January 6, 2026 – South Korea Headlines

Story gist: South Korean President declared this the inaugural year for restoring Korea-China relations, with Chinese President Xi Jinping responding that they laid the foundation for a new era. Over 600 business leaders from both countries gathered, and gifts including traditional accessories and K-beauty items were given to Xi’s wife Peng Liyuan.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Hankyoreh emphasize presidents’ positive diplomatic statements on relational restoration and new era foundations. Center sources such as Daum focus on economic ties, highlighting 600 business leaders including chaebol heads and battery executives. Right-leaning Munhwa Ilbo spotlights cultural gifts to Xi’s wife like ‘Ttamhwa Norigae’ and K-beauty, teasing what was given to Xi.

Story gist: Former U.S. President Donald Trump warned of a secondary attack on Venezuela if it does not act properly. Colombia’s president stated readiness to arm if threatened, amid U.S. discussions on ousting Nicolás Maduro.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets frame Trump’s statements as ‘ambition’ or ‘greed’ extending to Greenland and Colombia, emphasizing imperialistic expansion. Center outlets neutrally highlight Colombia’s president’s guerrilla background and arming threat against U.S. intervention. Right-leaning outlets portray Trump revealing ‘true colors’ via Venezuela attack warnings, stressing aggressive posture. All lanes critical of Trump but differ in emphasis on U.S. motives versus foreign defiance.

Story gist: South Korean First Lady Kim Hye-kyung met Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan. Kim remarked that a fusion dish of Korean tteokguk and Chinese mandu, called tteok-mandu-guk, turns out particularly well.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Hankyoreh titles with Kim’s direct quote on the fusion dish, neutrally highlighting her cultural remark. Center KBS emphasizes the first ladies’ warm meeting, focusing on Peng’s ‘I’m a fan’ comment and cordial exchange. Right-leaning outlets absent, providing no conservative framing or coverage of the event.

Story gist: Lee Hye-hoon, South Korea’s planning and budget minister nominee, declared assets of 17.57 billion won, an increase of 11 billion won over the past decade. Her husband owns a Porsche Panamera.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Hankyoreh highlights 10 billion won in unlisted stocks and Lee’s blind trust explanation post-National Assembly, implying scrutiny. Center Yonhap neutrally states total assets declared by the nominee. Right-leaning outlets absent, providing no coverage of the asset increase or nomination.

Story gist: The United States conducted airstrikes in Venezuela targeting President Nicolás Maduro’s regime. International figures including Turkish President Erdogan criticized the action as a violation of international law.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Kyunghyang frames US action as shocking invasion evoking past dread, highlighting fearful regime and lack of street cheers, with anti-intervention tone. Center Yonhap neutrally reports Erdogan’s criticism calling it illegal and Maduro a friend. Right-leaning coverage absent; such outlets likely emphasize pro-US stance or Maduro’s authoritarianism, perspective missing.