About Stimson

Korea Program

Promoting greater understanding of relations between the United States and the Korean Peninsula to help address some of the world’s most pressing traditional and nontraditional security challenges.

The Korea Program at the Stimson Center is a policy research and engagement hub dedicated to advancing understanding of South Korea, U.S.–Korea relations and their broader global implications. The program combines in-depth research with high-level dialogues among policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and civil society to inform actionable strategies and policy for both governments and stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Three Pillars for the program are as follows:

U.S.-ROK Alliance and Regional Leadership. Examining how the U.S.–ROK alliance can adapt to emerging security challenges amid shifting regional order. It facilitates bilateral and multilateral dialogues, produces policy analyses on extended deterrence and maritime security, and develops public opinion studies on regional cooperation.

The Economic Security and Technology Cooperation. Aligning South Korea’s strategic technologies with U.S. Critical and Emerging Technologies (CETs). Through policy research, expert councils, and pilot projects, the program promotes joint innovation and cooperation in areas such as semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, robotics, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing, among others.

Korea's Democracy and Society in the 21st Century. Tracking the health of democracy and democratic institution in South Korea with a special focus on election, civic engagement, media integrity, and interparliamentary cooperation. Through surveys, workshops, and research, the program seeks to support democratic resilience and institutional trust.

Through these three pillars, the Korea Program establishes the Stimson Center as a leading platform for integrated analysis of South Korea’s geopolitics, economics, and society and aims to stand alongside other major research programs in Washington, DC as the preeminent venue for Korea-focused research, dialogue, and leadership development.

Program Team

J. James Kim

Program Director

Sean (Hyuk Hyun) Kwon

Nonresident Fellow

Projects

Countering AI Disinformation and Implications for the US-ROK Alliance

A survey of the current AI landscape, how these technologies are leveraged for misinformation and disinformation campaigns, and ways the U.S. and its allies can foster cooperation to mitigate these risks.

Economic Security and Technology Cooperation

Building a U.S.–Korea framework for joint innovation and coordination across critical and emerging technologies driving cooperation in economic security.

U.S.-ROK Alliance and Regional Leadership

Advancing a forward-looking U.S.–Korea alliance through research, strategic dialogue, security cooperation, and regional policy innovation in the Indo-Pacific.

Korea’s Democracy and Society in the 21st Century

Strengthening democratic resilience in Korea through research, dialogue, civic engagement, media integrity, and interparliamentary cooperation.

Nuclearization Debates: Lesson for South Korea

Examining critical issues regarding nuclear dynamics and security challenges facing the Korean Peninsula, drawing from South Asia’s experiences.

Research

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Report

Smartphones of North Korea 2024

In this new report, Martyn Williams examines smartphones, the smartphone market, and wireless networks in North Korea

September 26, 2024

Commentary

Profile: New ROK Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun

Following his appointment as South Korea’s new defense minister, this profile provides an overview of Kim Yong-hyun’s background and key positions

September 10, 2024

Commentary

Kaesong Industrial Complex: A Tortured History and Uncertain Future

Using GEOINT analysis, this article examines the uptick in activity at North Korea’s Kaesong Industrial Complex

September 4, 2024

Commentary

Will South Korea’s Defense Industry Boom Change U.S.-ROK Military Relations?

South Korea's defense industry growth signifies opportunities for increased security independence, but is unlikely to shake up the country's military partnership with the US

August 19, 2024

Commentary

An Insurance Plan for Peace: Trilateral Security Pact Between South Korea, US, and Japan

South Korea joins the US and Japan in formalizing trilateral security cooperation to counter growing threats from North Korea and China.

July 31, 2024

Commentary

Yoon’s Clap Back to the Putin-Kim Summit

The NATO Summit addressed the emerging Russia-North Korea alliance, highlighting global security challenges and South Korea’s pivotal role in response.

July 12, 2024