2018 in Review: When Donald Met Jong-un
If 2017 was the year of “fire and fury,” 2018 saw the United States and North Korea turn from the rhetoric of war to diplomacy.
Tertiary Impact of Higher U.S. Tariffs Imposed on China
Higher U.S. tariffs on Chinese products leave Korea’s economy vulnerable to this trade fight because many Chinese products incorporate parts from Korea.
Did China Use North Korea as Smoke Screen for the South China Sea?
Has China used the distraction of recent crisis over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program to entrench itself in the South China Sea?
Trump Cancels Summit and Tells Kim “Call Me, Maybe”
In his letter to Kim Jong-un, President Trump left the door open to meet in the future, and North Korea responded by leaving the door open as well.
Is Beijing Beginning to Ease the THAAD Boycott?
The number of Chinese tourists arriving in South Korea in March and April has increased year-on-year for the first time since February 2017.
The Kim-Xi Summit and the Implications for North Korean Denuclearization
If Trump’s decision to meet with Kim was unexpected, Xi’s desire to meet with Kim prior to his summit meetings with Trump shouldn’t come as a surprise.
South Korea’s Not Out of the Woods Yet on U.S. Trade Actions
While many have expressed relief over reaching a tentative deal on the KORUS FTA, Korea still could get caught between China and the United States.
Estonia’s Take on North Korea
Similar to the U.S. “Worldwide Threat Assessment,” the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service has published its report, “International Security and Estonia.”
The Economics of Why a “Bloody Nose” is at Odds with “Maximum Pressure”
Even in the best-case scenario, a “bloody nose” attack on North Korea would likely undermine “maximum pressure” for economic reasons.
Beijing’s Economic War on Pyongyang
Beijing conducting economic “war” on Pyongyang might be a little strong, but I think everyone would agree it’s at least a fierce and growing skirmish.