Expert Related Publication Feeds

Comparative Connections v.14 n.1 - US-Korea

bMizuno — Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The most significant news in early 2012 centered on North Korea’s rocket launch. In a slightly different twist, this latest provocation came just two weeks after reaching what seemed to be a new deal with the US to freeze its missile and nuclear programs in exchange for food assistance.

The 3 A.M. Phone Call: Pyongyang

ian — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

It is often said that American presidencies are remembered as much for how they deal with the unexpected as with the expected. That is, incoming presidents have agendas that they had stumped on throughout the campaign and come into office only to find their attention swept away by unforeseen events that would later define their presidencies. For George W. Bush, this was September 11.

U.S.-DPRK Food/Nuclear Announcement

sherry — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

On February 23–24, the U.S. delegation headed by Ambassador Glyn T. Davies, special representative for North Korea policy, held a third exploratory round of U.S.-DPRK bilateral talks in Beijing with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Kye Gwan.

Responses to PacNet #1R – North Korea: What Not to Do

ellise — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

I defer to the experts who are debating the likely and/or desirable near-term direction of North Korea's transition from the second to the third generation of the glorious Kim family. Victor Cha calls the stability prediction "optimistic" but worries that it won't happen because someone will do something untoward.

PacNet #3 - Comparative Connections Summary

ellise — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

It's been an Asia-centric four months. The US proclaimed America's "pivot" toward Asia, while North Korea faced a pivotal moment following the death of Kim Jong Il.

Comparative Connections v.13 n.3 - US-Korea

bMizuno — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak’s state visit to the US attested to the strength of the relationship and the personal ties between Presidents Obama and Lee. The timely passage of the KORUS FTA in the US was the big deliverable for the summit.

Critical Questions for 2012

ian — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

From international security and regional study to global challenges, CSIS experts will address many of the world's most difficult policy concerns and critical questions in 2012. To kick off the new year, we asked 25 of our scholars to identity what worries them most and what are the biggest opportunities in their respective areas of study.

TWQ: A North Korean Spring? - Winter 2012

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Is revolution similar to the Arab Spring possible in North Korea?

Challenges for Korean Unification Planning

jdunton — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

This conference report chronicles the progress of the CSIS–University of Southern California joint project on Korean unification. Now in its second year, the project’s primary purpose is to frame a discussion on the long-term tasks involved in the eventual unification of the Korean Peninsula.

The Death of the DPRK Leader

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

North Korea’s state television Korean Central News Agency made an official announcement that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il died at 8:30am on December 17. The announcement made two days after his death reported that he had died of a massive heart attack caused by stress and overwork while he was on a train for a field tour outside Pyongyang. He was 69 years old.

History and Asia

jdunton — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

History matters in international relations. At the inter-state level, history plays an important role in how a country relates to its neighboring countries or develops and manages its relationship with other countries.

Restart of U.S.-DPRK Negotiations

sherry — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The United States announced a return to dialogue with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The next meeting will take place in Geneva. This follows a first round of dialogue between the Obama administration and the DPRK in late July 2011 in New York City.

The U.S.-ROK Free Trade Agreement

ian — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

On October 12, the U.S. Congress approved free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama. The House passed the Korea trade deal (KORUS) in a 278 to 151 vote. In the Senate, KORUS passed with 83 in favor and only 15 opposed.

Q1: What is the significance of the agreement for the United States?

Comparative Connections v.13 n.2 - US-Korea

bMizuno — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The summer months saw a potentially new cycle of US-DPRK dialogue. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s invitation to DPRK Vice-Minister Kim Kye Gwan to visit New York for two days of official talks raised the specter that the North may be ready for re-engagement.

PacNet #49 - What Really Happened to the Hoyas in Beijing

bMizuno — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The Georgetown University Hoyas men’s basketball team’s trip to China gained international attention as video of the unfortunate fight between the Hoyas and the Bayi Rockets went viral around the world. There have since been a plethora of stories written about the incident, many with factual errors and misinterpretations.

Returning to the Dance Floor North Korea: Why Now?

mdumond — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Unknown to most, the stage is now being set for a return to denuclearization negotiations with North Korea with Hillary Clinton’s announcement this weekend that DPRK Vice-Minister Kim Kye-gwan will be invited to New York this week to meet with U.S officials.

South Korea Wins Bid to Host 2018 Winter Olympics

ian — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

On July 6, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) selected the city of Pyeongchang in South Korea as the host city for the 2018 Olympics. The IOC decision, made in Durbin, South Africa, awarded South Korea the Winter Games over competitive bids from Munich, Germany, and Annecy, France.

Fundamental Realism: Korean Assessments of U.S. Power

ian — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Despite the global recession, Koreans will continue to have positive views of U.S. leadership, the resiliency of American hard and soft power, and an appreciation of the critical role the United States plays in the region, given the rise of China. Koreans will hold a nuanced understanding of some of the domestic constraints on U.S.

