May 25, 2011

Currency “Reform” in North Korea

By James Lister

Free elections are not part of North Korea’s political fabric, but Kim Jong-Il and his advisors are undoubtedly aware that the regime’s legitimacy will be...

May 25, 2011

Ribbon Cutting in Kia-ville

By Greg Scarlatoiu

From Kia, with Love: Korean Greenfield Investment Revives a Community On Friday, February 26, in a flashy rock concert atmosphere, a much awaited and well...

May 25, 2011

ROK-India Summit Meeting: South Korea’s “New Asia Initiative” Converges with India’s “Look East Policy”

By Greg Scarlatoiu

Beginning of Korea-India Relations, Shrouded in Legend Every year, India traditionally invites a foreign head of state to attend the anniversary of the establishment of...

May 25, 2011

Korea-EU FTA Represents a Challenge for the United States

By Troy Stangarone

Korea is a relative newcomer to the negotiation of bilateral FTAs, concluding its first agreement with Chile only in 2003. Prior to engaging in bilateral...

May 25, 2011

Who Gained What During the Third Summit between the Two Allies

By Florence Lowe-Lee

U.S. President Obama and South Korean President Lee held their third summit meeting on November 19 in Seoul. Thousands of Koreans lined the streets of...

May 25, 2011

A Tour de Force by Two Ambassadors

By Greg Scarlatoiu

U.S. citizens from many walks of life had the unusual opportunity in early September to hear from and interact with the two ambassadors responsible for...

May 25, 2011

The Sun Shines on: Inter-Korea Relations Warm in August

By Julia B. Cunico

August 2009 saw an abrupt “about-face” in North-South relations on the Korean peninsula. The month began with former president Bill Clinton’s historic meeting with Chairman...

May 25, 2011

Is This The End of Bumpy Summits between Two Allies?

By Florence Lowe-Lee

For the first time in a decade the leaders of the United States and Korea held an amiable summit meeting. The meetings between presidents Clinton...

May 25, 2011

North Korea’s Brinkmanship

By Nicole Finnemann

They Did What?! On the morning of May 25, after giving the U.S. government one hour’s notice, North Korea detonated a nuclear device underground at...

May 25, 2011

Our Favorite Topic for Speculation: Succession Scenarios in North Korea

By Nicole Finnemann

It seems that Kim Jong-il’s health, perhaps North Korea’s most closely guarded secret, is on everyone’s minds these days. Rumors of Kim’s ailments are growing...

May 25, 2011

Korea’s Green Leadership

By Greg Scarlatoiu

As it focused on rapid industrialization and accelerated economic growth, Korea had little leisure to worry about environmentally sustainable growth, with severe consequences: Korea is...

May 25, 2011

Reading Between the Lines: Clinton’s Trip and the Six Party Talks

By Nicole Finnemann

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s choice of Asia as the destination for her inaugural tour gave recognition to the significance of U.S. alliances and strategic...