Haeyoon Kim 김혜윤
@haeyoonkim.bsky.social
Korea Tech & Trade Watch: https://koreattw.substack.com/
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Haeyoon Kim 김혜윤
@haeyoonkim.bsky.social
· Apr 14
Google vs. South Korea: The Long-Running Dispute Over Map Data
In February, Google once again requested detailed map data from South Korea’s National Geographic Information Institute, under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
koreattw.substack.com
Just launched Korea Tech & Trade Watch — a blog on tech, trade, and geopolitics in East Asia, with a focus on South Korea and Japan.
First post: the Google Maps dispute in Seoul — if you’ve ever tried getting around Korea with it, you’ll get it.
Hope you enjoy and stay tuned for more!
First post: the Google Maps dispute in Seoul — if you’ve ever tried getting around Korea with it, you’ll get it.
Hope you enjoy and stay tuned for more!
What being back home in Ulsan, South Korea 🇰🇷 looks like... 🚗🛻🚙🚢🛳️⛴️
November 26, 2025 at 12:00 AM
What being back home in Ulsan, South Korea 🇰🇷 looks like... 🚗🛻🚙🚢🛳️⛴️
"After the Europeans raised the steel tariffs on Mon, Lutnick responded by calling on the EU to 'analyze their digital rules, ... not put them away, but find a balanced approach ... then we will, together with them, handle the steel and aluminum issues and bring that on together,' he added."
The EU’s push for the U.S. to scrap its tariffs on steel and aluminum has opened the door to an old demand from Washington: Loosen your digital rulebook, and we’ll meet you halfway.
US demands digital concessions in return for EU steel tariff relief
Washington argues U.S. companies would invest more in the EU if it rolls back its digital rulebook.
www.politico.eu
November 25, 2025 at 10:05 AM
"After the Europeans raised the steel tariffs on Mon, Lutnick responded by calling on the EU to 'analyze their digital rules, ... not put them away, but find a balanced approach ... then we will, together with them, handle the steel and aluminum issues and bring that on together,' he added."
It’s been almost two weeks since the U.S.–South Korea joint fact sheet and MOU were released, and here’s my analysis on Korea Tech & Trade Watch — how it compares with Japan’s deal, where Korea fell short, and how Seoul is pacing implementation of the promised investments. Hope you enjoy reading!
U.S.-South Korea Joint Fact Sheet and MOU: It’s the Implementation, Stupid.
The U.S.-South Korea joint fact sheet on trade and security has been released, followed by a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining the investment package.
koreattw.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
It’s been almost two weeks since the U.S.–South Korea joint fact sheet and MOU were released, and here’s my analysis on Korea Tech & Trade Watch — how it compares with Japan’s deal, where Korea fell short, and how Seoul is pacing implementation of the promised investments. Hope you enjoy reading!
"The Trump administration has signaled in private talks that it could launch a Section 301 trade investigation if South Korea pursues legislation viewed as harmful to U.S. tech firms, even as the two nations move ahead with their new trade agreement."
POLITICO Pro: Trump admin to S Korea: We’ll launch trade investigation if you pursue digital regulations
Seoul has pledged not to disadvantage American tech firms in its domestic market, as the two countries continue to flesh out their trade agreement.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:55 PM
"The Trump administration has signaled in private talks that it could launch a Section 301 trade investigation if South Korea pursues legislation viewed as harmful to U.S. tech firms, even as the two nations move ahead with their new trade agreement."
A familiar play by China: "Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said... 'I would also like to emphasise that due to [Japanese] PM Takaichi’s recent actions... and her erroneous remarks on major issues such as Taiwan... there would be no market for Japanese seafood in the current climate...'"
China suspends seafood imports from Japan as Taiwan row escalates
Beijing reimposes 2023 ban, citing Japan PM’s comment that military would respond to Chinese attack on island
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:34 PM
A familiar play by China: "Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said... 'I would also like to emphasise that due to [Japanese] PM Takaichi’s recent actions... and her erroneous remarks on major issues such as Taiwan... there would be no market for Japanese seafood in the current climate...'"
Meanwhile, in Florida...
November 19, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Meanwhile, in Florida...