The New Cold War in Asia?

ian — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The most likely crisis that the next presidents of the United States, China, and South Korea will encounter at some point after they each take offi ce in 2012 will be North Korean instability. This could occur as a result of the death of the ailing leader Kim Jong-il and a failed succession attempt by his not yet 30-year-old son.

Comparative Connections v.13 n.1 - US-Korea

bMizuno — Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The US and South Korea continued strong solidarity and close policy coordination on North Korea in early 2011. The US made repeated calls for North Korea to improve its relations with South Korea and show sincerity about denuclearization.

한반도 통일을 향한 접근

nanderson — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400

CSIS 코리아체어와 남가주대학 한국학연구소가 공동 주관한 코리아 프로젝트 첫 번째 컨퍼런스의 기본구상은 한반도 통일에 수반될 장기 과제들에 대한 논의의 틀을 만드는 것이었다.

Testimony Before the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs

mdumond — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Having worked on this issue in the White House and having studied it for decades, I can tell you North Korea policy truly is the land of lousy options. The choices are never between good and bad. They are always between bad and worse. Restarting food aid may sound like the same old story – rewarding bad behavior that will only elicit more bad behavior. The alternat

Comparative Connections v.12 n.4 - US-Korea

bMizuno — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

US-Korea relations centered around two major events. On the economic front, even though Presidents Barack Obama and Lee Myung-bak failed to seal a deal on the KORUS FTA during their meeting on the margins of the G20 in Seoul, the two countries reached final agreement a few weeks later, potentially opening a new era in bilateral relations pending approval in the two legislatures.

Hu Jintao’s State Visit: China and the Korean Peninsula

ian — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

On January 19, President Hu Jintao of China will arrive in Washington for his third visit since President Barack Obama’s inauguration. On the agenda will be discussion of a wide range of issues, including global trade imbalances, currency valuation, Iran’s nuclear program, global climate change, and most critically, North Korea.

중국의 부상에 따른 동북아지역 안보환경의 변화와 한국과 미국의 대응 전략

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

G2시대를 맞아 동북아지역 안보지형이 급변하면서 한반도를 둘러싼 새로운 안보전략 및 통일정책이 요구되고 있다.

China's Rise, the Changing Northeast Asian Security Environment, and the U.S.-ROK Strategic Response

nanderson — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

With the advent of the G2 era, the security dynamics of Northeast Asia have changed rapidly, and new security and North Korea policies are in demand. While this issue is fervently debated among policymakers and scholars, CSIS visiting fellow from the Republic of Korea (ROK) National Assembly, Mr. Ilkwon Kim, met with the CSIS Korea Chair Dr. Victor Cha for a special conversation. Below is Mr.

Approaching Korean Unification

jdunton — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

This interim conference report chronicles the progress of the CSIS–University of Southern California joint project on Korean unification. The project’s primary purpose is to frame a discussion on the long-term tasks involved in the eventual unification of the Korean Peninsula.

What to Do About North Korean Aggression?

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

There is a real possibility of war on the Korean Peninsula. The cause is not a second North Korean invasion of the South like in June 1950, which was successfully deterred by U.S. and South Korean forces.

Uranium and Artillery: North Korean Revelations and Provocations

ian — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

On November 12, nuclear scientist Siegfried Hecker and his Stanford University colleagues John Lewis and Robert Carlin were taken on a tour of the recently updated Yongbyon Nuclear Complex in North Korea.

“America’s First Pacific President” Attends the Seoul G-20 Summit

mentman — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

In the week following the November 2 midterm elections, President Barack Obama is scheduled to make several stops in Asia on his way to and from the November 11–12 G-20 Summit in Seoul, South Korea. Thus far, his itinerary includes visits to Indonesia, India, and Japan.

Comparative Connections v.12 n.3 - US-Korea

bMizuno — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The sinking of the Cheonan remained the predominant issue in the US-ROK relationship as both countries spent the quarter coordinating and undertaking punitive measures against North Korea. The UN Security Council adopted a Presidential Statement condemning the attack but did not directly blame North Korea.

Report on U.S. Attitudes Toward the Republic of Korea

ian — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400

In this report, we present and analyze public opinion data regarding U.S. attitudes toward the Republic of Korea (ROK). We include response data regarding the U.S.-Korea Alliance, U.S. military presence in South Korea, the North Korea nuclear issue, North- South Conflict, the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS-FTA), and general U.S. awareness of South Korea.

Succession in North Korea

ian — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Kim Jong-il’s stroke back in August 2008 and his continued frail health have brought the succession question to the center of the North Korean political/military agenda and to the forefront of global discussion and speculation regarding the insular communist state.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's Mission to North Korea

sherry — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Since Aijalon Mahli Gomes’s incarceration in North Korea began in January, the U.S. State Department has been laboring along with the Swedish embassy in Pyongyang to secure his release. In July, the North Korean media reported that Gomes attempted suicide, and a few weeks later, a U.S. consular official and two doctors were allowed to visit him to assess his condition.

