Korea Chair
The CSIS Korea Chair presents the “The Capital Cable” series live on YouTube, a new breaking news analysis program. With a new episode every two weeks, The Capital Cable provides cutting edge expert analysis of events on the Korean peninsula and how it impacts the U.S. and Asia. Hosted by former U.S. ambassador to Korea for President Barack Obama Mark Lippert and with regular participants Victor Cha and Sue Terry, The Capital Cable features special guests every episode from the US and Korean governments, experts, and opinion leaders. Archived episodes can be found here.
In 2019, the CSIS Korea Chair celebrated its tenth anniversary as the premier independent platform in Washington for the advancement of major policy issues of common importance to the people of the Republic of Korea and the United States. Korea occupies a central place in U.S. strategy in Asia and plays a critical role in shaping peace and stability in the world's most prosperous and growing region.
Through nonpartisan, expert analysis of ongoing policy opportunities and security challenges facing the region, the CSIS Korea Chair promotes a greater understanding of relations between the United States, Korea, and Asia.
The CSIS Korea Chair conducts independent policy research on multiple issue-areas ranging from security to business to cybersecurity to global health. The Chair convenes public and private sector stakeholders for in-depth discussions and policy research.
CSIS appointed Dr. Victor Cha, former White House official and Georgetown University professor as the inaugural chair holder in 2009.
To celebrate its tenth anniversary, the Korea Chair will engage in new, cutting edge projects that will push the bounds of policy research on Korea, including satellite imagery, microsurveys, and big data/predictive analytics.
North Korea's Uranium Plant at Pyongsan
Satellite imagery shows both activity and growth at the Pyongsan Uranium Concentrate plant —indicating North Korea's capacity to grow their nuclear weapons program. This is also the sole known producer of yellowcake that fuels North Korea’s nuclear program. CSIS's Victor Cha and imagery analyst Joe Bermudez explain in newest CSIS “High Resolution” video.
Could a Trump Deal with Kim Jong Un be the October Surprise? John Bolton Seems to Think So
In this op-ed on NBC Think, Dr. Victor Cha explains why he thinks John Bolton’s memoir of his time in the White House presages a path to a potential “October surprise” deal with the rogue nation to burnish President Donald Trump's self-professed deal-making skills ahead of the November elections.
Turmoil at U.S. Agency for Global Media Undermines Information Policy for North Korea
In this Korea Chair Platform, Amb. Robert King explains how turmoil at U.S. Agency for Global Media undermines the critical role that outside information plays for North Korea, especially the broadcasts in Korean from Voice of America and Radio Free Asia.
The Unraveling of the U.S.-South Korean Alliance
In an analysis piece on Foreign Affairs, Dr. Sue Mi Terry discusses how U.S. president Donald Trump has allowed the U.S.-ROK alliance, a cornerstone of U.S. defense strategy in Asia to wither.
Two Years since Singapore: Did Kim Outplay Trump?
Two years after the landmark Singapore summit, CSIS experts Dr. Victor Cha and Dr. Sue Mi Terry assess the accomplishments that have been made, prospects for denuclearization on the Korean peninsula, and where U.S.-North Korea relations might be headed.
Burden-Sharing Talks are Distracting Washington and Seoul from the North Korean Threat
On The Washington Post, Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) and Dr. Victor Cha argues that President Trump should reach a cost-sharing deal with South Korea and work together with our allies on a strategy to face the security challenges posed by North Korea.
After Kim Jong Un
In Foreign Affairs, CSIS Korea Chair Katrin Katz and Victor Cha look at the possibility of Kim Jong Un’s premature death, and argue that it is time to plan for North Korea’s inevitable succession crisis and explain the urgent need for the United States to adopt a regional security strategy for North Korea.
Sil-li Ballistic Missile Support Facility
In a joint baseline analysis with Jane’s Intelligence Review, the Center for Strategic and International Studies surveys a previously undisclosed facility near Pyongyang International Airport in North Korea that is likely related to its expanding ballistic missile development program.
