April 29, 2024

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Justin Yeo

Justin Yeo

Justin Hyun-jun Yeo is a research assistant to Professor Andrei Lankov at Kookmin University in Seoul. His areas of expertise include ROK domestic politics and Korea-Japan relations, as well as international relations in East Asia.

Analysis

Security concerns nudge South Korea and Japan closer, with encouragement from US

First official summit reveals Yoon and Kishida want a reset, but nationalism remains a constant risk to progress

Justin YeoJustin YeoNovember 16, 2022
Analysis

Sound and fury: A divided South Korean parliament ends contentious audit

Progressives assailed trilateral military drills and response to Itaewon tragedy during weekslong audit of government

Justin YeoJustin YeoNovember 11, 2022
Analysis

South Korea’s poor response to crowd crush tragedy faces international criticism

Measures to send back foreign victims’ bodies spark controversy, as disaster quickly turns into domestic political issue

Justin YeoJustin YeoNovember 4, 2022
Analysis

Why Yoon Suk-yeol may escape blame for South Korea’s Halloween tragedy

History shows local leaders often take fall for disasters, though Sewol underlines consequences of presidential missteps

Justin YeoJustin YeoNovember 1, 2022
Opinion

How anti-Japanism stunts South Korea’s ambition to enhance US alliance

Opposition party chief suggests Japan might re-invade Korea, and these views are surprisingly entrenched in the ROK

Justin YeoJustin YeoOctober 14, 2022
Analysis

Seoul’s diplomacy left weakened after parliament votes against foreign minister

Opposition-led National Assembly could refuse to talk to Park Jin after no-confidence motion — even in a major crisis

Justin YeoJustin YeoOctober 5, 2022
Analysis

South Korea and Japan take small step toward better ties at ‘informal summit’

While brief, Yoon Suk-yeol and Fumio Kishida’s meeting at UN marked first talks between countries’ leaders in years

Justin YeoJustin YeoSeptember 23, 2022
Analysis

Perceived threat of China tempers hostility between South Koreans and Japanese

Opinion polls show improving perceptions of neighbor in both democracies, though tensions could easily flare up again

Justin YeoJustin YeoSeptember 13, 2022
Analysis

Seoul avoids diplomatic disaster in forced labor dispute with Japan — for now

Supreme Court could still order Japanese firm to pay reparations, a move that would incite cycle of mutual retaliation

Justin YeoJustin YeoAugust 23, 2022
Analysis

South Korea seeks reset with Japan. But does Tokyo want one too?

Yoon administration wants to shore up relations with largest democracy and US ally in region, but Japan has trust issues

Justin YeoJustin YeoJuly 21, 2022