South Korea’s steadfast refusal to export military armaments to Ukraine, even amid intensifying international appeals, is interesting. On the surface, the Yoon Administration purported to be a global pivotal state, and gave rhetorical support to the values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Beneath the surface, it continues a long foreign policy tradition...
The Yoon administration’s close alignment with the Biden administration has been a defining feature of South Korea’s recent foreign policy. This tight partnership may now face significant challenges with the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency.
There is growing South Korean concern that Donald Trump will negotiate with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un to accept North Korea's nuclear arsenal in exchange for halting its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program.
In international relations, you’d think the people with the clearest view would be those who’ve been trained in the field—foreign policy analysts, diplomats, think-tanks pundits, journalists, and political scientists. They have the education, the experience, and an understanding of the inner workings of governments. But sometimes, the people who see things most clearly are those who aren’t bogged down by all that expertise—outsiders like novelists, playwrights, and artists. Why is that?
International relations theory often overlooks the emotional, cultural, historical, and practice dimensions that influence decision-making.
The leaders of South Korea, the United States, and Japan announced the establishment of a trilateral secretariat during the APEC summit in November 2024. This institutionalization aims to strengthen security cooperation.
Event or Trend: Donald Trump's election victory has reignited concerns in South Korea over his approach to alliances.
A recent investigation by a popular media program has revisited U.S. surveillance on South Korea, and sparked significant public concern about U.S. intentions, challenging Yoon Administration efforts to strengthen the relationship.
Could the Korea - U.S. alliance end? It seems impossible. Every U.S. official and every U.S. politician says it’s impossible. Strangely, you hear differently here in Seoul. In fact, very differently.
In recent history, two global powers—first the United States in Iraq and later Russia in Ukraine—initiated conflicts that were widely regarded as controversial, if not outright illegal, by much of the international community.
