In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha examine how global policy shifts are closing South Korea’s room for neutrality.

They begin with China’s Orders 61 and 62, sweeping export-control measures that extend Beijing’s authority to overseas manufacturers and leave South Korean firms trapped between competing U.S. and Chinese trade laws.

Next, they turn to Japan, where Sanae Takaichi’s victory in the Liberal Democratic Party leadership race sets the stage for her likely confirmation as prime minister on Oct. 15, testing the stability of Seoul-Tokyo relations just as cooperation had solidified.

Finally, the team analyzes Europe’s proposed steel quota cuts and 50% tariffs, which mirror Washington’s protectionism and squeeze Korean mills out of major Western markets amid China’s export glut.

They close by previewing next week’s developments — Japan’s prime ministerial election and the resumption of South Korea’s parliamentary audits following the Chuseok holidays.

About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday.

This episode was recorded on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.

Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson