Brookings: Topics - South Korea

Foreign Policy

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:23:32 GMT

The U.S. and the international community face great challenges in the 21st century—globalization offers more freedom and prosperity, but also new threats to our security. The Foreign Policy Studies scholars and research help policymakers and the public address these crucial issues.

Obama Shows Commitment to Asia

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On the heels of President Obama's recent trip to Asia, Michael Fullilove reassures Australians about the United States' commitment to the Asia-Pacific, saying that they should take the president at face value when he says "Asia and the United States are not separated by this great ocean; we are bound by it."

Obama Goes to Asia: Understanding the President’s Trip

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 06, 2009, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

In mid-November, President Barack Obama began his first trip to Asia as president with a visit to Tokyo. He also traveled to China, South Korea and Singapore, where took part in meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Prior to the president's trip, the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies and the John L. Thornton China Center at Brookings hosted a discussion of President Obama’s trip and the issues he was likely to face.

Opportunities for U.S.-ROK Alliance Cooperation: New Issues on the Agenda

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 08, 2009, 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM

On October 8, the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies at Brookings hosted an event featuring contributors from A Roadmap for Expanding U.S.-ROK Alliance Cooperation, produced by the Center for U.S.-Korea Policy at the Asia Foundation. At the event, the contributors presented their findings on expanding the U.S.-ROK alliance to cover such newly-emerging issues as pandemics and biological threats, counter-terrorism, and space cooperation.

Regional Multilateralism in Asia and the Korean Question

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Korean peninsula served as the battleground for an internationalized civil war from 1950-1953. Over a half-century later, the peninsula is still divided and the Korean question remains unresolved. In this CNAPS visiting fellow working paper, Wonhyuk Lim writes that placing Korean unification within the broader context of regional integration in Asia may be an effective geopolitical strategy for the Korean nation.

Obama, South Korean President Criticize North Korea's Actions

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Dennis Wilder joined Gwen Ifill to discuss President Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak meeting about recent provocations in the latest round of the ongoing diplomatic standoff with North Korea.

North Korea Collapse Scenarios

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Iraq and Afghanistan continue to pre-occupy U.S. military planners. But North Korea, with its growing nuclear arsenal, would become America's paramount security challenge if the state were to collapse. Michael O’Hanlon writes that the United States and other nations must begin detailed and coordinated planning for stabilization in the event of collapse of the North Korean state.

2009 Seoul-Washington Forum: The Future of U.S.-Republic of Korea Relations

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

April 16, 2009, 9:00 AM to 11:45 AM

On April 16, leading experts from South Korea and the United States addressed the economic and military relationship between the two countries during the third annual Seoul-Washington Forum at the Brookings Institution. Brookings Senior Fellow Richard Bush, director of the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies, provided introductory remarks and moderated the discussion.

The Mind of Kim Jong Il

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Richard Bush offers insight into what North Korea's Kim Jong Il may be thinking on several key issues including the recent missile launch tests and the new U.S. administration of President Barack Obama.

Democratization and the Transformation Process in East Asian Development States: Focus on Financial Reform in Korea and Taiwan

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this CNAPS Visiting Fellow working paper, Haeran Lim explores the effects of democratization on the transformation process of East Asian developmental states, focusing on financial reform in Korea and Taiwan after the Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998. Despite their similarities, Korea and Taiwan have taken different paths of reform, which resulted in different outcomes.

The Six-Party Process, Regional Security Mechanisms, and China-U.S. Cooperation

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Even though the six-party process focuses on Korean denuclearization, it has also served as a catalyst for the future of Asia-Pacific security cooperation. In this CNAPS Visiting Fellow Working Paper, Pang Zhongying writes that China and the U.S. should extend their positive cooperation on Korean denuclearization into the realm of regional security, and develop a mechanism that ensures peace, stability and prosperity.

East Asia in the Spotlight: Secretary of State Clinton’s First Trip Abroad

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 12, 2009, 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM

The Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies and the John L. Thornton China Center hosted a discussion on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s first trip abroad. Secretary Clinton will visit Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and China and is expected to address the challenges facing the international community, including the global financial crisis, humanitarian issues, regional security and climate change.

Continuity and Change in Korea: Challenges for Regional Policy and U.S.-Russia Relations

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this CNAPS Visiting Fellow Working Paper, Georgy Toloraya writes that the United States and the other parties concerned must begin to consider three key issues as they seek to convince North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program: the future of the North Korean state, the basis of its long-term security, and the shape of a new regional security order.

Democratic Consolidation in the Republic of Korea: Progress and Challenges

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:45:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 02, 2009, 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM

The Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies at Brookings, the Asian Studies Center at the Heritage Foundation and the Seoul National University’s Institute for Korean Political Studies and the Political Science BK21 Project hosted a symposium to examine South Korea's progress over the last 20 years in building its democratic institutions.

