Category: International Headlines

South Korea is definitely in a tough spot and how they maneuver through it should be done in close coordination with Japan to create a more united front with another key U.S. ally:

Victor Cha

U.S. President Donald Trump could hit back at Korea by imposing more tariffs if Seoul secures an exemption from Iran for its ships’ transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a U.S. expert said Wednesday.

Victor Cha, Korea chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), made the remarks at a forum, noting that Seoul is faced with having to make the “least bad choice” among difficult options regarding its vessels stranded in shipping routes effectively blocked by Tehran.

Cha noted that Seoul engaging with Tehran to get its vessels through the waterway would be one of the less favorable options, a move that could “risk upsetting” Trump.

Korea Times

You can read more at the link.

I think the only way that Iran turns into a shattered Syria like state that Israel is pushing for is if the regime’s oil wealth is stopped. However, doing that would likely risk retaliation against the oil infrastructure of their Gulf neighbor countries. Would the U.S. risk the Gulf Arab oil infrastructure being destroyed to take down the regime? I guess we will see. However, if the oil is allowed to flow the IRGC will use the vast majority of those funds to rearm as quickly as possible:

As the war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran prolongs, concerns are growing that Iran could transform into a “giant North Korea.” There are significant fears that Iran might transition into a closed military state centered around its military elite following a large-scale U.S. attack.

Foreign Policy (FP), a U.S. diplomatic and security-focused media outlet, recently highlighted this scenario in an article titled “Does Iran’s Future Look Like Cuba, Syria or North Korea?” FP noted, “Arab Gulf states are increasingly leaning toward effectively quarantining Iran until it becomes something akin to Cuba: diminished and rigid but contained.” In contrast, Israel aims to collapse the Iranian regime to eliminate its regional influence, making it resemble “civil-war era Syria,” according to FP’s analysis. However, concerns arise that Iran is heading toward the worst-case scenario: becoming a “North Korea-style state.” FP warned, “The reality, however, is that both approaches might not turn out the way their advocates hope,” adding, “There is a strong risk that Iran will end up not like Cuba or Syria, but instead like North Korea—a garrison state that survives by becoming more dangerous, not less.”

Chosun Ilbo

You can read more at the link, but it appears the U.S. is going to adopt the lawnmower strategy Israel has used for years against Hamas and Hezbollah. Bomb Iran every few years to diminish their military capacity every time they rebuild it to a point they can threaten their neighbors. It won’t be popular having to continually go back and bomb them, but the only alternative is to allow them to reconstitute their drone and missile programs.

The IRGC has been attempting to build enough missiles and drones to hold its neighbors and Europe hostage in order to build a nuclear bomb. The attack on Diego Garcia shows they have developed a missile to attack Europe. Would the U.S. take action against Iran in the future if ballistic missiles are a threat to rain down on London, Paris, and Berlin along with Israel and the Gulf Arab nations?

This is essentially what the U.S. faced with North Korea in the 1990’s. Bill Clinton decided not to take military action to stop North Korea’s nuclear program because of the risk of an artillery attack on Seoul where millions of people and South Korea’s economy is centered around. We are now living with the consequences of that decision to this day.

If birth right citizenship gets overturned it would probably be the singularly most important way to greatly reduce illegal immigration into the U.S. This is because it would end a major incentive illegal immigrants have to come to America to include Koreans looking to have their kids avoid mandatory military service with American citizenship:

With President Donald Trump attending, the Supreme Court on Wednesday heard arguments over the legality of his directive to restrict birthright citizenship in the U.S., a contentious part of his efforts to curb immigration that would upend long-held understanding of a key constitutional provision.

Some of the justices including conservative Chief Justice John Roberts asked tough questions of the Justice Department lawyer defending Trump’s action.

The justices were hearing the Trump administration’s appeal of a lower court’s decision that blocked his executive order directing U.S. agencies not to recognize the citizenship of children born in the United States if neither parent is an American citizen or legal permanent resident, also called a “green card” holder.

Korea Times

You can read more at the link.

If you believe what President Trump is saying, it is looking more and more like the U.S. will end the war without re-opening the Strait of Hormuz:

U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that South Korea was “not helpful” to the United States, noting the presence of American troops “in harm’s way” in the Asian country “right next to a nuclear force,” as he highlighted the need for countries to secure the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Trump made the remarks during an annual Easter luncheon at the White House, singling out South Korea, China, Japan and France as he reiterated that those countries that rely on the strait for energy imports should act to help reopen the waterway, a crucial oil shipping route.

“Let the European countries do it. Let South Korea, who was not helpful to us, by the way. … You know, we only have 45,000 soldiers in harm’s way over there, right next to a nuclear force. Let South Korea do it,” he said, referring to the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea and North Korea’s nuclear force.

