PRISM Weekly Digest: First Week of January 2026

PRISM Weekly Digest

First Week of January 2026 (Jan 1–4)

"The New Year Begins with Seismic Shifts"

📌 EDITOR'S PICK

1. Trump's Gambit: The Capture of Maduro and the Pandora's Box It Opens

The first chapter of 2026 opened with a shock. In the early hours of January 3, the Trump administration executed "Operation Absolute Resolve," capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a military operation involving 150 aircraft. It will be recorded as one of the most aggressive moments in 21st-century American foreign policy.

Why now? On the surface, it's about restoring democracy. In substance, it's about oil. Securing control over Venezuela—home to the world's largest proven oil reserves—has been a cornerstone of the Trump administration's energy independence strategy. The immediate announcement of a "transitional government" and "direct U.S. oversight" makes this unmistakably clear.

The real war starts now. Military success does not guarantee political success. Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya—history has repeatedly demonstrated the chaos that follows "smash and grab" operations. Russia and China have already voiced strong opposition, and solidarity movements among Latin American leftist governments are emerging. Who will fill the power vacuum inside Venezuela? The U.S. now owns the outcome.

2. Cha Jun-hwan: From Injury to History—The Significance of Three Consecutive Olympics

January 4, Mokdong Ice Rink, Seoul. Cha Jun-hwan won the men's singles at the 80th Korea National Figure Skating Championships, securing his spot for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The skater, often called Korea's only hope in figure skating since Kim Yuna, will compete in his third consecutive Olympics following PyeongChang (2018) and Beijing (2022).

Beyond the numbers. This is more than a participation record. Cha battled injuries throughout last season, missing the Grand Prix series due to an ankle injury and showing inconsistent form in his comeback events. Delivering a clean performance at the trials is a testament to eight years of mental fortitude.

What the Milan-bound roster tells us. The finalized national team roster reflects the current state of Korean figure skating: Shin Ji-a and Lee Hae-in in women's singles, Cha Jun-hwan and Kim Hyun-kyum in men's singles—a mix of veterans and rising stars. Notably, Shin Ji-a will compete at the Olympics in her senior debut season, signaling that Korea's generational transition in figure skating is now underway.

🌐 THE BIG PICTURE

"The Twilight of Offline, The Sprint of Digital"

One keyword runs through this week's economic headlines: Transition.

What's disappearing. South Korea's retail sales index for large supermarkets dropped 14.1% year-over-year—the steepest decline in 13 years. E-Mart, Lotte Mart, Homeplus—names that once dominated the retail kingdom are now struggling against Coupang and Kurly. Across the sea in Japan, even more sobering statistics emerged: small bars known as "snack bars" are projected to decline by 60% by 2050. An aging population is erasing even urban nightlife.

What's rising. That same week, Naver announced it had surpassed 60% market share in South Korea's search market. After years of losing ground to Google, Naver has made a striking comeback, powered by its AI search feature "Cue:". Meanwhile, Japan's government announced plans to deploy AI robots in shipbuilding to overcome its skilled labor shortage through technology.

And the paradox. In an age where everything converges toward digital, there exists a knife you must wait three years to purchase: the "Nenohi" artisan kitchen knife from Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. With star chefs around the world lining up, this knife demonstrates the viability of a "hyper-premium artisan economy" on the opposite end of mass production.

⚡ QUICK HITS

Key Headlines by Category

👀 WEEK AHEAD

Events to Watch

Monday, January 6

• U.S. Congress emergency hearing on Venezuela situation
• CES 2026 kicks off in Las Vegas — Major AI & robotics unveilings expected

Wednesday, January 8

• Bank of Korea Monetary Policy Board — Interest rate decision
• Netflix anime 'Love Through a Prism' manga serialization begins (Shonen Jump+)

Friday, January 10

• China December CPI/PPI release — Deflation concerns in focus
• 2026 Milan Winter Olympics D-30

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PRISM Weekly Digest is published every Monday.