Kim Jong Un Alive and so is North Korea's Missile Program
In this episode, Victor Cha and Joseph Bermudez discuss the reappearance of Kim Jong Un and the breaking news surrounding satellite images CSIS released this week of a previously undisclosed North Korean missile facility.
Splendid Isolation: North Korea and COVID-19
CSIS created a unique dataset chronicling actions taken by North Korea in response to the last two major pandemics, Ebola (2014) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (2015). We then compared these findings with NK Pro’s study of North Korea's behavior during COVID-19.
A Timeline of South Korea’s Response to COVID-19
To document the trajectory of South Korea’s national response efforts against the spread of COVID-19, the CSIS Korea Chair created a timeline of events outlining policies and other measures implemented to date.
What's Happening with South Korea's Pandemic Response
South Korea has largely contained its outbreak of Covid-19 while many other countries struggle to flatten the curve. CSIS's Victor Cha explains the keys to South Korea's success, and explores what lessons the rest of the world can learn. This is what's happening with South Korea's pandemic response.
South Korea Offers a Lesson in Best Practices
In this Foreign Affairs piece, Dr. Victor Cha discusses South Korea’s response to COVID-19, and how their actions offers a lesson in best practices for the United States and other countries in responding to this devastating health crisis.
Regaining Lost Ground in the North Korean Human Rights Movement
In a new report with the George W. Bush Presidential Center, CSIS Victor Cha explains that a deal with North Korea is not possible without an improvement in the human condition. In the past, the United States privileged nuclear negotiations above all else. It became a policy truism to accept that the delicate negotiations would be made too indelicate by raising human rights with Pyongyang. Many negotiators feared that human rights discussions will distract from the main issue of denuclearization or even offend the regime and scuttle the talks. He offers ways in which we can regain lost ground in the North Korean human rights movement.
“Fire and Fury 2?”: Q1 2020 Provocations Reminiscent of Q1 2017
In a new Beyond Parallel post, CSIS Victor Cha and Dana Kim finds that recent provocations by North Korea in early 2020 is reminiscent of the provocations in Q1 2017.
North Korea Policy One Year After Hanoi
Ambassador Robert R. King, senior adviser (Non-resident) and Sue Mi Terry, senior fellow, Korea Chair, testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy on "North Korea Policy One Year After Hanoi."
For Amb. King’s testimony, please read full testimony here.
For Dr. Terry’s testimony, please read full testimony here.
Dr. Sue Mi Terry also filmed a short CSIS "Testify" video, where she explained in 2 minutes the major points and arguments of her testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Sohae Engine Test Part of Coercive Diplomacy Tactic as End-of-Year Deadline Approaches
What do CSIS Joe Bermudez and Victor Cha think of North Korea’s liquid-fuel rocket engine test at the vertical engine test stand at Sohae Satellite Launching Ground on December 7, 2019? They think it is part of North Korea’s coercive diplomacy tactic as Kim Jong-un’s end-of-year deadline approaches.
Sinpo Update: No Significant Developments
Based on recent satellite imagery of Sinpo South Shipyard reviewed by Joe Bermudez and Victor Cha, there is no evidence that the “newly built submarine” inspected by Kim Jong-un on July 23, 2019 has been launched.
U.S.-South Korea Cost-Sharing Negotiations Impacting Korean Public Support for U.S. Security Umbrella
How do U.S. and ROK citizens view the ongoing SMA negotiations surrounding defense cost-sharing? Predata signals suggest a significant perception gap emerging between the U.S. and South Korea. Victor Cha and Predata analysts discuss the heightened attention and the notable upticks in engagement with anti-U.S. content.
The 66-year alliance between the U.S. and South Korea is in deep trouble
In a Korea Chair Platform, CSIS Trustee Richard Armitage and CSIS Senior Advisor and Korea Chair Victor Cha discusses the troubles the U.S.-ROK alliance face.
Mining North Korea: Magnesite Production at the Taehung Youth Hero Mine
The Taehung Youth Hero Mine, located on the southern hill mass above Puktuilryong (Puktuil Pass), and the Ryongyang Mine are the largest magnesite mines in North Korea and some of the largest in the world. CSIS in conjunction with NGA took a deep dive into this important mine in North Korea.