Challenges in Alliance Management between Washington and Seoul

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Issues in its relationship with the United States often become domestic political problems for the South Korean government, to far a greater extent than for Washington. CNAPS Visiting Fellow Park Sun-won describes the various policy forces in Korea, explores their expectations of the U.S., and prescribes some steps for the two governments to maintain stability in the alliance.

U.S.- ROK: The Forgotten Alliance

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Though North Korea receives far more attention in the media, South Korea – a major trading partner and military ally – is far more important to the United States. As defense leaders from the United States and South Korea meet for the 40^th annual Security Consultative Meeting, Brookings Nonresident Senior Fellow Kongdan Oh writes that Washington and Seoul must recast their alliance.

Eleventh Class of Visiting Fellows Joins the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies at Brookings

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:58:47 GMT

Brookings President Strobe Talbott announced the arrival of five new visiting fellows at the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies at Brookings (CNAPS). This year’s fellows come from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, and will participate in the center’s ten-month program.

Soft Power in East Asia

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 17, 2008, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

On June 17, the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies (CNAPS) at Brookings and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs hosted a seminar to announce and examine the findings of a groundbreaking public opinion survey on the current and potential use of soft power in East Asia by the United States, China, Japan and South Korea.

South Korea's Trade Protests: Lessons for President Lee and Korea's Role in the Global Economy

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

South Korea's president, Lee Myung-bak, and his cabinet face a political crisis in the wake of large-scale protests that were started by fears of a potential agreement to reopen the South Korean market to American beef. Leonardo Martinez-Diaz examines the situation and the conflicting views of Korea's place in a changing world economy that have led to political turmoil for the new government.

How to Feed North Korea

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hunger should know no politics, as President Ronald Reagan declared to justify food aid to Ethiopians starving under a brutal communist regime in the 1980s. Therefore South Korea's criticism of North Korea's human rights record need not prevent its providing food and fertilizer to hungry people in the North.

The Emerging Architecture for Security and Cooperation in Northeast Asia

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

James Goodby believe the outlook for the Korean Peninsula is far from bleak, but top-level leadership in all countries will be required if 2008 is to see significant progress toward a new system for peace and security in Northeast Asia.

North Korea Now: Will the Clock Be Turned Back?

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The overall mood regarding possibilities for Korean denuclearization has changed dramatically for the worse since the beginning of 2008. CNAPS Visiting Fellow Georgy Toloraya writes that there is a danger that this pessimism could roll back the progress made thanks to engagement policies in the past year.

Inauguration of Lee Myung-bak: Grappling with Korea’s Future Challenges

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

On February 25, Lee Myung-bak will be inaugurated as the tenth president of the Republic of Korea. President Lee will have to reach across party and social lines to manage challenges in the economy, relations with the United States and other foreign powers, inter-Korean engagement, and—not least—South Korea’s uncertain political environment.

North Korea Out of a Corner?

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Michael O'Hanlon writes that with the election of Lee Myung-bak to be South Korea's next president come February, a new phase is beginning in efforts to convince North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program — and ideally, to begin a gradual reform and integration with the rest of the world.

Looking Back and Looking Forward: North Korea, Northeast Asia and the ROK-U.S. Alliance

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Following a period of rocky relations caused by both ideological and structural factors, the U.S.-South Korea relationship began recovering in early 2007. In this CNAPS Visiting Fellow Working Paper, Hyeong Jung Park analyzes the recent history of the relationship and offers comprehensive suggestions for how the two sides can transform both their alliance and the strategic shape of Northeast Asia.

Russia’s East Asian Strategy: The Korean Challenge

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Georgy Toloraya argues that the Korean Peninsula has changed radically since the end of 2006 and that Korea will play a greater and much different role in East Asia than it did in the past.

What Form Should An Asian Economic Union Take?

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Scholar Wing Thye Woo discusses the key components for forming an effective Asian Economic Forum.

The Legacy of Developmental States: Industrial Policy in Korea and Taiwan

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 20, 2007, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Haeran Lim explores the path of the post-developmental state by focusing on changes in industrial policy in Korea and Taiwan after the 1997 Asian financial crisis. She explains how the legacy of the developmental state led to a coordination failure, and identifies the need for a new coordination mechanism for industrial policy.

Ambassador Charles L. Pritchard, Bush Administration Special Envoy to North Korea, to Join Brookings

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:08:47 GMT

Ambassador Charles L. Pritchard, Bush Administration Special Envoy to North Korea, joins Brookings.

Tenth Class of Visiting Fellows Joins Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:40:02 GMT

Brookings President Strobe Talbott announced today the arrival of six new visiting fellows at the Brookings's Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies (CNAPS). This year's fellows come from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and Taiwan, and will participate in the center's ten-month program.

