U.S. Strikes Kharg Island, Spares Oil Facilities.

• The U.S. attacked Iran’s Kharg Island.
• It hosts Iran’s largest oil export terminal.
• 90% of Iran’s crude exports pass through this terminal.
• Its deep waters make it a logistics hub for supertankers.
• It can store 30 million barrels.
• Iran’s daily crude exports average 2.17 million barrels, with 1.55 million shipped from Kharg.
• The facility is so critical that no prior war has targeted it.
• A crippling strike would inflict global economic damage.
• As recently as Monday, Trump dismissed attacking Kharg as “not a priority.”
• Yet on Friday afternoon (U.S. time), the U.S. struck Kharg.
• On Truth Social, he claimed: “Obliterated every MILITARY target.”
• The announcement came after stock markets closed—potentially triggering another “Black Monday.”
• Reports describe two hours of earth-shaking bombings.
• Officials insist “only military sites were hit, no oil infrastructure.”
• But this crosses a long-unbroken “red line.”
• Analysts had deemed Kharg a last-resort target:
• Striking it risks all-out Iranian retaliation.
• Even if Iran’s regime collapsed, Kharg would be essential to reconstruction.
• Destroying it won’t force surrender.
• Trump added: “We might hit it a few more times for fun.”
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Iran’s Counterstrike Hits UAE Port.

• It attacked the Port of Fujairah, which can bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
• It can ship 1 million barrels per day, with storage capacity reaching 18 million barrels.
• The damage was not significant. Oil shipments halted for a day and resumed Sunday.
• According to CNN, deaths so far total over 2,400 in Iran and 800 in Lebanon.
• The Human Rights Activists News Agency provides more detailed figures: 1,298 civilian deaths in Iran, including 205 children, and 1,122 military fatalities.

U.S. Marine Deployment from Japan.

• The 2,500 U.S. Marines are traveling aboard the amphibious assault ship Tripoli. The journey will take about a week.
• They may conduct ground operations on Kharg Island. Success would deal Iran a massive economic blow—but reaching Kharg would leave them exposed to missile and drone attacks.
• Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf (Iranian Parliament Speaker) posted on X, “It’s like throwing soldiers into a meat grinder,” adding, “Die for Israel.”
• Related Link.

What Matters Now.

Trump Crosses a Line: “South Korea, Send Warships.”.

• Trump casually posted on Truth Social: “Countries affected by the Strait of Hormuz blockade will be sending warships.”
• He mentioned South Korea, Japan, the UK, France, and China. While the UK and France are already involved in the war, China is closer to Iran than the U.S. Ultimately, it’s a demand for South Korea and Japan to show loyalty.
• France dispatched an aircraft carrier, fighter jets, and frigates to Cypriot waters—over a week’s sailing distance from the Strait of Hormuz.
• The UK is considering supporting intercept drones. Trump also grumbled about Keir Starmer (UK Prime Minister): “No need for those who try to join a war already won.”
• Kim Min-seok (Prime Minister), who met with Trump last Friday, stated, “There was no discussion, request for support, or call for assistance.”
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Japan Likely to Send Warships.

• Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae (Japan) will meet Trump in the U.S. on the 19th. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force is highly regarded for its mine-clearing capabilities.
• South Korea has previously deployed troops to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, but those conflicts had UN Security Council resolutions—a different context. Parliamentary ratification would also be required.
• If Trump’s demand is refused, retaliatory measures like item-specific tariffs could follow.
• A Blue House official stated, “We are not reviewing it yet,” adding that Trump’s request may have been vague or impulsive.
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“I Want to Meet Kim Jong-un.”.

• Trump said this to Kim Min-seok (Prime Minister).
• Some progress was made. They confirmed that Section 301 of the Trade Act was not specifically targeting South Korea.
• Trump had a photo brought in of him meeting Kim Jong-un (North Korean State Affairs Commissioner) at Panmunjom and said, “Meeting is really good.”
• Kim Min-seok proposed a card to resolve the North Korean issue, and Trump reportedly gave additional instructions to his aides—but no specifics were disclosed.
• Related Link.

Will Gas Prices Stabilize?

