CSIS Korea Chair

🗓️AUG 14, WED | 11 - 11:45 AM EDT

Please join the CSIS Impossible State podcast for a special discussion on recent developments in North Korea. The conversation will be moderated by Victor Cha and feature Bruce Klingner, Senior Research Fellow for Northeast Asia at The Heritage Foundation.

Register here | https://buff.ly/3Yxkt4h

We are very excited to announce the 2024-2025 CSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies- USC Korean Studies Institute NextGen Scholars!

💠Donna Lee Kwon, Ciara Sterbenz, Joseph Seeley, Hannah Kim, So Jin Lee, David Fields, Kristi Govella, Carolyn Choi, Soosun You, James Dongjin Kim

For more information | https://t.co/um8KiZiZI4

"The world benefits from a G7 fit for purpose, but the grouping badly needs an upgrade. First, the G7 needs an infusion of new players. Australia and South Korea should be at the front of the line," write and Dr. John Hamre.

A Reimagined G7 The G7 must transform from an old boys' club of financiers to a coalition of action-oriented, like-minded partners inspired to sustain the rules-based international order. They must consider serious reforms that enhance the G7’s capabilities, effectiveness, and legitimacy.

📕BOOK TALK
July 24 | 11:00 AM EDT

Join for a discussion with former North Korean diplomat Thae Yong-ho on his new book, 'Passcode to the Third Floor: An Insider's Account of Life Among North Korea's Political Elite.'

RSVP here: https://buff.ly/4bJooxE

"It is on the diplomatic front where fault can be found. Biden is on autopilot when it comes to North Korea, recycling talking points on denuclearization circa the Obama administration," writes in light of the recent Putin and Kim summit.

A Threat Like No Other: Russia-North Korea Military Cooperation The military relationship between Russia and North Korea as a result of the war in Ukraine has grave implications for European, Indo-Pacific, and U.S. homeland security.

North Korea’s nuclear program expansion continues, Beyond Parallel analysis of the Yongbyon Nuclear Research Center using thermal infrared (TIR) images shows.

This analysis assesses concerning operational status of key facilities at the center⬇️

Enhancing Understanding of Yongbyon Through Thermal Imagery: Part 1 - Beyond Parallel TIR (TIR) analysis via LANDSAT 8 and 9 imagery over two years provides key insights into Yongbyon nuclear facilities' operations, highlighting the intricate strengths and limitations of thermal imagery for operational assessment.

"The balloons from South Korea show aspirations for a better future, while the balloons from North Korea reflect the reality and difficulties of life in a closed state," write and Andy Lim.

Garbage, Balloons, and Korean Unification Values North Korea’s campaign utilizing garbage-filled balloons is the latest manifestation of North Korea’s new “decoupling” policy from South Korea, showcasing the Kim regime's anger with both the conservative and liberal political groups in South Korea.

"The G7 must transform from an old boys club of financiers chatting about monetary policy to a coalition of action-oriented, like-minded partners inspired to sustain the rules-based international order," writes for .

Special contribution by CSIS Senior Vice President for Asia Victor Cha | Yonhap News Agency WASHINGTON, June, 22 (Yonhap) -- The following is the full text of a special contribution ...

"Two leaders don't sign a security agreement for some tactical purposes. It shows a long-term strategic purpose on both sides," says about the recent military pact signed by Putin and Kim.

Watch the latest episode of Capital Cable⬇️

Australia and the Two Koreas | The Capital Cable #96 For this episode of the Capital Cable, we are joined by Mr. Gordon Flake, the founding Chief Executive Officer of the Perth USAsia Centre at The University o...

"Trump’s guiding principle on foreign policy is not the defense of freedom, democratic values, or the rules-based international order. Instead, Trump is motivated primarily by mercantilist instincts and egoism," writes for .

America’s Asian Partners Are Not Worried Enough About Trump His return could destabilize the region.

During the past five weeks, North Korea has sequentially undertaken significant moves of its SSB, SSBA, and submersible missile test stand barge at both the Sinpo South Shipyard and Sinpo Shipyard’s graving dock.

via Beyond Parallel

Recent Ballistic Missile Submarine Movements at Sinpo - Beyond Parallel In an exceptional surge of activity during the past five weeks, North Korea has undertaken moves at Sinpo of the Hero Kim Kun Ok ballistic missile submarine (SSB), the 8.24 Yongung experiment ballistic missile submarine (SSBA), and the submersible missile test stand barge.

"The combination of the summit and the security treaty achieved North Korea’s longtime goal: to be accepted as a nuclear weapon state. So what comes next for Kim?" says Sydney Seiler, CEO of .

Watch the full episode of Impossible State via link in bio.

“The two theatres are no longer separate; they have collapsed in a way that North Korea has been supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. This provides the opportunity for South Korea to do things,” says Dr. Victor Cha.

Watch the full episode⬇️
https://buff.ly/3W27uo9

📕BOOK TALK
July 24 | 11:00 AM EDT

Join for a discussion with former North Korean diplomat Thae Yong-ho on his new book, 'Passcode to the Third Floor: An Insider's Account of Life Among North Korea's Political Elite.'