North Korea’s Strong Hand Against the U.S.
In a Korea Chair Platform, CSIS Korea Chair Senior Fellow Sue Mi Terry discussed the few options the U.S. have with North Korea, and how North Korea now has a strong hand to use against the U.S.
JoongAng Ilbo-CSIS Forum 2019
On Monday, September 30, 2019, we hosted the 9th annual JoongAng Ilbo-CSIS Forum at CSIS, which brought together renowned scholars, experts and officials to talk about peace and denuclearization, seeking solutions to the Korea-Japan conflict, and U.S.-China relations.Our keynote speaker was Ambassador John Bolton, the National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump from 2018 to 2019.
Welcoming Remarks by Amb. Hong Seok-Hyun, Chairman of JoongAng Holdings
Keynote Address by Amb. John R. Bolton, the former National Security Advisor
Closing Keynote Address by The Honorable John C. Rood, the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy
North Korea’s Strong Hand Against the U.S.
In this Korea Chair Platform, Dr. Sue Mi Terry, Senior Fellow at the Korea Chair, argued that Kim Jong-un has been negotiating with the United States from a position of strength, and that he ultimately has no intention of denuclearizing North Korea.
Soft Diplomacy, Hard Stance
In the newest episode of The Impossible State podcast, Andrew talked with resident North Korea expert Victor Cha, and Dr. Kang Choi, acting president of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies about North Korea’s recent missile launch, South Korea-Japan relations, and more.
Collateral Damage: What U.S.-China Competition Means for Korea
CSIS Korea Chair Dr. Victor Cha explores the impact of U.S.-China competition for South Korea, and explain why caught between its security patron and its giant neighbor, South Koreans increasingly will be forced to choose between the two, and in ways that are detrimental to the longstanding U.S.-ROK alliance. While South Korea’s preferred position has always been to hedge between the U.S. and China, choosing one or the other now is difficult is difficult because of three dilemmas that South Korea face.
Sinpo Update: Significant Concealment Activity after Pukguksong Launch
The October 2, 2019 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test launch of the Pukguksong-3 has raised concerns over the forthcoming launch of North Korea’s first true ballistic missile submarine (SSB). What does CSIS Joe Bermudez, Victor Cha and Dana make of the significant concealment activity seen in a October 9 satellite image of the submersible test stand barge at Sinpo shipyard?
North Korea Fine Tunes its Sea-Based Ballistic Missile Capabilities
On October 2, 2019, North Korea tested what may have been a submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from waters northeast of the Wonsan, Kangwon Province area into the sea between Korea and Japan. CSIS Joseph Bermudez, Victor Cha and Dana Kim look at what this means for North Korea’s capabilities.
Undeclared North Korea: The Kumchon-ni Missile Operating Base
In this new Undeclared North Korea report by Joseph Bermudez and Victor Cha, CSIS Beyond Parallel looks at the Kumchon-ni missile operating base. This is the first comprehensive public report detailing the development, organization, and threat posed by the Kumchon-ni base, which is tasked with not only strikes against the southern half of Japan, but is also capable of striking all of South Korea, and houses a battalion- or regiment-sized unit equipped with Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER) medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBM).
The Importance of U.S.-Japan-Korea Trilateral Defense Cooperation
On August 28, CSIS Korea Chair and Japan Chair co-hosted The Honorable Randall Schriver, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs at the U.S. Department of Defense for an importance discussion on the importance of U.S.-Japan-Korea trilateral defense cooperation, moderated by Dr. Victor Cha.
CSIS on the Japan-Korea Crisis
The Japan-Korea crisis is important to regional relations in Asia and for the United States. Read what CSIS experts Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Katrin Katz, Mr. Matthew Goodman and others has to say about this critical issue.
