The Diplomat  |  Author

Clint Work

Clint Work

Dr. Clint Work is fellow and director of Academic Affairs at the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI). KEI is registered under the FARA as an agent of the KIEP, a public corporation established by the government of the Republic of Korea. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.

Clint Work, Ph.D., is Fellow and Director of Academic Affairs at the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) and a Nonresident Fellow at the Stimson Center’s 38 North program.

His work is broadly focused on South Korea’s foreign and national security policy, political culture, U.S.-Korean relations, and U.S. foreign policy. More specifically, his doctoral research centers on U.S.-Korean relations under President Jimmy Carter and Carter’s abortive withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from South Korea. He has published his work in both academic and popular publications, including The Diplomat, Sino-NK, The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, 38 North, and the Peterson Institute for International Economics’ “North Korea: Witness to Transformation” page.

Follow him on Twitter: @clintwork1.

Posts by Clint Work
March 30, 2024

What the Return of Trump Would Mean for South Korea

By Clint Work
The former president called into question the U.S. force presence in Korea – the foundation for the alliance.

December 18, 2023

Shifting Visions of the South Korea-US Alliance

By Clint Work and Joo Young Kim
Changes in the official “Defense Vision” documents show clearly how conceptions of the alliance have evolved from 2019 to 2023.
October 02, 2023

South Korea: America’s Forgotten Ally? 

By Troy Stangarone and Clint Work
South Korea’s reluctance to play a more vocal role often leaves its sizable contributions less noticed than those of other allies.

August 07, 2023

UN Sending States: The Forgotten Parties in the Korean War

By Clint Work
Besides the U.S., 15 other states joined the defense of South Korea under the United Nations Command. They can still play a role on the Korean Peninsula today.

November 08, 2022

How, Exactly, Can the US Strengthen Extended Deterrence?

By Clint Work
Strengthening deterrence isn’t all about concrete realities and advanced capabilities. It’s just as much – if not more – about perception.

August 26, 2020

The US-South Korea Alliance and the China Factor

By Clint Work
In the current context of U.S.-China competition, Washington’s strategic preferences and Seoul’s search for greater autonomy are clashing.
March 28, 2020

US-Korea Alliance Diplomacy in the Shadow of COVID-19

By Clint Work
COVID-19 has disrupted or complicated already contentious cost-sharing talks in more ways than one. 

February 11, 2020

Beyond North Korea: Fractures in the US-South Korea Alliance

By Clint Work
Tracing near-term, structural, and strategic divergences in the alliance.

July 16, 2018

In Trump and Kim Jong Un We Trust?

By Clint Work
Recent polling data reveals South Koreans are looking more favorably on both the U.S. and North Korean leaders.

July 15, 2018

South Korea's Authoritarian Past Echoes in Controversial Document

By Clint Work
Seoul will be investigating a controversial plan to mobilize soldiers if protests against former president Park got out of hand.

July 09, 2018

Trump’s North Korea Policy: Treating Reality Like Reality Television

By Clint Work
The gap between Trump’s portrayal of events and the reality on the ground is cause for serious concern.
June 15, 2018

The US-North Korea Summit: All Flash, Little Substance

By Clint Work
Trump's haphazard approach to a historic event was not surprising. But what comes next?

Page 1 of 4