Also with and Chris Walsh

RSVP here: https://buff.ly/4bJooxE

July 23 | 9:00 AM EDT

Join us for the 2024 International Dialogue on North Korean Human Rights. Co-hosted by
, Ministry of Unification, and National Endowment for Democracy, and Human Asia, this conference aims to share the reality of North Korean human rights to a global audience.

RSVP | https://buff.ly/3S1tgHI

What is the significance of Putin's recent visit to North Korea? How have South Korea and the West reacted?

We turned to expert Dr. Victor Cha for answers.

Putin to North Korea | Asked & Answered This week, Vladimir Putin visited North Korea for the first time in nearly a quarter century. What is the significance of the security agreement signed betwe...

"The combination of the summit and the security treaty achieved North Korea’s longtime goal: to be accepted as a nuclear weapon state. So what comes next for Kim?" says Scott Snyder, CEO of the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI).

Watch the full episode of Impossible State |

A Threat Like No Other - The Russia-North Korea Alliance | The Impossible State On the newest episode of the Impossible State podcast, we present special discussion on the Russia-North Korea Alliance. The conversation was moderated by Dr...

Eyes Wide Open: Strategic Elite Views of South Korea’s Nuclear Options

New Washington Quarterly article by Dr. Victor Cha on whether South Korea sit on the nuclear precipice.

Read here: https://buff.ly/4eRQZDP
Download here: https://buff.ly/460fFGm

CLOSES TONIGHT: We are seeking applicants for our Fall 2024 internship.

🗓️Please submit your applications by Friday, July 12, at 11:59 PM.

For more information, visit ⬇️
https://buff.ly/3W4TLOL

"Trump doesn't have any particular conviction that Taiwan needs to be defended. It's a source of leverage over Xi Jinping, and it's not because he wants to protect democratic values,"" says Dr. Victor Cha in an interview with SBS news.

"트럼프, 타이완으로 거래할 수도"…미 백악관 NSC 출신 '빅터 차 석좌'의 경고 / SBS 뉴스 / 딥빽 라이칭더 타이완 신임 총통이 취임하자, 중국군은 보란 듯이 타이완 포위 훈련을 했습니다. 사실상 침공을 위한 예행 연습이 아니냐는 의구심이 제기된 가운데, 미국도 경계를 늦추지 않았습니다. 타이완군 참모총장도 지난 4월...

A map of North Korea's garbage-filled balloons⬇️

Dr. Victor Cha and Andy Lim explain why garbage, balloons, and Korean unification are behind North Korea's latest action.

Read here: https://buff.ly/3RYwz24

During the past five years, North Korea has undertaken numerous small and significant changes at many of its ballistic missile operating bases.

This second part of Beyond Parallel’s missile operating bases update covers developments at Sakkanmol, Sangnam-ni, Sino-ri, and Yusang-ni Missile Operating Bases.

https://buff.ly/3VQ9OhZ

You Ji Tae, a South Korean actor, film director and screenwriter, will join 's 2024 International Dialogue on North Korean Human Rights as a panelist on July 23rd.

He is also the ambassador for North Korea Human Rights at the Ministry of Unification.

RSVP here⬇️
https://buff.ly/3S1tgHI

"The balloons from South Korea show aspirations for a better future, while the balloons from North Korea reflect the reality and difficulties of life in a closed state," write and Andy Lim in a new analysis.

Read more: https://buff.ly/3WjsMPH

APPLY NOW: We are seeking applicants for our Fall 2024 internship.

🗓️Please submit your applications by Friday, July 12, at 11:59 PM.

For more information, visit ⬇️
https://buff.ly/3XUi0jR

"If Trump gets a second chance at the presidency, he is even more likely than before to see allies as trade adversaries, reduce the U.S. military footprint worldwide, befriend autocratic leaders, and challenge the norms that have thus far secured nuclear nonproliferation in Asia," writes for Foreign Affairs Magazine,

Read more: https://buff.ly/3xCCUJB

🗓️July 11 | 9:30 AM EDT

For this episode of the Capital Cable, and Council on Foreign Relations experts will discuss the upcoming Summit in Washington, DC, and the security challenges facing NATO, including the war in Ukraine.

RSVP via link in bio.

📕BOOK TALK
July 24 | 11:00 AM EDT

Join for a discussion with former North Korean diplomat Thae Yong-ho on his new book, 'Passcode to the Third Floor: An Insider's Account of Life Among North Korea's Political Elite.'

RSVP here: https://buff.ly/3xEuSjD

This report finds that concerns about South Korea’s nuclear ambitions are exaggerated.

The author conducted the first U.S. multi-question polling of strategic elites in South Korea on the nuclear question and found that the vast majority of South Korean strategic elites (66 percent) do not favor nuclearization and confidence in the United States as a security provider remains strong.

The new findings of this study have significant policy implications and the author provides several recommendations for the United States.

Read the full report via link in bio.

Our Beyond Parallel database on North Korean provocations⬇️

414 provocations since 1958
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112 Kim Il-sung
75 Kim Jong-il
227 Kim Jong-un

Missile | Nuclear | Other provocations (by event)
Access here: https://buff.ly/3RYqEu7