• Fell for four consecutive days. Gasoline and diesel rose to 1,907 won and 1,932 won respectively, then dropped to 1,840 won and 1,841 won.
• The government’s price ceiling is set at 1,724 won and 1,713 won based on refinery supply prices.
• Many stations are still holding out—selling at a loss until existing stock is depleted, they argue.
• Lee Jae-myung (President) posted on X: “Report any gas stations violating the price ceiling.”
• Kim Tae-hwang (Myongji University Professor) said, “When the government adjusts the price ceiling again in two weeks, gasoline and diesel prices are likely to rise once more.”
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Half of the 490 Medical School Seats Allocated to Regional Public Universities.

• The number will increase from 3,058 this year to 3,548 next year. 264 seats have been assigned to nine regional public universities.
• A plan is in place to select 3,000 students through a regional doctor quota system over five years.
• A national graduate medical school will also be established. Graduates must serve in public healthcare for 15 years after obtaining their license. It will open in 2030, admitting 100 students annually.
• Related Link.

Industrial Electricity Rates: Lower by Day, Higher by Night.

• First rate overhaul in 49 years. Seasonal+time-based rates will be introduced.
• Midday rates (11 AM–12 PM and 1 PM–3 PM, when solar power peaks) will be set at intermediate levels, while peak rates (6 PM–9 PM, when fossil fuels dominate) will be highest.
• Daytime rates will drop by 70.3–82.1 won per kWh, while nighttime rates will rise by 53.5–65.2 won.
• The 1977 rate system prioritized thermal power, with higher daytime and lower nighttime rates to spread demand. With renewables like solar now dominant, surplus power occurs by day and shortages at night.
• Base rates are also adjusted: the lowest tier rises by 5.1 won/kWh, while the highest tier drops by 16.9 won (summer/winter) or 13.2 won (spring/fall).
• Steel and cement industries—heavy nighttime users—are disgruntled. Kim Yang-ji (Power Market Division Head, Ministry of Climate and Energy) said, “These companies could also cut costs by shifting self-generated power to daytime under the new system.”
• U.S.-Iran war impacts are not yet factored in. A mid-year review is planned for the second half of the year.
• Related Link.
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Deep Dive.

Holding Firm: Oh Se-hoon, Lee Jung-hyun’s Brief Exit and Return.

• Lee Jung-hyun (People Power Party Nomination Committee Chair) expressed his intent to resign, stating, “I tried my best but judged it impossible,” only to return two days later. It is said that Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok (People Power Party Leader) persuaded him by offering full authority.
• Lee maintains, “Penalties for Daegu’s senior lawmakers are unavoidable.”
• Rumors circulated that Oh Se-hoon (Seoul Mayor) strongly criticized the lack of nomination applications. Oh drew a line, stating, “Visible party reform must come first.”
• Oh insists on replacing Yoon Min-woo (People Power Party Ethics Committee Chair), Jang Ye-chan (Yeouido Research Center Deputy Director), and Park Min-young (People Power Party Media Spokesperson).
• Lee announced today that applications will be accepted until tomorrow, with interviews scheduled for the 20th.
• In a Gallup Korea poll, the People Power Party’s approval rating dropped to 20%.
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A Bond Trader’s Confession.

• “The financial system isn’t collapsing, which is why I’m uneasy,” a veteran London trader told the Financial Times.
• Markets operate on the assumption they won’t spiral out of control.
• The experts’ verdict is unanimous: “We don’t know.”
• This situation isn’t like last year’s tariff war. Tariffs could be lifted if Trump chose, but Iran is different.
• Some speculate oil could hold at $120–130, but others argue $200 is the new benchmark.
• Anton Eggers (Robeco CIO) noted, “Geopolitical crises aren’t like the 1970s, AI isn’t like the dot-com bubble, and private equity isn’t 2008.”
• “They’re mixed,” he said, “and we can’t tell which will be the trigger.”
• Related Link.

Trump Couldn’t Have Been Unaware.

• Until now, the reason the U.S. hasn’t struck Iran is the risk of the Strait of Hormuz closing.
• If oil shipments halt and storage tanks fill, production would have to slow or stop.
• According to the IEA (International Energy Agency), output has already dropped by nearly 10 million barrels per day—10% of global supply.
• Though Saudi Arabia has pipelines, their capacity is limited to 5 million barrels daily.
• The Guardian analyzed that Trump’s likelihood of defeat is high—not a military loss, but public opposition being the greater crisis. “By now, his advisors should have realized that even if they shattered a nation, they couldn’t win the war,” it noted.
• Related Link.
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U.S. Oil Majors Smile.

