The Koreas

Less than three weeks before Moon Jae-in leaves office, the leaders of the two Koreas exchanged hand-written letters talking up the efforts of the peace process.

Similar to his father and grandfather, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un uses a combination of fear tactics and gift giving to help secure his influence over members of the North Korean elite. 

With few exceptions, South Korea’s K-pop idols have been conspicuously silent on controversial subjects – including the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Kim Il Sung’s birth anniversary, the most important national holiday in North Korea, passed without the expected military parade or any missile testing.

South Koreans are generally supportive toward hosting U.S. troops, but their preferred cost-sharing levels are below what Seoul already pays.

Experts say Kim is providing special treatment to elite North Koreans to boost their loyalty as he grapples with myriad challenges.

The incoming Yoon administration will change Seoul’s overtures on North Korea issues. As a result, the arms race will likely be intensified in the coming years. 

Locals report increasing starvation deaths and disappearances among their neighbors, but Pyongyang is most concerned with preventing the harsh reality from souring planned celebrations.

A recent survey finds a majority of Koreans approve of the idea -- even among supporters of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol.

Three days after Defense Minister Suh Wook underscored the South’s preemptive strike capabilities, Pyongyang warned that Seoul was facing a serious threat. 

The steady pace of North Korea’s improving nuclear arsenal paints a very worrying picture about where things are headed on the Korean Peninsula.

With the prospect of further disruptions from the war to energy supplies, South Korea should take a serious look at its own energy vulnerabilities.