Why are South Koreans not having babies?

It has the lowest birth rate in the world and keeps plummeting. Today it hit 0.72.

I’ve travelled the country talking to women about this life-changing decision. This is what they told me 👇

bbc.com/news/world-asi…

Scoop: Russian classified papers describe a threshold for using tactical nuclear weapons that is lower than Russia has ever publicly admitted.

Leaked Russian military files reveal criteria for nuclear strike Financial Times ⁦max seddon⁩
⁦Chris Cook⁩ on.ft.com/3uOZUnh

SCOOP - Japanese Prime Minister #Kishida intensifying efforts to meet #KimJongUn - wants a deal with #NorthKorea over abducted Japanese to bolster his faltering premiership. Some secret talks via a Beijing channel.

(with Kana Inagaki & Christian Davies)
on.ft.com/3wjhbpi

Every once in a while I think about the insanity of HBR asking Seinfeld if McKinsey could have made him more efficient

Exclusive: SK Hynix has chosen a site in the state of Indiana for its new advanced packaging plant, in a move that will bring Nvidia a step closer to being able to produce its AI processors in the US:
ft.com/content/080fb8…

South Korea has registered a new low in its already faltering birth rate, beating its previous record. Many countries are witnessing a decline in birth rates but the country stands alone in just how bad things have become. on.ft.com/49cbZl5

Why the West needs a plan to deal with China's vast subsidies for foundational chips. My latest in the Financial Times

ft.com/content/2bd1c1…

There's a lot of talk about major inter-Korean risk at the moment.

But how does the level of tension compare to 2013, when global interest was MASSIVELY higher than it is now?

nknews.org/pro/is-current…

My Financial Times Big Read on the state of the Russo-Ukrainian war, as it nears the 3rd year of all-out warfare and the 11th year since Moscow began its invasion. Zelensky has declared a 'new phase,' while his military is changing to a strategy of 'active defense.' ft.com/content/d2f3b2…

Today, the ruling People Power Party recommended President Yoon Suk Yeol veto a special bill calling for a new probe into the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush.

Shortly after, bereaved family members had their heads shaved in protest in front of the presidential office.

🔋How Hyundai beat the locals in US EVs🔋

⚡Ignoring SUVs/trucks to focus on subcompacts

⚡Ground-up EV platforms

⚡ Hyundai/Kia overtake Ford & GM despite lack of IRA incentives

From Christian Davies, Song Jung-a & me:
ft.com/content/9b7ca6…

Global chaos has given Kim Jong Un a stronger hand, ⁦Christian Davies⁩ reports.

“He survived [Donald] Trump, he survived the sanctions and he survived the pandemic. Who in his position would not feel triumphant?”

on.ft.com/49wCt1Q

Multibillion-dollar South Korean arms deals at risk after Polish election ft.com/content/a157b0… via Christian Davies Raphael Minder

This has to be the best reader feedback I've ever received.

NEW: Survivors of the Seoul crowd crush are tormented by the lack of accountability - one year on.

Juhyun returns to the Itaewon alleyway regularly - determined to keep her memories alive until there is justice.

The crush paralysed her legs for months. bbc.co.uk/news/67203564

I had to check my recording to believe this. In the Asian Games Women's match between North and South Korea, North Korean TV graphics labeled South Korea as '괴뢰,' or 'puppets.' They beat them 4-1 and went on to thrash Uzbekistan 8-0. Final is Friday where they face Japan.

'The reopening will be limited ... why have Australian tourists, British aid workers or German diplomats hanging around seeing what they’re not supposed to see and asking difficult questions when you don’t need them?”

My latest for the FT:
ft.com/content/86e77a…

Even observers who want to see Yoon’s efforts succeed wonder if the unpopular gambit of an unpopular leader provides a sure enough foundation for lasting amity.

My latest column for the FT:
ft.com/content/73b274…

Delighted to see our visual investigation win best digital storytelling at Press Gazette’s future of media awards!

Hats off to Christian Davies Primrose Riordan Chan Ho-him Dan Clark Steven Bernard Caroline Nevitt Dan Stewart Irene de la Torre Arenas Justine Williams @[email protected] and team RUSI

Military shows quirky side with leopard print chairs at meeting on nuclear attack and invasion of South Korea