U.S.-Korea NextGen Scholars Seoul Program
On July 31 – August 2, we held the Seoul Program of the U.S.-Korea NextGen Scholars Program in Seoul, South Korea. At the Seoul Program, the NextGen scholars participated in a series of meetings at the Blue House, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Unification, the U.S. Embassy Seoul and the Institute for National Security Strategy to discuss U.S.-ROK relations, U.S.-DPRK relations, inter-Korea relations, and ROK-Japan relations. The scholars also had the opportunity to meet with the NextGen senior advisors in Korea and members of the business and media communities to discuss their work. They also visited the new Chey Institute for Advanced Studies to learn about their initiatives. Lastly, the scholars spoke at about their research to professors and students at public events held at Korea University and Seoul National University.
High Resolution: North Korea's ICBM Threat
The Yusang-ni missile operating base is reported to house ICBMs with first strike capabilities against the United States. CSIS's Victor Cha and Joseph Bermudez explain why Yusang-ni stands out among North Korea's matrix of secret missile operating bases. Please visit Beyond Parallel to view the full video and read the report.A Small Deal Within a Big Deal
As the Kim-Trump meeting at the DMZ last week suggests a reset in the denuclearization diplomacy after the failed summit in Hanoi, the United States must fashion a new negotiation strategy. Here, Victor Cha of CSIS and Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA) offer some ideas for a strategy going forward (originally published in Chosun Ilbo, 2 June 2019).
Trump, North Korea, and the Rush for Peace
In the May/June 2019 edition of The National Interest, Dr. Victor Cha wrote about the South Korean government’s rush for a peace declaration with North Korea, the status of the U.S.-DPRK relations and the likelihood of a denuclearization agreement.
U.S. Policy Toward North Korea After the Second Summit
Victor Cha, senior adviser and Korea Chair for CSIS, testified before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee On East Asia, The Pacific, And International Cybersecurity Policy on “U.S. Policy Toward North Korea After the Second Summit” on March 26, 2019.
You can also watch a quick recap of his testimony in this new CSIS “Testify” video
North Korea’s No. 17 Explosives Factory: No Significant Activity
CSIS Joe Bermudez and Victor Cha looked at satellite imagery acquired on March 21, 2019 and over the past six months and found that the No. 17 Explosives Factory near Hamhung, North Korea is active. The No. 17 factory is important because it is one of the primary, if not the primary, producer of large solid-propellant rocket motors for ballistic missiles such as the Pukguksong-1 and-2.
U.S.-Korea NextGen Scholars Los Angeles Program
On March 13 – 15, we held the Los Angeles Program of the U.S.-Korea NextGen Scholars Program at USC. At the Los Angeles Program, the NextGen scholars participated in a writing workshop for their op-eds, media-training and videotaping for their Korea Questions videos, and professional development sessions on publishing and interviewing.
As part of the U.S.-Korea NextGen Scholars program, our eleven scholars will publish an op-ed as part of the program. These op-eds were workshopped at the Los Angeles Program, with feedback provided by the program chairs and the Senior Advisory Board throughout the program.
In this article, Dr. Katz argues that conflicts between South Korea and Japan plays into the hands of North Korea and China, and while U.S.’ mediation this time around may not reap immediate success, the costs of complacency are certain.
In this article, Dr. Kim argues that if Americans lose faith in alternative routes to success, entry to top universities could become as cut-throat as it is in South Korea.
Sohae Launch Facility Update: Quiet Since Early March
A new CSIS Beyond Parallel snapshot on March 19 by Joe Bermudez and Victor Cha finds no activity of significance at the vertical engine test stand or launch pad at the Sohae Satellite Launch Facility.
Undeclared North Korea: The Sangnam-ni Missile Operating Base
In the third of our series “Undeclared North Korea” looking at the approximately 20 undeclared missile bases by North Korea, CSIS Joseph Bermudez, Victor Cha and Lisa Collins looked in depth at the Sangnam-ni missile operating base in Hochon County in South Hamgyong province, North Korea. Sangnam-ni is an operational missile base that houses a battalion- or regiment-sized unit equipped with Hwasong-10 (Musudan) intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM).