Changes in Perceptions of the ROK-US Alliance and the Way Ahead to Achieve Common Interests

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

July 11, 2007 at 12:00 AM

Seoul-Washington Forum

Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 14, 2007 at 12:00 AM

American and Korean officials and scholars discussed Korean-American revelations, North Korea’s nuclear program and establishing permanent peace on the Korean peninsula. An underlying theme was that the situation there will improve only when relations between North Korea and the U.S. improve.

Toward a Peace Regime on the Korean Peninsula: A Way Forward for the ROK-US Alliance

Wed, 02 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 02, 2007 at 12:00 AM

No More Second-Best Trade Solutions

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Chad P. Bown, Washington Post (4/13/07)

How to Deal with South Korea

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Wonhyuk Lim and Sunhyuk Kim, Washington Quarterly (Spring 2007)

Update on the Six-Party Talks

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 22, 2007, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

South Korea's Strategic Thinking toward China: From Park Chung Hee to Roh Moo Hyun

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 18, 2006, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

Change of U.S.-ROK Wartime Operational Command

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Richard C. Bush III and Bruce E. Bechtol Jr., The Brookings Institution (9/14/06)

Searching for a Strategy: The Bush-Roh Summit

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT

On September 14th, the presidents of the United States and the Republic of Korea - George W. Bush and Roh Moo-hyun - will meet at the White House for their latest, and perhaps last, summit. This is President Roh's third visit to the United States as president and his sixth summit with President Bush. Their meeting occurs at a critical time in Northeast Asia and in the U.S.-ROK alliance.

South Korea: A Disunited Allied Force?

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael E. O'Hanlon, The Washington Times (8/28/06)

Observations on the U.S.-ROK Alliance

Fri, 05 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Speech by Richard C. Bush III, KORUS House (5/5/06)

I am very pleased to speak on the occasion of the dedication of KORUS House as a center for cooperation in media, academics and society concerning critical current issues. I've already attended a number of programs here. I expect to attend many more. I am also very honored to follow Minister Kim Chan-ho, Minister of the Korea's Information Agency, at the podium.

Seoul-Washington Forum

Mon, 01 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 01, 2006 at 12:00 AM

Seoul-Washington Forum

Korea-U.S. Alliance: Time to Take It to the Next Level

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 08:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

March 14, 2006 at 8:30 AM

Without doubt, Korea represents the best example of US foreign policy success. If the US had not intervened in the Korean War, it would be difficult to imagine the Korea of today. Korea today is no longer one of the poorest nations in the world. As a matter of fact, it is now a member of the rich countries' club, the OECD. Politically, Korea is the most advanced and vibrant democracy in Asia. This achievement is of course the result of the hard work of the Korean people themselves, but at the same time the US is justified in taking pride in this development.

When in Doubt, Blame South Korea: The Politics of Food Aid to North Korea

Thu, 16 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Wonhyuk Lim, Nautilu Institute Policy Forum (2/16/06)

Kim Jong Il's Southern Tour: Beijing Consensus with a North Korean Twist?

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Wonhyuk Lim, Korea-China Forum (2/14/06)

Turning a Crisis into an Opportunity: The Political Economy of Korea's Financial Sector Reform

Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Chapter by Wonhyuk Lim and Joon-Ho Hahm, From Crisis to Opportunity (1/06)

Future of U.S.-Seoul Ties

Sun, 18 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Interview on the Situation in Iraq

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Interview with Strobe Talbott, JoongAng Ilbo (12/6/05)

Six Party Talks Update: False Start or a Case for Optimism?

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by Charles L. Pritchard, prepared for 2005 CNAPS Annual Conference (12/1/05)

The Changing Korean Peninsula and the Future of East Asia

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 01, 2005, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

North Korea's Economic Futures

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 02, 2005 at 12:00 AM

Expand the Six-Party Agenda

Wed, 10 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael O'Hanlon, The Washington Times, (8/10/05)

The Korean Peninsula and the Role of Multilateral Talks

Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Charles L. Pritchard, UNIDIR Disarmament Forum (2005 no. 2)

U.S. Policy toward Japan and Korea in the Second Bush Administration

Thu, 27 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

January 27, 2005 at 12:00 AM

Korean Reunification: Implications for the United States and Northeast Asia

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by Charles L. Pritchard, Uri Party Foundation International Symposium on Peace and Prosperity in Northeast Asia (1/14/05)

The Transformation of South Korean Politics: Implications for U.S.-Korea Relations

Wed, 01 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT

CNAPS Working Paper by Sook-Jong Lee (September 2004)

America and South Korea: An Alliance That Needs to Be Mended

Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by James E. Goodby and Donald Gross, International Herald Tribune (8/6/04)

Why the U.S. Forces/Korea Plan Makes Sense

Tue, 15 Jun 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Michael E. O'Hanlon, House Armed Services Committee (6/15/04)

