4. Turbulence: Korean Peninsula situation

The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2397 to further tighten sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in response to its ballistic missile launch late in November. Until then, the DPRK had been sanction four times in 2017, however, this still could not change the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Nevertheless, the Republic of Korea's presidential office welcomed the New Year address by Kim Jong-un, top leader of Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as Kim showed his willingness to talk with Seoul about the DPRK's possible participation in the 2018 Winter Olympics to be held in the Republic of Korea.