Energy Security in South Korean News Media During International Conflicts: A Text Mining and Semantic Network Analysis

This study examines how energy security was represented in South Korean news media during the Russia–Ukraine War and the U.S.–Iran War. Although not a direct party to either conflict, South Korea is a relevant third-country case due to its high dependence on imported energy and vulnerability to global energy disruptions. A total of 24,368 South Korean news articles collected over approximately five months following each conflict were analyzed using text mining and semantic network analysis, including TF-IDF, degree centrality, and CONCOR analysis. During the Russia–Ukraine War, news coverage focused on Russia, Ukraine, the United States, nuclear power, supply chains, and economic security, reflecting concerns over energy supply and economic vulnerability. During the U.S.–Iran War, news coverage shifted toward the Middle East, Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, crude oil, oil prices, energy, and security, highlighting maritime energy routes and oil market instability. These findings indicate that the representation of energy security in South Korean news media differed according to the nature of international conflicts and sources of energy supply risk. This study provides broader implications for understanding energy security vulnerabilities and news media representations of geopolitical energy risks in energy-import-dependent countries.