[Robert J. Fouser] 2025: A year of testing and triumph

For South Korea, one word sums up 2025: resilience. The year opened with an impeached president and prime minister, rising social anxiety and an economic slump. It ended with a new president, renewed confidence and a recovering economy. The positive turn of events over the past year prompted The Economist to list South Korea among the contenders for its annual “country of the year” designation for the country that has improved the most in 2025. How did South Korea do it? And what does it mean fo