The Diplomat | Author
Mitch Shin
Mitch Shin is a chief correspondent for The Diplomat, covering the Korean Peninsula.
Previously, he was a research fellow at the Institute for Peace & Diplomacy and a regular columnist at the Korea Times. He was also a nonresident Korea Foundation fellow at Pacific Forum and a nonresident research fellow at the Institute for Security & Development Policy, Stockholm Korea Center.
An expert on the South Korean government’s policy on North Korea, his research areas are inter-Korean relations, North Korea-U.S. relations, South Korea-U.S. relations, deterrence, nonproliferation, and U.S. policy on North Korea. His articles and comments have also appeared in various publications including Fox News, Yahoo News, TRT World, WION Media, VOA, Asia Times, and Japan Times.
Shin received his B.A. from the University of Utah.
July 07, 2025
South Korean President Holds Press Conference
By Mitch Shin
A month after his election, Lee Jae-myung reiterated his will to “rebuild” South Korea.
June 30, 2025
South Korean President Nominates Prime Minister and Ministers
By Mitch Shin
Lee Jae-myung has nominated 17 out of 19 ministers – and one of them was part of the Cabinet of his impeached predecessor.
June 10, 2025
South Korea’s New President Begins Diplomacy With Flurry of Calls
By Mitch Shin
Within a week after his election, Lee Jae-myung talked with the leaders of the United States, Japan, and China over the phone.
June 03, 2025
Lee Jae-myung Is the Next President of South Korea
By Mitch Shin
Riding a wave of public outrage against Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law declaration, Lee won a landslide victory in the election on June 3.
May 22, 2025
The Top Priority for South Korea’s Next President
By Mitch Shin
In the wake of Yoon Suk-yeol’s poor performance, the country has severely been polarized. Now the public hopes the new president will integrate the country.
May 13, 2025
After Last-Minute PPP Drama, South Korea’s Presidential Campaigns Officially Kick Off
By Mitch Shin
The candidates are set, despite some twists in the ruling party’s primary process. Now the 21-day presidential campaign has officially begun.
May 07, 2025
Lee Jae-myung’s Presidential Bid Is Safe After Court’s Decision to Postpone Trials
By Mitch Shin
The heavily favored opposition candidate will now be able to run in the upcoming snap election, despite a shocking intervention from the Supreme Court.
May 05, 2025
Kim Moon-soo Elected as PPP’s Presidential Candidate
By Mitch Shin
Despite his victory in the People Power Party’s primary elections, he will likely be sidelined as a candidate in the coming days.
May 02, 2025
Back-to-Back Resignations Throw South Korea’s Acting Presidency Into Turmoil
By Shannon Tiezzi and Mitch Shin
South Korea’s political and constitutional chaos have entered a new phase, one that will likely last even after the June 3 presidential election.
April 29, 2025
PPP’s Primary Presidential Election Down to Final 2 Candidates
By Mitch Shin
The conservative People Power Party has narrowed its slate down to two candidates: Kim Moon-soon and Han Dong-hoon. But it might be a third man who ends up being the PPP's presidential pick.
April 28, 2025
Lee Jae-myung Elected as DP’s Presidential Candidate
By Mitch Shin
After setting a record for the share of votes received during the party’s primary elections, Lee aims to win the presidential election scheduled on June 3.
April 22, 2025
Han Duck-soo’s Risky Negotiation With Donald Trump
By Mitch Shin
Han and his ministers are rushing to sign a trade deal with Washington, but their primary job as an acting government is to maintain a status quo.
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