Why America's South Korea Plan Makes Sense

Thu, 10 Jun 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael E. O'Hanlon, International Herald Tribune (6/10/04)

South Korea's Democracy and Diplomacy

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

March 23, 2004 at 12:00 AM

Sensible Plan for South Korea

Sat, 29 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael O'Hanlon, The Japan Times (11/29/03)

Prospects for Korean Unification

Mon, 01 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Katy Oh, Education About Asia (Fall 2003)

How America Views China-South Korea Bilateralism

Tue, 01 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT

CNAPS Working Paper by Jae Ho Chung (July 2003)

Misunderstandings About the Relocation of U.S. Bases in Korea

Sat, 21 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Kongdan Oh, The Korean Daily (6/21/03)

U.S. Should Bless the Japan-ROK Free Trade Pact

Mon, 09 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Naoko Munakata, CSIS PacNet Newsletter (6/9/03)

The Bush Foreign Policy Revolution

Sun, 01 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Article by James Steinberg, New Perspectives Quarterly (Summer 2003)

The ROK-U.S. Alliance: Where Is It Headed?

Tue, 01 Apr 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Dong Shin Kim, Strategic Forum (April 2003)

Let's Rethink America's Global Military Presence

Thu, 13 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael O'Hanlon in The Baltimore Sun (March 13, 2003)

South Korea's New President: A New Generation. A New Direction?

Wed, 26 Feb 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 26, 2003 at 12:00 AM

Crisis on the Korean Peninsula: Implications for U.S. Policy in Northeast Asia

Fri, 24 Jan 2003 13:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

January 24, 2003, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

Korea's Political Outlook

Sun, 19 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Presentation by Ambassador Hong-choo Hyun at the 16th Joint Planning Meeting Korea-U.S. /U.S.-Korea Business Councils (January 19-21, 2003)

The President's Trip to Japan, China, and South Korea: A Full Plate of Anti-Terrorism and Other Issues in Asia

Wed, 13 Feb 2002 15:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 13, 2002, 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Korea: A Geopolitical Overview

Sun, 18 Nov 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Speech by Michael H. Armacost, The Fourth Symposium on Korea and the Search for Peace in Northeast Asia (November 2001)

Engaging Problem Countries

Fri, 01 Jun 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #61 by Richard N. Haass and Meghan L. O'Sullivan (June 2000)

Visit by President Kim Dae-jung of South Korea to the United States

Thu, 01 Mar 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

March 01, 2001 at 12:00 AM

Perceptions on Free Trade: The Korean Debate Over the Japan-Korea Free Trade Agreement

Thu, 01 Mar 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Working Paper by Chungsoo Kim, Guest Fellow, the Brookings Institution, for the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies, 2001

Bush and Korea: What Next?

Wed, 07 Feb 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Bush and Korea-- What's Next?, Opinion in Dong-A Ilbo, February 7, 2001, by Joel S. Wit, foreign-policy, The Brookings Institution

It's Your Move, President Bush

Wed, 17 Jan 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Its Your Move, President Bush, Opinion in Asahi Shimbun, January 22, 2001, by Joel S. Wit, foreign-policy, The Brookings Institution

Breakthrough in U.S.-North Korean Relations?

Fri, 06 Oct 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Breakthrough in U.S.-North Korean Relations? Opinion in , October 6, 2000, by Joel S. Wit, foreign-policy, The Brookings Institution

The Korea Summit

Wed, 07 Jun 2000 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 07, 2000 at 2:00 PM

The Korea Summit

Wed, 07 Jun 2000 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 07, 2000 at 2:00 PM

The Economic Debacle in Northeast Asia: Economic, Political and Social Legacies

Sun, 01 Aug 1999 00:00:00 GMT

In this report, the seven authors—all policy analysts or practitioners specializing on Northeast Asia—take a critical look at the economic, political and social legacies of the 1997 Asian currency crisis, and offer reasoned policy prescriptions as their governments pursue varied paths to cope with its long-term aftershocks.

Aim for Korea Breakthrough: Ambitious Military, Economic Plan May Spur Action

Mon, 30 Mar 1998 00:00:00 GMT

Aim for Korea Breakthrough: Ambitious Military, Economic Plan May Spur Action, Defense News, March 30 - April 5, 1998, by Michael E. O'Hanlon and Mike M. Mochizuki. After two years of talking about having talks, it is time the United States, South Ko

Kim Dae Jung: A Future Leader's Moment of Truth

Wed, 24 Dec 1997 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael Armacost and Richard Holbrooke, The New York Times (12/24/97)

International Monetary Arrangements: Is There a Monetary Union in Asia's Future?

Sat, 01 Mar 1997 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Review article by Barry Eichengreen (Spring 1997)