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

Filter

Commentary

Siegfried Hecker on the New Russia-DPRK Relationship and Nuclear Cooperation

Following Kim Jong Un's visit to Russia, Distinguished Fellow Joel Wit and Dr. Siegfried Hecker discuss changes in Russia-DPRK relations as their nuclear ties deepen

September 21, 2023

Commentary

The Sleeper Has Awakened: Six Key Takeaways From the Rollout of North Korea’s “Tactical Nuclear Attack Submarine”

Vann Van Diepen reviews six key takeaways from North Korea's rollout of the "tactical nuclear attack submarine" announced on September 8

September 11, 2023

Commentary

Takeaways from the Camp David Summit

Experts weigh in on the recent U.S.-Japan-ROK summit at Camp David and what it means for Japan, South Korea, and the Indo-Pacific

August 25, 2023

Commentary

North Korea’s Energy Sector: Unrealized Wind and Tidal Power Potential

Despite North Korea’s potential in wind and tidal power development and generation, little notable progress has been made

August 14, 2023

Report

Risk Reduction and Crisis Management on the Korean Peninsula

Mats Engman and Frida Lampinen highlight a risk management framework that reaches beyond traditional security measures on the Korean Peninsula

July 27, 2023

Commentary

North Korea’s Energy Sector: Civilian Solar Power

DPRK defector interviews, state media and satellite imagery point to an uptick in personal solar installations as citizens adopt a "do-it-yourself" attitude

May 12, 2023

Commentary

Understanding Kim Jong Un’s Economic Policymaking: Key Findings & Implications

Researchers Robert Carlin and Rachel Minyoung Lee wrap up the “Understanding Kim Jong Un’s Economic Policymaking” project by highlighting key findings and implications

February 23, 2023

Commentary

Understanding Kim Jong Un’s Economic Policymaking: Juche and Foreign Trade

Unpacking how North Korean economic journals use the topic of Juche (self-reliance) to build the case for broadening, rather than limiting, foreign trade

February 16, 2023

8 of 40