Foreign Relations

North Korea’s ballistic missile tests in July 2006 shone a spotlight on security issues in East Asia. The media paid much attention to political challenges facing the U.S.-ROK alliance. Another…

During the past few years, the United States has begun three important initiatives that alter its defense commitment to South Korea (Republic of Korea [ROK]). First, Washington started to decrease…

At a time when the Biden Administration is seeking to restore faith in the alliances and show resolve, the potential for security cooperation between Japan and Korea is dimmed by the continuing primacy of disputes over history. Aggravating this problem is an ever-widening gap between Japan and South Korean with respect China. At the two…

In his first remarks to the western press ahead of his second meeting with then President Donald Trump, Chairman Kim Jong-un said: “I won’t make predictions. But I instinctively feel that a good outcome will be produced.” He has not interacted with foreign journalists since then, but that long silence may soon come to an…

What Happened On March 23, the South Korean Defense Minister met with his UAE counterpart to discuss bilateral defense relations. South Korea’s Akh special forces unit first deployed to the UAE in 2011. In November of 2020, the National Assembly approved extending the Akh unit's deployment until the end of 2021. Implications: South Korea is willing to leverage military deployment to…

What Happened On March 17, the Korea-LAC Digital Cooperation Forum commenced, which fosters cooperation between Latin American and Caribbean countries (LAC) and South Korea. Leading up to the event, President Moon stated that Korea and LAC are ideal partners in spaces such as digital and eco-friendly technology. These events come the same month Korea is to fully implement its fair-trade…