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Edition of Thursday, 29 October 2026English edition
The Geopolitician

Country risk, from the local press

South Korea · Country watch

Samsung SDI Profits, Diesel Export Eased

Samsung SDI reports profit surge; South Korea eases diesel export limits, impacting energy and manufacturing sectors.

The picture Improving How this is judged →

Business conditions in South Korea are improving with Samsung SDI's profit boost and eased diesel export restrictions, benefiting energy and manufacturing sectors.

Flare-up watch: Calm (0.5) · How this is judged → · All South Korea briefings →

In this briefing Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of South Korea · South Korea · Samsung SDI · Samsung Group · Joint Chiefs of Staff (South Korea) · United States Armed Forces

Regulation

  • Energy
  • Manufacturing

South Korea to ease diesel export restrictions

A large red tanker ship sails on the ocean
Artan / Unsplash

South Korea will ease diesel export restrictions starting in November, conditional on stable domestic supply, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced Thursday. The government will allow diesel exports of up to 110% of the volume recorded in the same month last year, up from the current cap of 100%. The decision aims to balance domestic needs with export opportunities amid stable crude supplies, according to Korea.net.

Impact Diesel exporters gain increased export capacity, potentially boosting revenues.

Sources: Korea.net ↗, The Korea Herald ↗

Companies

  • Technology
  • Manufacturing

Samsung SDI returns to profit with battery demand

Samsung SDI reported an operating profit of 407.8 billion won ($285 million) for Q3 2026, reversing a loss of 591.3 billion won a year earlier, driven by strong demand for energy storage systems and small batteries for AI data centers, Korea.net reports. The company's performance highlights the growing market for energy solutions and AI infrastructure, according to The Korea Herald.

Impact Samsung SDI's profitability boosts investor confidence in the technology and manufacturing sectors.

Sources: Korea.net ↗, The Korea Herald ↗

  • Defence

South Korea, US conduct joint military drills

South Korea and the United States conducted a tabletop military exercise to integrate conventional and nuclear capabilities, aimed at deterring North Korean threats, officials said Thursday. The Iron Mace exercise took place at the Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters in Seoul from September 29 to October 2, according to The Korea Herald. The drills emphasized the allies' commitment to regional security.

Impact Defence contractors and military suppliers may see increased demand due to strengthened military cooperation.

Sources: The Korea Herald ↗, Korea.net ↗

Nothing significant reported today in Disruption · Internal tension · Safety & health · Markets · Trade · Politics.

Also today in the local press

Sources in this briefing

Sources: each headline links to the original article on the publisher's site.

All South Korea briefings →

The same day elsewhere