The Peninsula
The Peninsula blog is a project of the Korea Economic Institute. It is designed to provide a wide ranging forum for discussion of the foreign policy, economic, and social issues that impact the Korean peninsula.
South Korean Conscription and the Challenges of a Declining Population
Terrence Matsuo
November 8, 2023
Although many advanced states face demographic challenges, it is especially acute for the Korea and its military.
South Korea as a middle power: assumptions and misunderstandings
Jeffrey Robertson
October 13, 2023
Middle powers were framed in a different era. Indeed, there is a strong argument to be made that they only existed in the period 1940-2000.
South Korea and the middle power revival school
Jeffrey Robertson
October 3, 2023
Two decades ago, South Korea was rarely called a middle power. Today, it invites ridicule to suggest South Korea is anything but.
Korea’s CHIPS Concerns are Mildly Assuaged
Tom Ramage
September 26, 2023
Despite the stability provided to them, Korean chip companies still grapple with uncertainty surrounding American semiconductor technology.
Japan–South Korea–US relations thawed, but not warm enough
Daniel Sneider
September 7, 2023
The August 18, 2023 summit at Camp David was rightly hailed as a breakthrough moment for Japan, South Korea, and the United States.
2022 in Review: Is Korea Becoming More Polarized?
Stephan Haggard
January 3, 2023
Korean voters are generally centrist. However, there is some evidience of growing political polarization, especially among partisan voters.
Partisanship Discourages Responsive Policy
Yu Na Choi
July 23, 2022
Recurring deadlocks in the National Assembly are fed by and worsen the public’s alienation from the political process.
Korea’s ad hoc and instrumental refugee policy
Yu Na Choi
July 4, 2022
South Korea’s refugee policies to-date have been largely responsive to the country’s political and economic demands, not principles.