• The U.S. is the world’s largest oil producer. When Middle East prices rise, U.S. prices follow.
• Even at $100 per barrel, U.S. oil companies would gain an additional $63.4 billion, according to the Financial Times.
• BP and ExxonMobil, heavily reliant on the Middle East, face relatively larger losses.
• Related Link.

LNG Suffering More Severely.

• Global production has halted by one-fifth. LNG prices have surged in Europe after QatarEnergy suspended supplies.
• There are also observations that aversion to nuclear power may diminish.
• Related Link.

U.S. Economic Growth Also Lost at Sea.

• Prices are rising and growth forecasts must be lowered. Before starting the war, they boasted, “The economy is regaining vitality and America is once again being respected,” but now everything has changed.
• The war that has already begun is likely to drag on regardless of Trump’s will.
• The Fed also faces a heavy burden in cutting rates.
• The promised tax refunds have become difficult to deliver.

If Trump Wants Control of the Strait of Hormuz.

• First, he’d need to persuade logistics and insurance companies. Even with U.S. military escort, tankers are unlikely to move unless there’s certainty of 100% safety.
• The Wall Street Journal examined several scenarios—none are easy.
• Each escorted tanker would require two warships. Defending against missiles and drones in wide-open waters is highly risky; failure is probable. Intercepting launchers immediately after detection would be necessary, but the area is vast.
• Over 600 tankers are already stranded inside the strait—extracting them could take months.
• A preemptive U.S. strike on coastal positions might be attempted, but without ground troops, it would be difficult and costly in human terms.
• Related Link.

Another Take.

Why Iran Can Hold On.An analysis by Nam-Sik In (Professor at the National Diplomatic Academy). First, due to the cohesion of the ruling coalition. It has remained unshaken for 47 years, and despite the deaths of tens of thousands in anti-government protests last January, no soldiers or police defected. Second, its decentralized “sacred defense” system is robust. Even if command headquarters are eliminated, unit commanders retain autonomous operational authority. Third, the martyrdom narrative is at play. The regime tolerates the deification of dictators as martyrs and accepts hereditary succession of supreme leaders. Nam-Sik In analyzed, “If Mousavi—hypothetically—were prepared to die at the hands of infidels, ascend to martyrdom, and reunite with his family in heaven, nothing he does would be surprising.” The implication: it is difficult to gauge how intense or prolonged the war might become.Why Iran Can Hold On.An analysis by Nam-Sik In (Professor at the National Diplomatic Academy). First, due to the cohesion of the ruling coalition. It has remained unshaken for 47 years, and despite the deaths of tens of thousands in anti-government protests last January, no soldiers or police defected. Second, its decentralized “sacred defense” system is robust. Even if command headquarters are eliminated, unit commanders retain autonomous operational authority. Third, the martyrdom narrative is at play. The regime tolerates the deification of dictators as martyrs and accepts hereditary succession of supreme leaders. Nam-Sik In analyzed, “If Mousavi—hypothetically—were prepared to die at the hands of infidels, ascend to martyrdom, and reunite with his family in heaven, nothing he does would be surprising.” The implication: it is difficult to gauge how intense or prolonged the war might become.**Note:** The placeholder “Mousavi” was used as a hypothetical name based on the original Korean text’s reference to “모즈타바” (likely a transliteration error or placeholder). If a specific name was intended, it should be verified and adjusted accordingly. The translation preserves the original’s structure, tone, and rhetorical questions while maintaining consistency with prior context (e.g., formal titles in parentheses). Line breaks and itemized content are retained exactly as in the source.

• An analysis by Nam-Sik In (Professor at the National Diplomatic Academy).
• First, due to the cohesion of the ruling coalition. It has remained unshaken for 47 years, and despite the deaths of tens of thousands in anti-government protests last January, no soldiers or police defected.
• Second, its decentralized “sacred defense” system is robust. Even if command headquarters are eliminated, unit commanders retain autonomous operational authority.
• Third, the martyrdom narrative is at play. The regime tolerates the deification of dictators as martyrs and accepts hereditary succession of supreme leaders.
• Nam-Sik In analyzed, “If Mousavi—hypothetically—were prepared to die at the hands of infidels, ascend to martyrdom, and reunite with his family in heaven, nothing he does would be surprising.”
• The implication: it is difficult to gauge how intense or prolonged the war might become.
• Related Link.

