Defense & Security
South Korea must make maritime security a pillar of its Indo-Pacific strategy
Emerging threats require Seoul to focus less on ground forces and pursue naval cooperation with regional partners
January 2, 2023
Why Seoul’s military budget won’t budge even after North Korean drone debacle
President blames cuts to drone operations for security failures, but parties are in no mood for another budget fight
December 27, 2022
South Korean media diverge on whether Japan’s new security strategy poses threat
Seoul responded diplomatically to beefed-up defense plans, but anti-Japan sentiment looms over efforts to improve ties
December 23, 2022
Big year for South Korean arms sales masks vulnerabilities in national defense
ROK faces ammunition shortages and shrinking troop numbers even as weapons industry seeks to project military strength
December 16, 2022
How fear of China helps drive discussions about South Korean nukes
Some in Seoul not only fault Beijing for failing to curtail North Korea but seek an answer to Chinese military might
December 6, 2022
The three big drivers of the South Korean defense industry
Seoul may very well succeed in goal of making ROK a top 4 global weapons exporter — if it can overcome supply issues
November 28, 2022
As reunification hopes fade, South Koreans favor US alliance more than ever
Anti-Americanism largely a thing of the past, though both ROK left and right favor indigenous nuclear program
November 21, 2022
Great power rivalry limits the extent to which Yoon and Xi can work together
South Korea and China appeared at odds on North Korea and economic issues at first bilateral summit since pandemic
November 17, 2022
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
November 16, 2022
The Rising Sun will rise again? ROK fears of Japanese militarism linger on
Controversy over South Korea’s attendance at Japan’s fleet review reflects precarious efforts to improve relations
November 9, 2022
