Latest news in South Korea? September 11th, 2026

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was acquitted by the Seoul Central District Court in a trial related to a marine’s drowning death and the subsequent diplomatic appointment of a former defense minister, marking a rare legal reprieve amid his ongoing post-presidency trials. In foreign affairs, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a telephone discussion with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, regarding the security situation in the Strait of Hormuz following US pressure on Seoul to contribute to the waterway’s security, which has drawn sharp warnings from Tehran and domestic protests. On the economic front, the finance ministry released its monthly economic report indicating a solid recovery driven by robust semiconductor exports, though it highlighted rising oil price pressures and Middle East geopolitical uncertainties. Additionally, South Korea enacted stricter industrial espionage and spy laws taking effect this week aimed at protecting advanced semiconductor manufacturing secrets from foreign leaks.