“Let Japan do it. They get 90 percent of the oil from the strait. Let China do it. Let them all do it,” he added.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link, but if I had to guess the U.S. casualty projections to re-open the Strait are not worth it to Trump in a mid-term election year. Due to the U.S.’s ample energy supplies, Americans are not going to experience fuel shortages like much of the rest of the world and this gives Trump the opportunity to push the problem on to nations reliant on Gulf energy sources to solve.

If Iran can make people pay a toll to cross the Strait of Hormuz what is to then stop other countries to do the same thing at other strategic waterways? Is everyone ready to pay a tax to the Chinese to cross the South China Sea next?:

The Iranian parliament’s approval on the 30th (local time) of the management plan to collect tolls for passage through the Strait of Hormuz signifies its intention to fully control the global energy trade gateway, through which approximately 20% of the world’s crude oil passes, and turn it into a “money pipeline.” If this plan is actually implemented, it is expected to deal a significant blow to the global economy. Concerns are growing that South Korean refiners will face unavoidable additional costs in the trillions of won, leading to soaring domestic oil prices and inflation across industries.

The management plan explicitly prohibits the passage of vessels with American or Israeli nationality or ownership. It also blocks access to the strait for ships from countries that have unilaterally imposed sanctions on Iran. The plan also specifies that tolls will be collected in the national currency, the rial.

Chosun Daily

You can read more at the link.

It looks like the tight relationship that South Korea has built with UAE over many years is now paying off with this announcement:

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged to treat Korea as its top priority for crude oil exports, President Lee Jae Myung’s top aide said Wednesday, announcing that a total of 24 million barrels have been secured from the Gulf country as Tehran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz threatens to squeeze Seoul’s energy supply. 

“The UAE promised that Korea is the ‘No. 1 priority’ in supplying crude oil and we agreed that Korea could buy oil anytime through the UAE,” presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said at a briefing.

In addition to 6 million barrels of crude oil under a previous agreement, the UAE promised this time that an additional 18 million barrels would be shipped to Korea. Roughly 6 million barrels will be shipped by three UAE cargo ships, while six Korean vessels will transport the remainder. Kang added that Seoul and Abu Dhabi plan to sign a memorandum of understanding on the oil supply chain in the near future.

Korea Times

You can read more at the link.

Is it just me or has Trump’s messaging for the Iran War been horrible?:

 U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States no longer needs naval assistance from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies, South Korea, Japan or Australia to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, citing “military success” in ongoing operations against Iran.

Trump made the remarks in a social media post after calling on allies and partners to help reopen the strait that has been effectively closed by the ongoing war between the U.S., Israel and Iran. The crucial waterway carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.

In a press availability later, Trump also said that NATO is “making a foolish mistake,” showing his displeasure of NATO members’ reluctance to accept his request for support in keeping the strait open, such as sending naval ships to escort merchant vessels through the channel.

“Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!”

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

Fortunately these South Korean citizens were able to evacuate from Iran:

Twenty-three South Koreans have been evacuated from Iran by land amid the escalating conflict following U.S. and Israeli military strikes, the foreign ministry said Tuesday.

The individuals left Tehran early Monday (local time) aboard two chartered buses arranged by the South Korean Embassy in Iran and safely crossed the eastern land border into Turkmenistan on Tuesday, the ministry said.

All have passed through border checkpoints and are now on their way to Ashgabat. They are expected to return home or depart for a third destination Wednesday.

The evacuation came after the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran are escalating into a wider regional conflict, with neighboring countries like Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon joining the fray alongside their respective allies.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

It is going to be very interesting to see if this Board of Peace can actually accomplish the rebuilding of Gaza. It appears the funding will be there for reconstruction, but the real question is going to be who is going to disarm Hamas and provide security? You can’t rebuild anything until security is reestablished in Gaza:

 U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned South Korea among the countries that will join a fundraiser to support the reconstruction of the war-torn Gaza Strip, as he convened the first meeting of a new U.S.-led international peace organization in Washington on Thursday.

Trump referred to South Korea, the Philippines and other countries, which he said would contribute to the reconstruction efforts for the Palestinian enclave, during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, which was launched last month to promote peace efforts around the world.

“Japan has just committed to an aid fundraiser, which will be a very big one. It’s already successful. We know some of the numbers that are being talked about, which will be attended by other nations in the region, including South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore and others,” he said.

“China is going to be involved, and I think Russia is going to be involved,” he added.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

What is interesting about this latest school shooting was that the shooter was once again trans. Of course the media is not going to look into why there are so many trans shooters:

President Lee Jae Myung (2nd from L) attends a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul on Feb. 10, 2026. (Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday expressed condolences over a deadly school shooting in Canada, voicing hope that the country will heal from the tragedy.

“On behalf of the Republic of Korea, I convey my heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and to the people of Canada who are mourning this profound loss,” Lee wrote on the social platform X, using South Korea’s official name.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.