Politics · South Korea · 6 hrs ago
Democrats’ midterm gains leave South Korea facing uncertainty with US
Democrats won control of both chambers of the US Congress in the midterm elections, dealing a setback to President Donald Trump.
The result has left South Korea uncertain about its dealings with Washington, where Trump has pressed Seoul on trade, investment and security.
Key issues include South Korea’s plans for nuclear-powered submarines and expanded rights to process nuclear fuel, as well as its investment commitments in the US.
Progress on several security commitments has been slow, with a planned second round of consultations on nuclear cooperation not yet scheduled.
A Democrat-controlled Congress could increase oversight, but it is unclear how the election will affect cooperation or Trump’s policies.
Seoul says it will keep consulting the US administration and Congress and reach out to lawmakers as the new legislature takes shape.
The South Korean government says it wants to make progress on the agreements as soon as possible, while the talks continue.
Democrats won control of both chambers of the US Congress in the midterm elections, raising questions in Seoul about the future of key bilateral issues.
South Korea’s foreign ministry said it would continue working with the US administration and Congress regardless of the change in congressional control.
Analysts cited by The Straits Times said the result was unlikely to ease pressure on the alliance and could add uncertainty to relations.
Issues include trade and investment, nuclear cooperation, South Korea’s submarine plans and wartime command arrangements.
- Who
- South Korea’s government and the United States.
- What
- Seoul says it will continue consultations after Democrats won both chambers of Congress; analysts say the result may not ease pressure on the alliance.
- When
- The midterm results were announced on Nov. 4, 2026; the articles were published on Nov. 5.
- Where
- The United States and South Korea.
- Why
- The change in congressional control raised questions about the progress of bilateral economic, trade and security issues.
South Korean government
Analysts cited by The Straits Times
Effect of election result
South Korean government
Seoul says it will continue working with the US administration and Congress regardless of congressional control.
Analysts cited by The Straits Times
The result is unlikely to ease pressure on the alliance and may add uncertainty.
Lee Jae Myung and Donald Trump agreed to work toward expanding South Korea’s rights to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel.
The first working-level meeting on the bilateral security commitments was held in Seoul after being postponed.
Lee and Trump met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the US midterm elections.
South Korea’s foreign ministry said it would continue consultations with the US administration and Congress.
- Congress
- Democrats won both the House and Senate
- Trade deal
- South Korea committed US$350 billion in US investments
- Tariffs
- US tariffs on Korean goods were lowered from 25 per cent to 15 per cent under the 2025 deal
- Nuclear fuel-cycle talks
- The first working-level meeting was held in Seoul in June
- Submarine plan
- Washington approved South Korea’s plan to build nuclear-powered attack submarines
7 sources
“영 김, 이재명 정부랑 안 맞아”… 외교 공간 좁히는 대통령 특보의 입
(2nd LD) Cheong Wa Dae says U.S. midterm results unlikely to affect S. Korea-U.S. alliance
Why US midterm results may bring little relief for South Korea
韓총리 "美민주당도 동맹 중시…한미관계 큰 변화 없을 것"
What people are saying
We will continue consultations with the U.S. administration, as well as Congress and state governments, to ensure that our companies' investment activities in the U.S. proceed smoothly.
there are no assurances that he would keep South Korea involved or take its interests into account