Presidential Hopefuls Should Book Seoul Before They Book Iowa

Would-be 2028 presidential candidates should book a trip to Seoul in 2026. Once the November midterms clear, the calendar belongs to Iowa diners and New...

The American Roots of North Korea’s Personality Cult

Energy Security in the Age of Geopolitical Competition

North Korean Refugees Are Increasingly Finding Success in South Korea

Despite significant barriers, a new survey found that satisfaction among North Korean refugees in South Korea reached its highest level.

2025 Year in Review: South Korea’s Post-Martial Law Reset

Despite the instability that followed martial law, civilian trust in the military, elections, and the national government reached record highs.

2025 Year in Review: Kim Jong Un’s Financial Conundrum

As 2025 draws to a close, reporting suggests that financial conditions may be stabilizing—but at levels radically worse than just two years ago.

A Strategic Reset of the U.S.-South Korea Alliance Under Trump and Lee

The Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) is pleased to issue Vol. 3, Issue 2 of its new flagship journal, Korea Policy.

UN Condemnation of North Korea’s Human Rights Abuses Holds Firm Despite Political Shifts

The gravity, scale and nature of human rights violations in North Korea are without parallel in the contemporary world.

Public Opinion and the Future of the U.S.–South Korea Alliance

Data shows enduring support for South Korea as a partner and consistent preference for more open trade, investment, and cultural exchange.

Japan’s Succession Battle Pits Moderates Against the Right—and Korea Is Watching

The path ahead in Japan is likely to be fraught with ongoing political instability until the party wins a new election and regains its majority. 

Between Beijing and Washington: South Korea’s Alliance Dilemma in the Trump-Lee Era

The Trump administration is asking Asian allies to contribute more to their defense and collectively step up military coordination to deter China.

Toward a U.S.–South Korea Alliance Renaissance

Washington and Seoul must cast their vision to the broader challenge of shaping regional peace and prosperity.

What is South Korea’s Place in the Trump-centric World Order?

If the value of the partnership is diminished from within, it will become increasingly difficult for the alliance to be sustained.

President Lee Jae Myung’s Strategic Decision to Stop in Tokyo Before Washington

The two Asian neighbors and allies of the United States appear determined to tightly coordinate their response to the Trump administration.

New Leadership, New Priorities for the U.S.–South Korea Alliance

The primary challenge may be whether Trump and Lee can abandon “America First” and “Korea first” instincts to “Make the Alliance Great Again.”