January 7, 2026 – South Korea Headlines

Story gist: Chinese President Xi Jinping asked South Korean President Lee about the taste of Beijing jjajangmyeon during a meeting. Lee replied it has a healthier taste than in Korea.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Hankyoreh frame the story with the light-hearted food exchange anecdote in the headline, emphasizing personal rapport. Center outlets like Policy Briefing focus on President Lee’s successive meetings with Chinese leaders, highlighting discussions on political trust and livelihood cooperation. Right-leaning coverage absent, leaving conservative perspectives on Korea-China diplomacy unrepresented.

Story gist: Denmark warned that any attack on Greenland amid U.S. President Trump’s threats would end NATO. Seven European countries issued a joint statement affirming the issue is for Denmark and Greenland to decide.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Hankyoreh frames Denmark’s response as bold counterfire to Trump’s ‘blackmail,’ using dramatic language emphasizing confrontation. Center Daum highlights multilateral European restraint and sovereignty, neutrally noting countries ‘checking’ Trump. Right-leaning Dong-A Ilbo’s opinion piece mocks the situation by linking Greenland to Colombia claims, downplaying seriousness and portraying it as leftist overreaction.

Story gist: Sixty-eight Democratic Party lawmakers in South Korea stated the U.S. military operation in Venezuela threatens international peace. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Miller described the intervention as a military operation amid UN Security Council divisions.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Hankyoreh emphasize Democratic lawmakers’ strong criticism of U.S. actions as a peace threat, amplifying anti-U.S. voices. Center outlets like Newsis neutrally report White House official’s confirmation of military intervention. Right-leaning Dong-A Ilbo highlights UN Security Council split, balancing U.S.-UK ‘legitimate enforcement’ claims against China-Russia ‘neo-colonialism’ accusations; left omits pro-U.S. perspectives.

Story gist: South Korean politician Song Eon-seok criticized the government for failing to disburse defense budget funds, calling it the ‘Lee Jae-myung government’ and urging it to ‘get its act together.’ The government stated some unspent 2025 expenditure budget items will be executed this week.

Bias summary: Left-leaning MBC amplifies Song Eon-seok’s sharp criticism with the provocative title framing the government as ‘Lee Jae-myung’s,’ emphasizing controversy. Center outlet Policy Briefing highlights government’s reassuring response on timely budget execution, downplaying the issue. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting potential amplification of opposition attacks on government competence.

Story gist: South Korean politician Lee Hye-hoon stated she will pursue fiscal expansion to align with government policy. She described it as her final mission in public office amid various suspicions.

Bias summary: Left-leaning MBC frames Lee Hye-hoon’s policy shift positively as confronting suspicions head-on and fulfilling her ‘last mission.’ Center outlet Daum skeptically questions her motives using the ‘dead cat’ idiom, implying distraction. Right-leaning Chosun Ilbo emphasizes her ‘sudden U-turn’ from austerity, highlighting hypocrisy and alignment with government.