Will Pro-Moon Faction Finally Cut Ties with Kim Eo-jun?

• Kim Eo-jun (CEO of Ddanzi Ilbo) recently commented on Jang In-su’s (former MBC journalist) broadcast, stating, “The credibility of the reporting is Jang’s responsibility,” and added, “Why apologize for choosing a platform with high traffic to expose the story?”
• Kang Deuk-gu (Democratic Party Supreme Council Member) pointed out, “Given his societal influence, rigorous fact-checking should have been fundamental.”
• Han Jeong-ae (Democratic Party Policy Committee Chair) said, “We hope he takes due responsibility, reflects, apologizes, and works to prevent recurrence.”
• Song Young-gil (former Democratic Party Leader) remarked, “Even if invited, I wouldn’t want to attend.” Park Chan-dae (Democratic Party lawmaker) stated, “It’s been a while since I last appeared.”
• A Democratic Party lawmaker told The Korea Herald, “Seeing Kim Eo-jun make Democratic candidates bow deeply during the 2020 elections, I thought his ‘shadow ruler’ act had crossed a line.” Another lawmaker went as far as to say, “This marks the beginning of the end for Kim Eo-jun’s era.”
• Lee Hyun-sang (JoongAng Ilbo columnist) assessed, “Kim Eo-jun’s political influence stemmed largely from mocking, disparaging, and peddling conspiracy theories against conservatives,” adding, “When those tactics turned inward, he faced backlash.”
• In an editorial, The Korea Herald wrote, “The president’s remark that ‘irresponsible media is a weapon’ is accurate,” but emphasized, “No ‘friendly media’ should be exempt.”
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“We Stripped Their Investigative Power—What’s the Problem?”.

• Lee Jae-myung (President) made these remarks during a dinner with Democratic Party freshmen lawmakers, according to a JoongAng Ilbo report. He requested the passage of the government’s proposed Central and Public Prosecutors’ Office bills.
• “Didn’t we already establish this as party policy? Not all prosecutors are bad, and we’ve stripped their investigative authority—what’s the big issue?” he reportedly said.
• Regarding the debate over the title of “Prosecutor General,” he reportedly stated, “What’s the fuss over the title? The real goal is abolishing the prosecutors’ office—we shouldn’t get bogged down over a name.”
• One attending lawmaker remarked, “I thought he was indirectly criticizing Choo Mi-ae (Judiciary Committee Chair) and Kim Yong-min (Democratic Party lawmaker).”
• Related Link.

The Last Hardliner Is Kim Yong-min.

• Even Choo Mi-ae (Judiciary Committee Chair) is keeping quiet these days. Most hardline lawmakers have fallen in line as Lee Jae-myung (President) mediates, but Kim Yong-min (Democratic Party lawmaker) remains strongly defiant.
• Seong Han-yong (Senior Hankyoreh Reporter) argued, “We must trust and follow Lee Jae-myung’s resolve on prosecutorial reform.”
• Related Link.

Unlikely Punishment for Cho Hee-dae.

• Though reported as the first case of “distortion of justice,” expert opinions remain skeptical.
• Hankyoreh analyzed, “Due to the principle of non-retroactivity.” There are claims that it’s impossible to create a law now to punish Cho Hee-dae (Chief Justice) for improperly reviewing and remanding the election law violation case of Lee Jae-myung (then presidential candidate)—a case already concluded.
• Admittedly, some argue the trial remains ongoing as inaction persists, but the dominant assessment is that this interpretation stretches legal principles too far.
• A prosecutor interviewed by Hankyoreh said, “Proving internal intent is extremely difficult” and questioned, “Given the broad discretion judges hold, I doubt practical punishment is feasible.”
• Related Link.

The Fix.

Why Buybacks Aren’t True Shareholder Returns.

