January 11, 2026 – South Korea Headlines

Story gist: South Korean President Lee stated that if civilian drones infiltrated North Korea, it constitutes a serious crime. He directed formation of a joint military-police investigation team.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Kyunghyang frame the story with breaking news urgency and full quote including investigation order, emphasizing accountability. Center sources like Policy Briefing neutrally report Defense Ministry’s response to North Korea’s statement, omitting president’s direct quote. Right-leaning outlets like Chosun highlight the ‘serious crime’ label, stressing punitive severity.

Story gist: No Sang-won stated that ‘Cha Bum-geun’ appeared in his notebook because it came to mind upon seeing Son Heung-min.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Hankyoreh highlights No Sang-won’s claim verbatim, emphasizing the notebook detail possibly to portray it as evasive or trivial. Center-leaning KBS focuses on President Yoon’s ‘insurrection leader’ sentencing delay to December 13, stressing his resolute quote ‘will end it unconditionally.’ Right-leaning outlets absent, omitting conservative framing of the trial or defense claims.

Story gist: Anti-government protests in Tehran, Iran, resulted in 65 deaths from live ammunition and increasing detentions of demonstrators. Iranian authorities stated that protecting security is a red line; a U.S.-based exiled Iranian crown prince commented.

Bias summary: Left-leaning MBC evokes sympathy via ‘탕탕’ gunfire sounds and 5·18 Gwangju parallels, speculates ‘Trump again?’ and highlights exiled crown prince support. Center KBS neutrally reports government ‘red line’ quote alongside rising detentions and deaths. Right-leaning Chosun Ilbo emphasizes graphic regime brutality with ‘corpses under live bullets’ and 65 anti-government protester deaths.

Story gist: Reuters reported the U.S. Supreme Court will not issue a ruling today on the Trump tariffs case. A decision may come as early as the 14th.

Bias summary: Left-leaning MBC emphasizes possible ruling by the 14th and White House confidence in ‘other means’ even if defeated. Center KBS highlights delay of ‘reciprocal tariff’ ruling while including White House reassurance. Right-leaning Chosun Ilbo neutrally repeats Reuters headline without dates, quotes, or reassurances, focusing solely on the postponement.

Story gist: Xiaomi used a selfie taken by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung with its phone during his state visit to China in successive promotional campaigns. The image gained attention amid discussions of Korea-China relations.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets absent, offering no perspective. Center outlets frame the event via President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit to China and full restoration of Korea-China relations, emphasizing diplomatic progress (Policy Briefing). Right-leaning outlets highlight Xiaomi’s promotional exploitation of the president’s selfie with sensational titles focusing on marketing buzz (Chosun Ilbo).