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.
Controversial Gwangju: Why May 18 Stands Out among Korea’s Democratization Movement Anniversaries
Benjamin Engel
May 5, 2022
Distorted historical narratives prevent South Korea from fully coming to terms with the 1980 Gwangju Democracy Movement and inhibit democratic growth.
The Foreign Policy Outlook of South Korean Progressives: Part IV
S. Nathan Park
April 27, 2022
Pragmatism represents a common theme in South Korea's liberal foreign policy, responding to external pressures as well as internal constraints.
Mapping Kim Jong-un’s Appearances, 2012-2021
Danbee Lee
April 15, 2022
There is a long tradition of considering North Korean leaders’ public appearances as a potential source of information on the regime’s priorities.
Does the Military Still Shape Korean Politics?
David Lee
April 6, 2022
President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol received endorsements from five former senior military officers. Did their endorsements influence voters?
Is Korea Showing the Future of Elections: AI Candidates?
Dongwoo Kim
March 16, 2022
The use of AI candidates in this election yet again underscores South Korea’s tech-savviness and the willingness to embrace new technologies.
Polarization in Korea Part II: Divided Over What?
Yeilim Cheong
March 3, 2022
Politics is becoming somewhat more polarized in Korea, but more sharply among partisans than the general public. What is it that divides Korean voters?
Polarization Shapes Electoral Politics
Korea View
February 26, 2022
Prevailing hostilities may have forestalled an electoral merger between the third-party centrist candidate and the main opposition party.
The Foreign Policy Outlook of South Korean Progressives: Part II
S. Nathan Park
February 22, 2022
The history of South Korea’s political divide informs how the country's liberals approach not only their political goals but also foreign policy outlook.