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.
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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.

December 25, 2023
Previewing North Korea’s Strategic Moves in 2024
By Mitch Shin
Expect North Korea to continue to advance military ties with Russia, push forward key advanced weapons programs (like nuclear subs), and generally shun diplomacy with the U.S. and South Korea.

May 08, 2023
South Korean President Holds Meeting With Japanese Prime Minister in Seoul
By Mitch Shin
For the first time in 12 years, the Japanese prime minister visited Seoul for a bilateral meeting with the South Korean president.

May 05, 2023
North Korea Calls South Korean President a ‘Puppet Traitor’
By Mitch Shin
Pyongyang has been publishing belligerent statements slamming the South Korea-U.S. summit – and is eagerly seizing on South Korean criticisms for its own advantage.

May 01, 2023
North Korea Issues Warning After US-South Korea Summit
By Mitch Shin
The powerful sister of the North Korean leader released a statement denouncing the Washington Declaration and the new Nuclear Consultative Group.