Reposted by Haeyoon Kim 김혜윤
Japan’s economy shrinks as US tariffs weigh on exports on.ft.com/49nN29D
Japan’s economy shrinks as US tariffs weigh on exports
Weakness to bolster Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s case for further stimulus to support struggling households
on.ft.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Japan’s economy shrinks as US tariffs weigh on exports on.ft.com/49nN29D
So Chinese diplomats can call for a Japanese PM’s head to be cut off now?
"On Saturday, Xue Jian, China's consul general in... Osaka, reshared a news article about Takaichi's parliamentary remarks on X. But he also added his own comment that 'the dirty head that sticks itself in must be cut off.'"
"On Saturday, Xue Jian, China's consul general in... Osaka, reshared a news article about Takaichi's parliamentary remarks on X. But he also added his own comment that 'the dirty head that sticks itself in must be cut off.'"
China and Japan in escalating spat over Taiwan: What to know
Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi had suggested Tokyo could take military action if Beijing attacked Taiwan.
www.bbc.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:15 AM
So Chinese diplomats can call for a Japanese PM’s head to be cut off now?
"On Saturday, Xue Jian, China's consul general in... Osaka, reshared a news article about Takaichi's parliamentary remarks on X. But he also added his own comment that 'the dirty head that sticks itself in must be cut off.'"
"On Saturday, Xue Jian, China's consul general in... Osaka, reshared a news article about Takaichi's parliamentary remarks on X. But he also added his own comment that 'the dirty head that sticks itself in must be cut off.'"
"The US and the ROK commit to ensure that US companies are not discriminated against and do not face unnecessary barriers in terms of laws and policies concerning digital services, including network usage fees and online platform regulations, and to facilitate cross-border transfer of data..."
November 14, 2025 at 2:47 PM
"The US and the ROK commit to ensure that US companies are not discriminated against and do not face unnecessary barriers in terms of laws and policies concerning digital services, including network usage fees and online platform regulations, and to facilitate cross-border transfer of data..."
"The MOU also says the agreement is an administrative understanding between Seoul and Washington, which does *not* create legally binding rights or obligations."
(3rd LD) S. Korea, U.S. sign MOU on US$350 bln investment pledge under trade deal: ministry | Yonhap News Agency
(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 9, 16-17) By Kim Na-young SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- Sout...
en.yna.co.kr
November 14, 2025 at 12:56 PM
"The MOU also says the agreement is an administrative understanding between Seoul and Washington, which does *not* create legally binding rights or obligations."
U.S.-South Korea Joint Fact Sheet:
Joint Fact Sheet on President Donald J. Trump’s Meeting with President Lee Jae Myung
President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea (ROK) welcomed President Donald J. Trump of the United States of America (United States or U.S.) for a
www.whitehouse.gov
November 14, 2025 at 1:46 AM
U.S.-South Korea Joint Fact Sheet:
Reposted by Haeyoon Kim 김혜윤
"China’s Purchases of US Soybeans Stall Despite Trade Truce" 😲 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
November 12, 2025 at 12:06 PM
"China’s Purchases of US Soybeans Stall Despite Trade Truce" 😲 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Update:
"The Korean government has postponed its decision on whether to allow Google to export the country's high-resolution map data, delaying the review for a third time... has instructed Google to submit a revised application by Feb. 5 next year, after which a final decision will be made."
"The Korean government has postponed its decision on whether to allow Google to export the country's high-resolution map data, delaying the review for a third time... has instructed Google to submit a revised application by Feb. 5 next year, after which a final decision will be made."
November 11, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Update:
"The Korean government has postponed its decision on whether to allow Google to export the country's high-resolution map data, delaying the review for a third time... has instructed Google to submit a revised application by Feb. 5 next year, after which a final decision will be made."
"The Korean government has postponed its decision on whether to allow Google to export the country's high-resolution map data, delaying the review for a third time... has instructed Google to submit a revised application by Feb. 5 next year, after which a final decision will be made."
U.S.–S Korea Joint Fact Sheet delayed as security language, incl. nuclear-powered subs, is refined. A Presidential Office official says leaders assumed related infrastructure would be built in Korea; his notes quote President Lee, “We will build it here,” contradicting Trump’s Philly shipyard claim.
