Blog
The Koreas
Banished Soviet-Koreans Helped Build North Korea
By Jason Bartlett
Pyongyang touts its reclusive nature as an act of national pride free from foreign influence, but outsiders helped establish the state.
The Worsening Plight of North Korean Soldiers
By Gabriela Bernal
Soldiers are going beyond robbing homes and are now even targeting food storage facilities run by government agencies
South Korea Moves Closer to Launching Its First Lunar Orbiter
By Troy Stangarone
South Korea is on pace to launch the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO) next year, part of its expanding space program.
Why Did North Korea Restart Its Nuclear Reactor?
By Mitch Shin
The reported restart of the Yongbyon nuclear reactor is likely a bid for attention at a time when the United States is more focused on China’s rise.
Deterrence vs. Engagement: Striking the Right Balance in North Korea Policy
By Yangmo Ku
The optimal solution to North Korea’s nuclear and missile challenges will require a middle ground between stronger deterrence and maximal engagement.
IAEA: North Korea Seems to Have Restarted Yongbyon Nuclear Reactor
By Hyung-Jin Kim
The latest IAEA report says there are signs that North Korea is again producing plutonium at its Yongbyon complex.
The Real Cause of Seoul’s Real Estate Bubble: Economic Anxiety
By Yong Kwon
Soaring real estate prices are deeply connected to structural issues with the South Korean economy.
The Trouble With South Korea’s ‘Fake News’ Law
By James Constant
South Korea may be the only liberal democracy using a “fake news” law to target large traditional media companies.
US Special Envoy for North Korea Visits South Korea
By Mitch Shin
With diplomacy stalled, Sung Kim and Noh Kyu-duk discuss how to renew dialogues with their counterparts in Pyongyang.
After Afghanistan, Should South Korea Worry About US Commitment?
By Mitch Shin
Most South Koreans see their situation as fundamentally different, but some are arguing that the country must prepare for a possible U.S. withdrawal.
The Quest for Strategic Balance and South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Conundrum
By Wongi Choe
Seoul is walking a fine line, carefully calibrating its cooperation with U.S. initiatives in the Indo-Pacific.
South Korea’s Ambition to Become a Global Vaccine Hub
By Troy Stangarone
The country is looking to ramp up vaccine production – for COVID-19 and beyond.