheet that outlines cooperation on civil uranium enrichment, spent‑fuel reprocessing, and the acquisition of nuclear‑powered submarines, setting the strategic agenda for the coming year[1][2][3].

Dec 14, 2025 – A Seoul court sentences retired Maj. Gen. Noh Sang‑won to two years in prison for illegally collecting military intelligence officers’ personal data and orders him to forfeit 24.9 million won, underscoring the government’s crackdown on security‑related corruption[3].

Dec 15, 2025 – National Security Adviser Wi Sung‑lac departs for Washington to meet U.S. officials on follow‑up measures to the October summit, while South Korea and the United States launch the two‑day “Winter Tiger” drill on nuclear and radiological terrorism response, scheduled to run through Dec 17[3].

Dec 15, 2025 – TIME publishes its 2025 top‑100 photo list, featuring Lee’s election‑day image, highlighting the visual impact of his victory on global media[3].

Dec 15, 2025 – Police investigate a bomb threat at Kakao Corp.’s Pangyo headquarters, deploying about 70 officers but finding no explosives, demonstrating heightened security vigilance in the tech sector[3].

Dec 15, 2025 – The Unification Ministry announces it will skip the regular Seoul‑Washington consultative talks on North Korea policy, opting instead to engage with Washington on a case‑by‑case basis, signaling a shift in diplomatic coordination[3].

Dec 16, 2025 – Wi Sung‑lac meets U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, discussing implementation of the October summit’s nuclear‑submarine and uranium‑enrichment initiatives and reaffirming the allies’ security partnership[2].

Dec 16, 2025 – Harold Rogers, interim CEO of Coupang, apologizes before a parliamentary committee for a massive customer data leak, pledging remedial actions and emphasizing the company’s commitment to data security[2].

Dec 16, 2025 – Police plan to question Unification Church leader Han Hak‑ja over alleged 2018‑2020 bribery involving senior politicians, expanding a probe into political corruption linked to religious groups[2].

Dec 16, 2025 – A special counsel team raids Rep. Kim Gi‑hyeon’s residence to collect evidence of a luxury gift allegedly given to former first lady Kim Keon Hee, intensifying scrutiny of high‑level graft[2].

Dec 16, 2025 – Seoul announces a service‑sector free‑trade agreement with China and seeks accession to the Japan‑led CPTPP, aiming to sustain export momentum amid global trade uncertainties[2].

Feb 5, 2026 – Trade Minister Yeo Han‑koo returns from a week‑long Washington visit and says South Korea will keep close consultations with the United States to avert a threatened 25 percent tariff on Korean goods, reflecting ongoing trade‑policy negotiations[1].

Feb 5, 2026 – Seoul police request arrest warrants for independent lawmaker Kang Sun‑woo and former Seoul councilor Kim Kyung, alleging participation in a bribery scheme tied to the 2022 local elections, highlighting continued anti‑corruption efforts[1].

Feb 5, 2026 – Foreign Minister Cho Hyun meets U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, reaffirming urgency in securing civil uranium enrichment, spent‑fuel reprocessing rights, and nuclear‑powered submarines, reinforcing the strategic partnership outlined at the October summit[1].

Feb 5, 2026 – Seoul city government extends subway and bus operations until 1 a.m. on Feb 16‑18 for the Lunar New Year and keeps 72 emergency medical facilities open 24 hours, ensuring public safety during the holiday period[1].

Feb 5, 2026 – Eight major international banks raise their average 2026 GDP growth forecast for South Korea to 2.1 percent, citing a semiconductor upcycle, indicating an improved economic outlook[1].

Feb 5, 2026 – The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources earmarks up to 464.5 billion won (≈US$317.6 million) for domestic automotive R&D in autonomous driving and other cutting‑edge technologies, supporting the sector after a record US$72 billion in auto exports despite tariff pressures[1].