Blog
The Koreas
Will Frozen China-South Korea Relations Thaw as Seoul Hosts Upcoming Trilateral Summit?
By Seong-Hyon Lee
Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s expected visit for the summit will be a crucial indicator of the future of strained Seoul-Beijing relations under South Korea’s pro-U.S. President Yoon Suk-yeol.
South Korean Court Rejects Effort to Block Plan That Would Boost Medical School Admissions
By Hyung-jin Kim
A standoff between the government and doctors opposed to the plan has shaken the country’s medical system for months.
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.
South Korea’s Tortuous Reckoning With the Itaewon Tragedy
By Eunwoo Lee
A special counsel finally takes off after more than 550 days of the government’s dawdling and muddling.
South Korea’s Parliament Approves Independent Investigation of Deadly 2022 Halloween Crush
By Hyung-jin Kim
The crush that killed 159 people was one of the biggest peacetime disasters in South Korea.
Transitional Justice in South Korea: A Turn to the Courts?
By Andrew Wolman
It seems as if the era of truth commissions may be winding down. What next for Korea’s transitional justice project?
South Korea’s Opposition Leader Urges President Yoon to Allow Special Investigations
By Hyung-jin Kim
After the opposition’s landslide victory in legislative polls, Yoon held his first meeting with Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung since taking office.
North Korea Sends Workers to Russia-Occupied Territory in Eastern Ukraine
By Seulkee Jang
Pyongyang made the decision after concluding that Russia had gained the upper hand in its war with Ukraine.
When China Banned Korean Boy Bands
By Khalifah Muhammad and Brandon Valeriano
Back in 2017, when South Korea opted to deploy the U.S. THAAD system, one response from China was to ban K-pop acts from touring the country. It was a reminder of the salience of soft power.
India-South Korea-US Trilateral Technology Cooperation
By Wondeuk Cho and Simran Walia
New developments mark a turning point for the India-South Korea special strategic partnership.
Mongolia to Strengthen Tourism and Creative Industry Ties With South Korea
By Bolor Lkhaajav
As showcased in the Mongolian prime minister's recent visit, Mongolia sees South Korea as a crucial partner in diversifying its economy.
South Korea’s Legislative Election: What Went Wrong for the PPP?
By Kyle Pope
The leadup to the election saw President Yoon Suk-yeol embroiled in a series of damaging incidents. His party paid the price.