Blog
The Koreas
Seoul and Busan Mayor By-Elections Spell Trouble for President Moon
By Mitch Shin
The ruling Democratic Party failed to keep the mayor positions in the country’s two biggest cities in by-elections on Wednesday.
North Korea Says It Won’t Participate in Tokyo Olympics
By Kim Tong-Hyung
Pyongyang cited concerns over COVID-19 for its decision. Its absence from the Games further dims hope of a diplomatic breakthrough.
South Korea Talks With China, Japan, and US in Flurry of Diplomacy
By Mitch Shin
South Korea’s foreign minister traveled to China while the country’s national security chief attended a meeting with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts in Washington.
How Will the Global Semiconductor Crunch Impact South Korea?
By Kyle Ferrier
Most South Korean conglomerates have weathered the shortage much better than their global competitors. That could change as early as this month.
North Korea Takes Aim at Seoul as Biden Mulls Policy Options
By Mitch Shin
After Pyongyang's resumed missile testing, Seoul and Washington are having difficulties finding a way to resume dialogue.
Land Speculation Scandal Grips South Korea
By Jenna Gibson
Amid soaring housing prices, allegations that officials used insider information to grab land sparked public outrage.
Strengthening Southeast Asia-North Korea Engagement in the Post-COVID-19 Era
By Shawn Ho and Jeeyoon Chung
Southeast Asian states and NGOs can play a significant role in engaging North Korea via humanitarian assistance programs.
South Korea’s Foreigner-Targeted COVID Testing Will Hurt Its New Southern Policy
By Anthony V. Rinna
Mandatory testing policies will make life harder for migrants from South and Southeast Asia, even as Seoul steps up its outreach to their home countries.
Why Did North Korea Sever Diplomatic Ties With Malaysia?
By Adam Leong Kok Wey
The move should be interpreted in the context of the DPRK's fraught relationship with the United States.
North Korea Fires Short-Range Missiles in First Challenge to Biden Administration
By Mitch Shin
North Korea fired multiple short-range cruise missiles after the United States and South Korea finished their springtime joint military exercise.
The South Korea-US 2+2 Talks: Who Came Out Ahead?
By Sukjoon Yoon
While the two sides were careful to avoid open disagreement, there are clear areas of tensions, from approaches to China and North Korea to alliance issues involving Japan.
North Korea Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Malaysia Over US Extradition
By Hyung-Jin Kim
North Korean national Mun Chol Myong is accused of sending luxury goods from Singapore to North Korea in violation of U.N. sanctions