Ihn-Hwi PARK, Dean of the Graduate School of International Studies at Ewha Womans University, assesses that the South Korea-U.S., South Korea-China, and U.S.-China summit meetings held during the 2025 Gyeongju APEC summit presented significant diplomatic agendas for the Korean Peninsula. The author particularly argues that North Korea is likely to view the summits with unease, as the summit outcomes appear to somewhat offset its recent diplomatic achievements, especially given President Lee Jae Myung's securing of fuels for nuclear-powered submarines from the United States. Dean Park recommend...

Commentary

• Ihn-Hwi PARK
• November 12, 2025

Professor Jihwan Hwang at the University of Seoul analyzes the history of U.S.-North Korea summits to clarify the conditions under which Kim Jong Un will be motivated to engage in negotiations with Trump. The author argues that Kim Jong-un requires (1) confidence that substantive agreements can be reached, (2) thorough prior contact and preparation, and (3) a catalyst to disrupt solidarity among North Korea, China, and Russia. Accordingly, Professor Hwang recommends that the South Korean government pursue multi-dimensional diplomacy by maintaining attempts to diplomatically engage with North K...

Commentary

• Jihwan HWANG
• November 03, 2025

Dong Ryul Lee, Professor in the Department of Chinese Studies at Dongduk Women's University, warns that concerns over the North Korea-China-Russia alignment, appearing after China's recent Victory Day celebrations, are being overstated. The author observes that simplifying the situation into bloc structures could cause the South Korean government to miss opportunities to develop sophisticated and diverse diplomatic strategies. Professor Lee suggests that while the South Korean government should brace for the possibility of North Korea-China-Russia solidarity, it must also simultaneously prepar...

Commentary

• Dong Ryul LEE
• October 27, 2025