• First, dividends distribute money to all shareholders. Second, rising stock prices naturally make all shareholders happy.
• But buybacks? The effect is short-lived. Intel and Boeing’s stocks fell, while Apple and Microsoft’s rose. What matters is performance.
• If buybacks temporarily boost stock prices, shareholders who sell at that moment profit—but long-term, stock prices inevitably follow performance.
• Sang Jang-seop (National University of Singapore professor) pointed out, “Buybacks are often done reluctantly under social pressure, even when it’s unclear if they truly benefit shareholders.”
• Sang emphasizes Total Shareholder Return (TSR): “Companies and shareholders must closely collaborate on direct methods to boost medium-to-long-term TSR—and if needed, jointly propose policy measures to the government.”
• Related Link.

Electronic Anklets Failed to Prevent a Stalking Murder.

• Murderer A was released after serving time for a sex crime and was wearing an electronic anklet.
• Victim B, in a de facto marital relationship with A, had reported domestic violence and other crimes against A multiple times and had obtained a restraining order.
• The issue was that information was not shared between the probation officers tracking the anklet and the police, and no alarm was triggered even though A approached B on the day of the murder. If the anklet had included location-tracking features and alerted the victim, the worst might have been avoided.
• A Ministry of Justice official stated, “There are thousands or tens of thousands of people wearing electronic anklets—real-time monitoring is impossible.”

ICYMI.

Why Cheong Wa Dae Chose Jung Eun-ho Over Ko Young-jin.

• Ko Young-jin (former Democratic Party lawmaker) was initially rumored to be appointed.
• But the announcement was delayed, and Jung Eun-ho (Democratic Party lawmaker) took the position instead.
• Current lawmakers must resign to join Cheong Wa Dae.
• A regular secretary—rather than a senior secretary—is unusual.
• Hwang Dae-jin (Chosun Ilbo columnist) claims Speaker Woo Won-shik was behind the switch.
• Originally, Ko represented Nowon Gap and Woo Nowon Eul, but their districts merged in the 22nd general election, and Woo won the nomination.
• “Woo opposed letting a rival gain influence,” Hwang reported as the unofficial explanation.
• Woo is unlikely to retire after his speakership—he may aim for party leadership, the presidency, or another term in the legislature.
• Hwang noted, “Given Woo’s experience and loyalists, it’s not impossible,” but criticized, “He’s using authority granted by the public to secure his own post-retirement future.”
• Related Link.

BTS Gwanghwamun Concert: 31 Buildings Under Access Control.

• It begins at 8:00 PM on the 21st. Up to 260,000 people are expected to attend.
• 6,500 police officers will be deployed—double the 3,000 assigned to the Yeouido Fireworks Festival.
• Total personnel managing the event, including police, number 14,700.
• A stadium-style crowd control system is adopted. A 1.2km section from the northern end of Gwanghwamun Plaza (where the stage is set up) to City Hall Station will be fenced off as a core zone, with access limited to 31 gates.
• Metal detectors and security checks will be implemented. Barriers including vehicle barriers and steel plate obstacles will also be installed.
• Nearby roads will be closed starting at 4:00 PM. Subway trains will not stop at Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung, or City Hall Stations.
• The concert will be live-streamed on Netflix. Some projections suggest 50 million viewers.
• Convenience store CU has increased inventory at nearby stores by up to 100x. Olive Young, citing safety concerns, will close or close early its nearby branches on the day.
• Related Link.

Should You Buy Tickets Before April?

• Fuel surcharges are also likely to spike. Today (16th), the April international flight fuel surcharge will be determined. It may even surpass the all-time high set four years ago.
• Fuel surcharges are amounts airlines add to base fares based on international oil prices. Calculated in 33 tiers according to Singapore aviation fuel prices, projections suggest a jump from March’s Tier 6 to Tier 16 or higher.
• During the immediate aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war four years ago, surcharges reached Tier 22.
• Since fuel surcharges are applied at ticketing, experts advise waiting if travel isn’t urgent. Even if oil prices drop by departure, surcharges won’t be retroactively reduced. Of course, delaying ticketing risks further price increases.

House Loan Rates Hit 6.5%.

• Housing collateral loan rates have reached their highest level in two years and five months. Mixed fixed rates (based on 5-year bank bonds) have risen to 4.24–6.50% annually. The upper limit increased by 0.2 percentage points in two months.
• Personal margin accounts grew by 1.3115 trillion won this month. The effect of “debt investing” (borrowing to invest in stocks) is growing. Recently, daily securities transfers have exceeded 150 billion won.

Worth Reading.

When the President Xs a Post, “Even the Article’s Nuance Must Change.”.

