Ellen Kim

Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Korea Chair
Ellen Kim

Ellen Kim is deputy director of the Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where she is also a senior fellow. Her research focuses on U.S.-Korea relations and U.S.-China strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific. She joined the Korea Chair upon its inception in 2009 and previously served as associate director and fellow before her departure in 2015. Her recent publications include "North Korea without Change” (with Victor Cha in The International Relations of Asia, edited by David Shambaugh, Rowman & Littlefield, forthcoming 2022) and "Between a Rock and a Hard Place: South Korea’s Strategic Dilemmas with China and the United States” (with Victor Cha, Asia Policy, January 2016). She holds a PhD in political science and international relations from the University of Southern California, an MPP from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and a BA in international relations and Japanese studies from Wellesley College.

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ROK-U.S. Strategic Forum 2023

Please join us for the 8th annual ROK-U.S. Strategic Forum, our premier international forum that brings together officials, policymakers, and experts to discuss issues important to the U.S.-ROK alliance.

Event — September 25, 2023

The Impossible State

A Renewed Axis: Putin and Kim

In this episode, Dr. Ellen Kim is joined by Dr. Angela Stent and Dr. Victor Cha to discuss the second summit between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, the significance of the meeting at the spaceport, and the reactions of the United States and South Korea to this summit.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha and Ellen Kim — September 19, 2023

CSIS The Impossible State North Korea

Summit between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin

The second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in September 2023 marks the tightening of the Russia-North Korea axis and a growing cooperation on arms and possibly strategic weapons technology.

Critical Questions by Victor Cha and Ellen Kim — September 13, 2023

A Renewed Axis: Growing Military Cooperation Between North Korea and Russia

The White House’s acknowledgement this week of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s possible trip later this month to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin is only the latest evidence of a growing military alignment between North Korea and Russia.

Commentary by Victor Cha and Ellen Kim — September 6, 2023

Reviewing the Camp David Trilateral Summit

On August 29th the CSIS Asia Program hosted a reflection on the Trilateral Summit at Camp David, featuring NSC Coordinator for the Indo Pacific Dr. Kurt Campbell, Ambassador Tomita Koji of Japan, and Ambassador Cho Hyundong of South Korea.

Event — August 29, 2023

Press Briefing: Previewing the Camp David Trilateral Summit

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) will host a call-in press briefing on Monday, August 14, at 2:30 p.m. EDT, to preview the first stand alone trilateral summit between President Biden, Prime Minister Kishida, and President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Event — August 14, 2023

What Is Yoon’s NATO Strategy?

Last week, President Yoon attended the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. This is his second time participating in the summit. What is driving his active engagement with NATO?

Commentary by Ellen Kim — July 19, 2023