Jihwan Hwang, Professor at the University of Seoul, examines the impact of President Trump's "America First" foreign policy on U.S.-DPRK relations, highlighting the risks of “unstrategic impatience.” While Trump has expressed interest in direct engagement with Kim Jong Un, his transactional approach and shifting priorities raise concerns about inconsistency and the potential marginalization of South Korea. Hwang advises South Korea to restore communication channels with North Korea, ensure its active role in future negotiations, and reinforce trilateral coordination with the U.S. and Japan...

Commentary

• Jihwan HWANG
• March 18, 2025

Dong Ryul Lee, Chair of EAI’s China Research Center and Professor at Dongduk Women’s University, examines the evolving North Korea-China relationship under the second Trump administration. He argues that while Pyongyang seeks stronger ties with Beijing amid deepening cooperation with Moscow, China remains cautious, balancing its strategic interests amid U.S.-China tensions and the Ukraine war. Lee warns that a potential Trump-Putin rapprochement could weaken North Korea’s military ties with Russia, increasing its reliance on China. Given these uncertainties, he underscores the need for S...

Commentary

• Dong Ryul LEE
• March 14, 2025

Won Gon Park, Chair of EAI’s Center for North Korea Studies and Professor at Ewha Womans University, explores the potential for leadership collapse in North Korea under Kim Jong Un. He identifies three key challenges to regime stability: the expansion of marketization weakening state control, the erosion of ideological legitimacy among younger generations, and North Korea’s shift from unification policy to institutionalized hostility toward South Korea. However, Park contends that leadership collapse remains uncertain due to the regime’s entrenched coercive mechanisms, the absence of via...

Commentary

• Won Gon PARK
• March 05, 2025