Asia's Response to Climate Change and Natural Disasters

jdunton — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400

This new report by energy, regional, and humanitarian disaster specialists at CSIS examines the politics of climate change in Asia, the region’s response to natural disasters, and the implications for the future geometry of Asia’s institutions and U.S. policy in the region. The assessment looks broadly at two areas of nontraditional security cooperation in Asia: (1) climate change, including the domestic political factors in Asia and the regional strategies for securing low-carbon pathways; and (2) regional approaches to disaster management. The volume draws on case studies to assess the utility of existing and emerging institutions—the promises as well as the problems—as the United States and the region seek greater cooperation on both traditional and nontraditional security challenges. The authors discuss the problems related to lack of coordination at different levels, the uncertain role of the military, and continuing gaps in resources and expertise in key organizations.

Comparative Connections v.12 n.2 - US-Korea Relations

bMizuno — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The quarter saw a series of major events in US-ROK relations. The North Korean torpedo attack on the ROK warship intensified tensions and blasted hopes for resumption of the Six-Party Talks. Meanwhile, the US-ROK alliance was at its zenith as the US showed solidarity with South Korea and put pressure on China to support a strong UN Security Council measure denouncing the attack.

The Accidental Linchpin

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400

On the sidelines of the recent G20 summit in Toronto, U.S. President Barack Obama emerged from his meeting with his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak with two major announcements: A new timetable for transfer of wartime operational control of South Korean forces to Seoul, and a personal commitment to move the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement forward.

Hill Statements on the Cheonan Incident and North Korea

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The quotes and statements listed in this document represent some of the opinions expressed by politicians from across the country regarding the Cheonan episode on 26 March 2010.

The Aftermath of the Cheonan

ian — Tue, 25 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400

At 9:22 p.m. on March 26, the ROK Navy corvette Cheonan sank in the Yellow Sea just south of the disputed Northern Limit Line near Baengnyeong Island after an explosion in the ship’s stern ripped it in two. Of the 104 South Korean sailors on board, 58 were rescued; 46 are dead or remain missing.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong-il’s Visit to China

sherry — Tue, 04 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Kim Jong-il’s armored train arrived in the Chinese border city of Dandong on Monday, May 3, confirming months of media speculation that the North Korean leader’s fifth trip to China was imminent. Kim’s exact itinerary is unknown, but he reportedly toured areas in and around Dalian on Tuesday and is expected to visit Jinzhou next, followed by Shenyang and Beijing.

Delay the Transfer of Troops

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Everyone has a "to-do" list of important tasks they need to complete. When it comes to the U.S.-Korea alliance, one important item on this list for presidents Lee Myung-bak and Barack Obama is the transfer of full operational control of Korean troops to Seoul. The two leaders must decide whether to proceed as planned with the April 2012 timeline.

The Sinking of the Cheonan

ian — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Comparative Connections v.12 n.1 - US-Korea Relations

dfernandez — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The first quarter of 2010 set the stage for what should be a busy year in US-Korea relations. The Six-Party Talks remain stalled, although dire conditions in the North may force Kim Jong-il back to negotiations soon.

Kim Yu-Na and Pyeongchang

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

If South Korea competes on the global stage, why take solace in the fact that it beat out all of Asia in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games? Because the outcome of these games should put South Korea in very good stead to achieve its long-held quest to host the next Winter Games.

A New Life for the Korea-U.S. FTA?

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Obama went to Asia in November 2009. Attending the APEC meetings in Singapore, what struck the president was that in virtually every meeting, each Asian leader pointedly asked him what the U.S. position on trade was. After all, APEC member countries make up 44 percent of global trade, according to the Office of the U.S.

Comparative Connections v.11 n.4 - U.S.-Korea Relations

dfernandez — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The final quarter of 2009 included a number of significant developments in US-Korea ties. President Barack Obama made his first trip to Seoul in November, and Special Envoy for North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth traveled to Pyongyang in December. The summit between Presidents Obama and Lee Myung-bak marked the continuation of an historical high in relations between the two countries.

Analysis of Secretary of State Clinton’s Asia Architecture Speech

ian — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered an important speech at the East-West Center in Hawaii on Tuesday explaining the United States’ enduring interests in the Asia-Pacific region and the intention of the Obama administration to play a leading role in constructing an open and inclusive regional architecture for the future.

The New Geometry of Asian Architecture: What works and what does not

sherry — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The general judgment of scholars and policy experts is that the United States-Japan alliance has been unsuccessful at thinking innovatively about architectural design and the role of China in Asia. On the one hand, the United States, unlike China, has eschewed any interest in the region’s various indigenous architectural efforts.

Bosworth in Korea

ian — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Yesterday, Ambassador Stephen Bosworth landed in Seoul, South Korea, prior to going to North Korea on December 8. For three days of his stay in North Korea, he will engage in direct talks with North Korean officials. From North Korea, he will travel back to Seoul on the 10th, Beijing on the 11th, Tokyo on the 12th, and Moscow on the 13th and then return to Washington on the 15th.

President Obama's Trip to Korea

sherry — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Q1: What are the key defense issues?