대통령실 “한국서 원잠 선체 건조... 李·트럼프 논의된 내용”
대통령실 한국서 원잠 선체 건조... 李·트럼프 논의된 내용 한·미 팩트시트, 안보 분야 문안 조정으로 지연 원자력협정·동맹현대화 등 여러 사안 포함 美 유관 부서 리뷰 과정 인내심 갖고 관찰하겠다
www.chosun.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:49 PM
U.S.–S Korea Joint Fact Sheet delayed as security language, incl. nuclear-powered subs, is refined. A Presidential Office official says leaders assumed related infrastructure would be built in Korea; his notes quote President Lee, “We will build it here,” contradicting Trump’s Philly shipyard claim.
Reposted by Haeyoon Kim 김혜윤
After Wednesday’s oral arguments in the Supreme Court about Trump’s tariffs, Jack Goldsmith thinks a majority of the court will be very worried about “giving a president basically unconstrained tariff authority to raise revenue that Congress as a practical matter cannot reverse,” he says.
Opinion | Why It Will Be Hard for Five Justices to Bless Trump’s Tariffs
The problem with giving any president basically unconstrained authority to raise revenue via tariffs.
nyti.ms
November 6, 2025 at 1:10 AM
After Wednesday’s oral arguments in the Supreme Court about Trump’s tariffs, Jack Goldsmith thinks a majority of the court will be very worried about “giving a president basically unconstrained tariff authority to raise revenue that Congress as a practical matter cannot reverse,” he says.
Reposted by Haeyoon Kim 김혜윤
argument over; i still think the most likely outcome is scotus invalidates the tariffs - at minimum the reciprocal ones.
November 5, 2025 at 5:47 PM
argument over; i still think the most likely outcome is scotus invalidates the tariffs - at minimum the reciprocal ones.
Reposted by Haeyoon Kim 김혜윤
Win or lose at the Supreme Court, Trump has other tariff tools at his disposal.
"Get used to tariffs regardless of Supreme Court decision", U.S. treasury secretary says.
www.cbc.ca/news/world/u...
"Get used to tariffs regardless of Supreme Court decision", U.S. treasury secretary says.
www.cbc.ca/news/world/u...
The tariff pressures Trump can apply if he loses in Supreme Court ruling | CBC News
The U.S. Supreme Court takes on a major case on Wednesday when it decides if President Donald Trump has the authority to use a law usually cited in emergencies for the imposition of tariffs on other c...
www.cbc.ca
November 4, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Win or lose at the Supreme Court, Trump has other tariff tools at his disposal.
"Get used to tariffs regardless of Supreme Court decision", U.S. treasury secretary says.
www.cbc.ca/news/world/u...
"Get used to tariffs regardless of Supreme Court decision", U.S. treasury secretary says.
www.cbc.ca/news/world/u...
Following Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s visit to South Korea and his pledge to supply 260,000 GPUs, Trump says: “The most advanced [chips], we will not let anybody have them other than the United States.”
Trump says Nvidia's Blackwell AI chip not for 'other people'
Nvidia's advanced Blackwell chip for artificial intelligence would not be available to "other people," U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday.
www.reuters.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Following Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s visit to South Korea and his pledge to supply 260,000 GPUs, Trump says: “The most advanced [chips], we will not let anybody have them other than the United States.”
Update on China’s Hanwha Ocean sanctions: "China will remove measures it took in retaliation for the U.S.’s announcement of a Section 301 investigation on China’s Targeting the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance, and remove sanctions imposed on various shipping entities."
Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Strikes Deal on Economic and Trade Relations with China
REBALANCING TRADE WITH CHINA: This week in the Republic of Korea, President Donald J. Trump reached a trade and economic deal with President Xi Jinping of
www.whitehouse.gov
November 2, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Update on China’s Hanwha Ocean sanctions: "China will remove measures it took in retaliation for the U.S.’s announcement of a Section 301 investigation on China’s Targeting the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance, and remove sanctions imposed on various shipping entities."
China-South Korea Summit after APEC in Gyeongju:
Despite Beijing’s sanctions on Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean and Washington’s green light for South Korea to build nuclear-powered submarines to better track Chinese and North Korean ones, the China–South Korea summit was surprisingly cordial.
Despite Beijing’s sanctions on Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean and Washington’s green light for South Korea to build nuclear-powered submarines to better track Chinese and North Korean ones, the China–South Korea summit was surprisingly cordial.