North Korea Reportedly Renews Commitment to Dismantle the Sohae Launch Facility
In the run-up to a second Trump-Kim summit, South Korean diplomatic sources reported on Monday (January 28th) “Seoul and Washington last week confirmed that Pyongyang will scrap its Tongchang-ri [Sohae] missile engine test site and launch pad in the presence of international experts.” As of January 20, 2019, commercial satellite imagery of the Sohae Satellite Launch Facility shows that no new dismantling activity has occurred at the vertical engine test stand or rail-mounted processing building since August 2018. CSIS Victor Cha and Joe Bermudez explored in this snapshot what the latest satellite imagery tells us about the potential dismantlement at Sohae.
Undeclared North Korea: The Sino-ri Missile Operating Base and Strategic Force Facilities
Though the subject of speculation by open-source researchers for years, new research undertaken by CSIS Beyond Parallel has located 13 of an estimated 20 North Korean missile operating bases that are undeclared by the government. In the 2nd report of our series on these bases, Korea Chair’s Joseph Bermudez, Victor Cha and Lisa Collins explored the Sino-ri Missile Operating Base, which is located 212 kilometers north of the DMZ and houses a regiment-sized unit equipped with Nodong-1 medium-range ballistic missiles in depth.
Victor Cha assess diplomatic prospects for 2nd Trump-Kim summit in 2019
Dr. Victor Cha appeared on PBS Newshour on January 1, 2019 with Amna Nawaz and Jenny Town to analyze Kim Jong-un’s New Year address. The segment was viewed by U.S. president Donald Trump, who tweeted after the show.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2019
Making Solid Tracks: North Korea’s Railway Connections with China and Russia
With the December 26 groundbreaking ceremony at the Panmun station on the east side of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, North and South Korea are moving forward with inter-Korean railway cooperation as a key engine for advancing inter-Korean reconciliation and building the infrastructure for eventual unification. Railway re-connection would allow the Korean peninsula to be integrated into a rail network spanning the Eurasian continent through China and Russia. This report is the second in a series of CSIS original reports by Victor Cha, Joseph Bermudez and Marie DuMond on the inter-Korean and Korea-Eurasian railway connections including analysis, satellite imagery, and an overview of technical specifications.
Undeclared North Korea: The Sakkanmol Missile Operating Base
Though the subject of speculation by open-source researchers for years, new research was undertaken by CSIS Beyond Parallel has located 13 of an estimated 20 North Korean missile operating bases that are undeclared by the government. Missile operating bases are not launch facilities. In this new report, Korea Chair’s Joseph Bermudez, Victor Cha and Lisa Collins explored one such missile base in depth, the Sakkanmol Missile Operating Base, one of the closest to the DMZ and Seoul.
The Markets: Private Economy and Capitalism in North Korea?
The growth of markets is the single most significant socioeconomic development to occur in North Korea over the last 20 years. An understanding of this change is critical for the formulation of North Korea policy, but the underlying issues have been relatively understudied in comparison to North Korea’s nuclear weapons program and prospects for denuclearization. In 2017 and 2018, Beyond Parallel launched a pioneering and original data collection project on markets in North Korea to study the changes happening in the country. As featured in “North Korea’s ‘Money Masters’ Hold Keys to Kim’s Economic Revival” by Jonathan Cheng in the Wall Street Journal.
Health Security and North Korea: Film Screening and Discussion
On Monday, October 29 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America's Health Security hosted a screening of its new film, The Gathering Health Storm Inside North Korea, followed by a roundtable discussion with regional experts and providers of humanitarian assistance moderated by film co-director J. Stephen Morrison. Dr. Victor Cha and Dr. Sue Mi Terry both participated in the new film and in the film screening at CSIS.
A View Inside North Korea
Since 2016, CSIS has partnered with an organization that has a successful track record of conducting discrete and careful surveys in North Korea. Beyond Parallel has commissioned this organization to administer micro-survey questionnaires in provinces across North Korea. The questionnaires are carried out as natural in-person conversations between those conducting the interviews and the respondents. The individuals administering the questions are carefully trained to avoid asking leading questions or eliciting specific answers so as to protect both the integrity of the interview project and as well as safety of the people involved in the conversation. Explore the results and related commentaries by visiting the project page.
