SOUTH KOREA: On regional foreign policy, Seoul approaches a fork in the road
Kim Jong-un’s recent overtures are designed to drive wedges between South Korea and the US and between progressives and conservatives domestically; they speak to the real choice emerging in terms of Seoul’s regional foreign policy ahead of the March presidential election. … Become a member to read the rest of this article Username or […]
SOUTH KOREA: Front-runners emerge in party primaries ahead of presidential race
With the presidential primary season underway, Gyeonggi province governor Lee Jae-myung leads former prime minister Lee Nak-yeon in the race to be the ruling Democratic Party (DP)’s candidate. For the opposition People Power Party (PPP), former prosecutor-general Yoon Seok… Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTH KOREA/US: Biden-Moon summit produces deliverables
The US-South Korea summit between presidents Biden and Moon on 21 May produced a series of agreements that invest in new dimensions of the alliance, including vaccine production. South Korean conglomerates announced major investment plans (semiconductor chips, lithium batt… Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTH KOREA: Parties look to next year as Moon suffers by-election defeats
The opposition People Power Party (PPP) won landslide victories in mayoral by-elections in Seoul and Busan, as well as other local races, on Wednesday, 7 April. These results mark the first major victories by conservative forces after a wilderness period following the impeachment… Become a member to read the rest of this article
KOREAN PENINSULA: New administration works to strengthen cooperation with Seoul
North Korea fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles – possibly its solid-fueled KN-23, which it tested multiple times in 2019 – on Thursday, 25 March. The test launches, the first since US President Joe Biden entered office, followed statements from Pyongyang… Become a member to read the rest of this article
KOREAN PENINSULA: New administration works to strengthen cooperation with Seoul
US Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Seoul on Wednesday, 17 March for meetings with South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Defense Minister Suh Wook, including a 2+2 meeting with all four officials on 18 March. Whi… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
KOREAN PENINSULA: North Korea’s domestic woes could mean opportunity for Biden
North Korea’s economy continues to struggle due to border closures even as the country remains highly vulnerable to Covid-19. Domestic conditions could mean Pyongyang refrains from missile or nuclear tests in the near term, creating an opportunity for the new US administra… Become a member to read the rest of this article
KOREAN PENINSULA: Biden will likely face early challenge from North Korea
Kim Jong Un, speaking on the final day of the eighth congress of the ruling Korean Workers’ Party on 12 January, warned, “We must further strengthen the nuclear war deterrent while doing our best to build up the most powerful military strength,” signaling that North Korea will li… Become a member to read the […]
JAPAN/SOUTH KOREA: Comfort women ruling drives new wedge in relationship
The Japanese government swiftly rejected an 8 January ruling by the Seoul Central District Court that it must pay compensation to a group of surviving wartime sexual slaves known as “comfort women,” citing sovereign immunity and the terms of the 1965 basic treaty between Japa… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
ASIA: Suga and Moon face rising disapproval as case numbers surge
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and South Korean President Moon Jae-in are both struggling with eroding political support as their countries face their most significant increases in Covid-19 cases thus far. While in recent weeks Moon has recorded some of his lowest ap… Become a member to read the rest of this article