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Mitch Shin

Mitch Shin

Mitch Shin is a chief correspondent for The Diplomat, covering the Korean Peninsula. He is also a research fellow at The Institute for Peace & Diplomacy and a columnist for The Korea Times.

Shin is a chief correspondent for The Diplomat, covering foreign affairs and national security of the two Koreas. He is also a research fellow at The Institute for Peace & Diplomacy and a regular columnist for the Korea Times.
Previously, he was 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, VOA, Asia Times, and Japan Times.
Shin received his B.A. from the University of Utah.
Posts by Mitch Shin
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October 31, 2024

Ahead of US Presidential Election, North Korea Launches ICBM

By Mitch Shin
Just after the South Korean defense minister met his counterpart in Washington, North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile.
October 16, 2024

North Korea Steps up Its Hostile Moves Against South Korea

By Mitch Shin
With road demolitions and direct threats, North Korea has further cemented its belligerent stance toward the South.

September 13, 2024

Why Is South Korea’s President Yoon So Unpopular?

By Mitch Shin
The majority of South Koreans think their president is not doing his job well, and there's no shortage of explanations.

September 06, 2024

South Korea’s President Yoon Meets Japanese Prime Minister Kishida One Last Time

By Mitch Shin
Before Kishida’s departure as prime minister, Yoon touted their efforts to restore stony relations between the two countries. The South Korean public is less enthused.

August 12, 2024

How Would a Harris Administration Deal With North Korea?

By Mitch Shin
If Harris wins the election in November, she is likely to continue the Biden administration’s approach to Pyongyang. That would be a mistake.
July 19, 2024

The 2 Koreas’ Cold War Measures Destabilize the Korean Peninsula

By Mitch Shin
How should South Korea handle balloon clashes against the backdrop of Trump’s possible re-election? 

June 20, 2024

South Korea and the US Should Use the Kim-Putin Bromance

By Mitch Shin
Despite Seoul and Washington’s growing fear of the strengthened ties between Russia and North Korea, there is no need to rule out diplomacy and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. 
May 16, 2024

The Great Debate Over South Korea Developing Nuclear Weapons Is Back

By Mitch Shin
Despite a destabilized Korean Peninsula due to North Korean missile developments, acquiring nuclear weapons would be a dead end for Seoul.

April 11, 2024

In South Korea, President Yoon’s Lame Duck Era Officially Begins

By Mitch Shin
The opposition Democratic Party of Korea won a landslide victory in the 22nd general elections, largely due to Yoon's unpopularity.

April 01, 2024

The Sewol Ferry Disaster, 10 Years Later

By Mitch Shin
Despite two changes in the South Korean presidency, bereaved families say their questions remain unanswered.

February 28, 2024

Will Kim Jong Un Meet With Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida?

By Mitch Shin
Amid the stalled nuclear talks between the U.S. and North Korea, Japan seeks to hold a summit meeting with North Korea.
January 17, 2024

Pyongyang Wants to Be DPRK, Not North Korea

By Mitch Shin
Underneath the belligerence, the reframing by Pyongyang actually opens an opportunity, if Seoul can seize it.

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