• President Lee Jae-myung (President) has increasingly shared media articles on X.
• According to Shin Joon-seop (Deputy Head of the Economic Department, Kukmin Ilbo), after the President posts, ministries often request title changes or even demand altering the article’s nuance.
• “Ministries’ performance evaluations supposedly improve the more they revise headlines or content. It’s hard to dismiss fears of censorship beyond constructive criticism.”
• Shin Joon-seop warned, “The most dangerous moment is when government ministries read the President’s social media messages as signals for censorship.”
• Related Link.

Midnight Message from the President.

• Lee Jae-myung (President) once said, “Would I have survived without direct communication with the public via social media?” He added, “I would have been reduced to dust long ago by media distortion and fake news.” He also remarked, “The reason I’m still alive is that no matter how distorted the attacks are, they don’t work because I communicate directly. This is my lifeline.”
• Trump made a similar statement: “Without social media, which allows me to bypass fake news and communicate directly with citizens, I might not be here today.” He also boasted, “Tweeting is like typewriting—when I do it, it immediately becomes TV news.”
• Choi Hoon (Central Daily senior correspondent) pointed out, “The processes of prior discussion, debate, and verification by administrative departments or Blue House aides, including the Chief of Public Relations, can become sloppy under the pressure of the President’s ‘communication speed.’”
• There’s advice that says, “Never send a love letter written at night.” The same applies to a President’s social media message. It’s better to read it again in the morning before sending and consider an additional round of coordination.
• Related Link.

Is Yang Moon-seok Abusing the Constitutional Appeal System?

• Lee Chun-jae (Hankyoreh columnist), who has strongly advocated for judicial reform, does not think so. This is because the Yang Moon-seok (former Democratic Party lawmaker) case is highly unlikely to pass preliminary review anyway.
• Twenty cases were filed on the first day of the constitutional appeal system, and some are meaningful.
• There is a constitutional appeal challenging the aggravated punishment for assaulting family elders. Since South Korea is the only country that imposes harsher penalties for crimes against family elders, it is worth debating. This is not about downplaying elder assault but a matter of principle.
• Lee Chun-jae evaluated, “Laws must evolve with the times,” adding, “The constitutional appeal system could act as a catalyst.”
• Related Link.

‘New Lee Jae-myung’: A Political Refugee.

• “People who supported the People Power Party have spilled out like rice from a broken jar.”
• No Won-myeong (Maeil Business News columnist) sees that rice as having moved to the Democratic Party’s rice jar, becoming ‘New Lee Jae-myung’—though (admittedly, ‘New Lee Jae-myung’ includes a significant number of progressives and moderates).
• No Won-myeong pointed out, “When the base changes, the party’s character changes with it.” If the Democratic Party wins the Daegu mayoral race in the June local elections? Will Kim Eo-jun and Yoo Si-min still remain the party’s mainstream then?
• “Throwing stones and shouting ‘Don’t muddy the water’ won’t stop the current. Even the Roman army couldn’t halt the Germanic migrations.” No Won-myeong analyzed, “Now is a phase where the decline of one side invites expansion and fragmentation on the other.”
• Related Link.

Divided Views on Troop Deployment to Iran.

• Newspapers are split on the deployment to Iran.
• The Kyunghyang Shinmun editorial criticized, “The U.S. attitude of shifting the military costs of a unilateral war to allies undermines the very spirit of alliance.” It argued, “The government—and the National Assembly, which holds ratification authority—must draw a clear line with national and public safety as the sole priority.”
• The Hankyoreh took a more flexible stance, stating, “Seeking public opinion through the National Assembly’s consent process is the proper approach.” This implies deployment could proceed if approved. Though its editorial title warns, “Must Avoid Being Drawn into Wars That Harm National Interest,” its content diverges significantly.
• The JoongAng Ilbo adopted a cautious tone: “We must gauge U.S. intentions while closely coordinating with other nations receiving similar requests.” It stressed, “The time has come for sophisticated diplomacy—preserving the ROK-U.S. alliance while minimizing friction with Middle Eastern states.”
• The Hankook Ilbo cautioned, “We must guard against the folly of losing the big picture while clinging to small gains.” It emphasized, “Until an official U.S. request arrives, it’s critical to buy time by thoroughly assessing long-term impacts on national interest.”
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