Korea and China sign 70 trillion won won–yuan swap, restore full diplomatic ties
Korea and China sign 70 trillion won won–yuan swap, restore full diplomatic ties South Korea and China agree to deepen economic ties with expanded financial and trade cooperation
biz.chosun.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:26 PM
China-South Korea Summit after APEC in Gyeongju:
Despite Beijing’s sanctions on Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean and Washington’s green light for South Korea to build nuclear-powered submarines to better track Chinese and North Korean ones, the China–South Korea summit was surprisingly cordial.
Despite Beijing’s sanctions on Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean and Washington’s green light for South Korea to build nuclear-powered submarines to better track Chinese and North Korean ones, the China–South Korea summit was surprisingly cordial.
A slap in the face at the first meeting:
"Xi said, 'The two countries should be partners in cooperation, not threats to each other,' and added, 'We should widely promote the spirit of the Murayama Statement, which reflected on the history of aggression and apologized to victimized countries.'"
"Xi said, 'The two countries should be partners in cooperation, not threats to each other,' and added, 'We should widely promote the spirit of the Murayama Statement, which reflected on the history of aggression and apologized to victimized countries.'"
Xi urges Takaichi to reflect on wartime aggression, calls for China-Japan cooperation
Xi urges Takaichi to reflect on wartime aggression, calls for China-Japan cooperation Xi urges Takaichi to reflect on wartime aggression while seeking stable China‑Japan ties
biz.chosun.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:06 PM
A slap in the face at the first meeting:
"Xi said, 'The two countries should be partners in cooperation, not threats to each other,' and added, 'We should widely promote the spirit of the Murayama Statement, which reflected on the history of aggression and apologized to victimized countries.'"
"Xi said, 'The two countries should be partners in cooperation, not threats to each other,' and added, 'We should widely promote the spirit of the Murayama Statement, which reflected on the history of aggression and apologized to victimized countries.'"
Reposted by Haeyoon Kim 김혜윤
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang is visiting South Korea to strengthen partnerships with Samsung, Hyundai, SK, and Naver, unveiling plans for AI-powered networks and next-generation intelligent systems.
Nvidia expands AI ties with Hyundai, Samsung, SK, Naver | TechCrunch
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang is visiting South Korea to strengthen partnerships with Samsung, Hyundai, SK, and Naver, unveiling plans for AI-powered networks and next-generation intelligent systems.
techcrunch.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:33 PM
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang is visiting South Korea to strengthen partnerships with Samsung, Hyundai, SK, and Naver, unveiling plans for AI-powered networks and next-generation intelligent systems.
Reposted by Haeyoon Kim 김혜윤
Worth noting:
Trump and Xi met at the airport in South Korea when Trump was LEAVING APEC, and Xi ARRIVED to attend APEC summit.
Trump and Xi met at the airport in South Korea when Trump was LEAVING APEC, and Xi ARRIVED to attend APEC summit.
October 30, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Worth noting:
Trump and Xi met at the airport in South Korea when Trump was LEAVING APEC, and Xi ARRIVED to attend APEC summit.
Trump and Xi met at the airport in South Korea when Trump was LEAVING APEC, and Xi ARRIVED to attend APEC summit.
Update: After U.S. Commerce Sec. Lutnick claimed on X that “semiconductor tariffs are not part of this [U.S.–Korea] deal,” Korea’s policy chief Kim called it “political messaging (정치인의 언어)” aimed at U.S. voters. He said a joint fact sheet will cover chip tariffs, “no less favorable than Taiwan’s.”
김용범 "美 '관세협상 반도체 제외' 발언은 정치적 언어" 일축 | 한국일보
한미 반도체 관세 협상 관련해 김용범 정책실장은 미국 발언을 정치적 수사로 일축하며, 협상문에 반도체 관련 문구가 포함되어 대만보다 불리하지 않은 조건이 반영된다고 밝혔습니다.
www.hankookilbo.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Update: After U.S. Commerce Sec. Lutnick claimed on X that “semiconductor tariffs are not part of this [U.S.–Korea] deal,” Korea’s policy chief Kim called it “political messaging (정치인의 언어)” aimed at U.S. voters. He said a joint fact sheet will cover chip tariffs, “no less favorable than Taiwan’s.”
Reposted by Haeyoon Kim 김혜윤
October 30, 2025 at 1:01 AM