#Protectionism

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economy2026.03.01

Hydrogen vs. Cars: 5 Decisive Reasons the ₩60 Trillion Canada Submarine Bid Escalated into a Korea–Germany 'National Battle'

As Hyundai Motor Group plays the hydrogen fuel cell infrastructure card in the Canada Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) worth up to ₩60 trillion, Germany pre-emptively signed an EV and battery MOU with Canada, escalating the bid into a 'defense + industrial package' showdown. An analysis of Korea's decisive moves ahead of the March final proposal submission.

ProtectionismGlobal EconomyEconomic Analysis

tech2026.03.01

After 19 Years of Waiting: Google Maps Navigation Finally Opens in Korea — 5 Meanings of the Conditional High-Precision Map Export Approval

On February 27, 2026, the South Korean government conditionally approved Google's export of 1:5,000 high-precision map data. The first such decision since Google's initial request in 2007, it is expected to enable fully functional Google Maps navigation for foreign tourists and global users.

2026TrendsGlobalCommerceProtectionism

tech2026.02.28

The Door Opened After 19 Years: South Korea Conditionally Approves Google Maps High-Precision Map Export — What Changes Now

On February 27, 2026, the South Korean government conditionally allowed the overseas export of Google's 1:5,000 high-precision maps — a request it had refused for 19 years. US-Korea tariff negotiations were the decisive trigger, and the move is expected to shake up Naver and Kakao's mapping industry while improving convenience for foreign tourists.

2026TrendsProtectionismGlobalCommerce

general2026.02.28

Geneva Round 3 Ends Without a Deal: 5 Reasons the US-Iran Nuclear Talks Failed to End the War Crisis Despite 'Significant Progress'

The third round of US-Iran nuclear talks held in Geneva, Switzerland on February 26, 2026 concluded without an agreement. Oman's Foreign Minister declared 'significant progress,' but Iran's insistence on uranium enrichment rights and the US demand for permanent nuclear limits left the risk of military conflict unresolved.

Geoeconomic FragmentationGlobal Economic OutlookGlobal Economy

business2026.02.28

The Price of Losing the ₩8 Trillion Orca: 5 Reasons Poland Rejected the Free Transfer of the Jangbogo Submarine

The Korean government offered to transfer the Navy's first submarine, the Jangbogo, free of charge to secure Poland's ₩8 trillion Orca submarine project, but Poland officially delivered its rejection this month. After Poland selected Sweden's Saab, the approximately ₩80 billion maintenance cost burden became the decisive obstacle, exposing the limits of Korea's defense diplomacy strategy.

International TradeEconomic Analysis2026Trends

tech2026.02.27

A Historic Decision 19 Years in the Making: 5 Shockwaves South Korea's Approval of Google's High-Precision Map Export Delivers to Naver, Kakao, and National Security

On February 27, 2026, the South Korean government granted conditional approval for Google to export high-precision map data (1:5,000) — a request it had refused for 19 years. Conditioned on five security requirements including blurring of military facilities, coordinate restrictions, and domestic server processing, this decision marks a sharp choice between easing US-Korea trade pressure and preserving digital sovereignty.

aiAI TrendsGlobalCommerce

business2026.02.27

The 97% Shock and a 4-Minute Apology: 5 Truths Coupang's Earnings Told on the Day Bom Kim Finally Spoke

Coupang Inc. Chairman Bom Kim issued his first verbal public apology on February 26, 2026 over the personal data breach. The Q4 2025 earnings released the same day — a 97% collapse in operating profit and a ₩37.7 billion net loss — laid bare the full impact of the data incident.

RetailTrendsBrandStrategyMacroeconomic Analysis

business2026.02.27

7 Hours in the Courtroom: 5 Bombshells Coupang CEO Rogers' U.S. House Testimony Drops on the Korea-U.S. Trade War

Coupang's interim Korean CEO Harold Rogers completed 7 hours of closed-door testimony before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on February 23 (local time). With House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan and Vice President JD Vance joining the fray, the Coupang issue has emerged as a new flashpoint in Korea-U.S. trade tensions, and the possibility of invoking Section 301 of the Trade Act has become a reality.

ProtectionismGlobal Supply ChainEconomic Analysis

tech2026.02.27

19 Years in the Making: South Korea Moves to Conditionally Approve Google's High-Precision Map Export — Naver and Kakao's Map Throne Is Shaking

After 19 years of national security-based rejections, the South Korean government is moving to conditionally approve Google's request to export high-precision map data (1:5,000 scale). Driven by U.S. pressure to dismantle non-tariff barriers, this landmark decision is poised to upend the domestic map service market long monopolized by Naver and Kakao.

ProtectionismGlobalCommerce2026Trends

economy2026.02.27

The End of Reciprocal Tariffs? 3 Inflection Points for Korea's Exports After the U.S. Supreme Court's IEEPA Ruling and Trump's Section 122 Pivot

On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down IEEPA-based reciprocal tariffs in a 6-3 ruling. Trump immediately imposed a 15% temporary surcharge on all imports under Section 122, leaving Korean exporters facing both a tariff refund opportunity and a new wave of trade uncertainty.

ProtectionismGlobal Supply ChainInternational Trade

economy2026.02.26

A Divided America After 108 Minutes: 3 Key Variables Trump's Record-Breaking SOTU Poses for Korea

U.S. President Trump declared 'America's Golden Age' in a record-breaking 108-minute State of the Union address on February 24, 2026. Delivered just days after a court ruling struck down tariffs as unconstitutional, the speech signaled his intent to push ahead with new tariffs — with direct implications for Korea's exports, trade, and energy security heading into the 2026 midterms.

ProtectionismGlobal EconomyEconomic Analysis

business2026.02.26

Betrayal of 33.67 Million: Why Coupang's Q4 2025 Earnings Release Is Under the Spotlight Amid the Data Breach Fallout

Coupang Inc. is set to release its Q4 2025 earnings in the early hours of February 27 (Korea time). While the company is expected to surpass ₩50 trillion in annual revenue for the first time, the 'de-Coupang' movement following the 33.67 million-record data breach and surging competitor MAUs have emerged as the biggest wildcards.

RetailTrendsEconomic AnalysisGlobal Economy