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Heesu Lee
U.K. Prime Miniter Keir Starmer speaks at the Jaguar Land Rover automobile manufacturing plant in Solihull, U.K. Starmer declared in May that his trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump included a cut in U.S. tariffs on British steel to zero.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 18, 2025
Trade partners grow restless waiting for Trump’s tariff breaks
While deals have been cut, the lower tariff rates agreed have yet to kick in.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's government, which took office in June, has sought to show as much flexibility as possible when it comes to the U.S.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 11, 2025
South Korea’s winning strategy for Trump faces moment of truth
So far, South Korea has largely flown under the diplomatic radar, working mostly behind the scenes with the U.S. without some of the grand gestures seen from other leaders.
A container ship approaches the Busan Port Terminal in Busan, South Korea, on July 23. Seoul's trade agreement with the U.S. brings one of the world’s biggest exporters into Washington’s emerging trade framework just a day before the deadline.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jul 31, 2025
U.S. sets South Korea tariff rate at 15% with energy and shipbuilding investment
The agreement brings one of the world’s biggest exporters into Washington’s emerging trade framework just a day before the deadline.
Yoon Suk-Yeol speaks to the nation at the Presidential Office on Dec. 7.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 17, 2024
Martial law fiasco casts doubt over South Korea's nuclear power push
Stocks related to the nuclear sector have already suffered losses due to souring investor sentiment since the political crisis began.
Traffic in the Yeouido financial district of Seoul
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 30, 2024
Ex-Goldman banker-turned-billionaire takes on South Korea’s chaebol
While private equity’s involvement in South Korea's economy has grown over the last two decades, few have taken on the powerful, family-run conglomerates.
The powertrain of a Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4Matic SUV. A Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle burst into flames in the South Korean city of Incheon in July, fueling public fear over the safety of battery-powered cars in recent months.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 23, 2024
A Mercedes-Benz fire could cloud South Korea’s EV shift, or give it a boost
Seoul's push for battery-supplier transparency and parking lot safety could pave the way for a more resilient environment for EVs in the future.
A charging cable is connected to a Hyundai electric vehicle at the 2022 Busan International Motor Show in Busan, South Korea, on July 14, 2022.
BUSINESS / Tech
Aug 8, 2024
Seoul EV explosion sparks safety fears, prompting charging rethink
Over 700 people were evacuated and 23 hospitalized after an unplugged electric Mercedes-Benz sedan caught fire in a Seoul underground parking lot.
The No. 1 reactor building stands at Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co.'s Shin-Kori nuclear power plant in Ulsan, South Korea.
BUSINESS
Jul 21, 2024
South Korea edges ahead of rivals to build Europe’s nuclear reactors
A pair of projects in the Czech Republic could set up South Korea to build reactors for Western countries that are reconsidering nuclear energy.
Daniel Calvert accepted the award for Asia's best eatery on behalf of Sezanne, a French restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Mar 31, 2024
Tokyo's Sezanne reigns supreme as Asia's best restaurant
Against the best restaurants Asia has to offer, Japan captured nine of the top 50 spots.
Smoke rises from the Posco steel mill in Pohang, South Korea.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 26, 2024
South Korea’s biggest polluters made millions from carbon sales
Seoul was one of the first in Asia to start an emissions-trading system, but it has fallen short of encouraging industrial polluters to reduce pollution.
People walk past a television screen showing a broadcast with file footage of South Korean lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin, at a railway station in Seoul on Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
Jan 26, 2024
South Korean lawmaker treated for cuts to head following attack
Bae Hyun-jin, of the ruling party, was struck several times by the assailant who was wearing a dark coat and had his face covered.
BTS fans at an event in Seoul on June 17
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change
Aug 3, 2023
K-pop fans fight big coal to protect beach made famous by BTS
Environmental groups are aiming to harness the immense influence that K-pop enthusiasts have to fight climate change.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 6, 2023
Seafood and beauty exports at risk over Fukushima waste disposal plan
China and Hong Kong, both major importers of Japanese goods, have reiterated concerns over the plan even after the International Atomic Energy Agency said the disposal strategy is safe.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 19, 2023
Ancient Amazon charcoal seen as next big thing in carbon markets
Known as biochar, this black substance can store carbon for hundreds of years and improve soil quality at the same time.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Dec 3, 2022
South Korea’s intense strike culture builds pressure on President Yoon Suk-yeol
South Korea is emerging as one of the most visible hot spots for growing labor discontent, as workers around the world demand safer conditions and better wage systems.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 23, 2022
U.S. climate law offers major boost to Korean clean energy firms
Washington's goal to cut dependence on equipment from China, which dominates many of these markets, should also give Korean firms a competitive edge.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 8, 2022
Carbon prices in Asia are too cheap to help curb emissions
Asia is struggling to adopt ambitious pollution pricing instruments, especially at a time of soaring inflation, rising energy prices and economic instability.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 7, 2022
Asia’s $350 billion gas build-out stirs energy debate
That boom is aimed at allowing economies including China, the Philippines and Vietnam to avoid burning more coal, although it still risks locking in the use of fossil fuels for decades.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Mar 1, 2022
South Korea's giant floating solar flowers offer hope for unpopular large-scale projects
The 17 giant flowers on the 19-kilometer-long reservoir in Hapcheon are able to generate 41 megawatts, enough to power 20,000 homes, according to the firm that built the plant.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 10, 2022
South Korea’s nuclear energy future is a new election battleground
South Korea's top presidential candidates are offering diverging visions on nuclear power, though both agree the nation must soften its plans to phase it out to meet climate targets.

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Tetsuzo Shiraishi, speaking at The Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage, uses a thermos to explain how he experienced the U.S. firebombing of March 1945, when he was just 7 years old.
From ashes to high-rises: A survivor’s account of Tokyo’s postwar past