Korea Chair

The Korea Chair is the premier independent platform in Washington, D.C. for the advancement of major policy issues of common importance to the people of the Republic of Korea and the United States

Through nonpartisan, expert analysis and cutting-edge, data-driven research on ongoing policy opportunities and security challenges facing the region, the Korea Chair promotes a greater understanding of relations between the United States, Korea, and Asia.

The Korea Chair examines issues ranging from politics, economy, and foreign policy to economic security, geopolitics, and non-proliferation. The program runs Beyond Parallel, a microsite dedicated to Korean unification, and employs satellite imagery analysis to monitor and track developments on and around the peninsula. Beyond Parallel also houses years of accumulated databases on nuclear diplomacy, unification, and the US-Korea alliance.

New projects that look beyond the peninsula include the role of the G7 in global governance and the weaponization of economic interdependence. The program actively promotes policy discussion in Washington and Seoul through the Impossible State podcast and the Capital Cable series live on YouTube.

Dr. Victor Cha, a former White House official and Georgetown University distinguished professor, is leading the Korea program as the inaugural chairholder since 2009.

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Meet Our Experts

Meet our network of experts, staff, and non-resident affiliates who contribute to the Korea Chair's analysis.

Contact Information

  • Minchi Hyun
  • Special Assistant to the President, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Program Manager, Korea Chair
  • MHyun@csis.org

Media Queries

Featured Analysis

Photo: Insung Jeon via Getty Images

Photo: Insung Jeon via Getty Images

Don’t Miss the Boat: Considerations for U.S.-South Korea Maritime Cooperation

As China’s shipbuilding surge outpaces U.S. capacity, the U.S. Navy’s fleet readiness faces critical gaps. Leveraging South Korea’s world-class shipyards for maintenance and new-build collaboration could revitalize the United States' maritime strength and supply chain resilience.

Commentary by Namyeon Kwon — June 12, 2025

See all analysis by the Korea Chair

Upcoming Event

Live in 3 days
Webcast

Korea-Japan Relations: What to Expect? | The Capital Cable #115

Presented by Korea Chair
June 16, 2025 • 9:30 – 10:15 am EDT

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Don’t Miss the Boat: Considerations for U.S.-South Korea Maritime Cooperation

As China’s shipbuilding surge outpaces U.S. capacity, the U.S. Navy’s fleet readiness faces critical gaps. Leveraging South Korea’s world-class shipyards for maintenance and new-build collaboration could revitalize the United States' maritime strength and supply chain resilience.

Commentary by Namyeon Kwon — June 12, 2025

Raised Destroyer Arrives at Najin

Recent satellite image shows the destroyer which failed launching at Chongjin has now been moved to Najin shipyard for restoration.

Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — June 9, 2025

The Impossible State

South Korea's New President

In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Pacheco Pardo, and Mr. Sydney Seiler discussed South Korea’s new president, the foreign policy challenges facing the incoming administration, and the implications of the election for U.S.–ROK relations and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha, Sydney Seiler, and Ramon Pacheco Pardo — June 9, 2025

CSIS The Impossible State North Korea

Second Choe Hyon Destroyer at Chongjin Raised

Latest satellite imagery shows North Korea having successfully completed the initial salvage operations on the DDGHM at Chongjin.

Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — June 5, 2025

Audio Briefs

South Korea’s New President: Frying Pan to Fire

An audio version of “⁠South Korea’s New President: Frying Pan to Fire⁠,” a new Critical Questions by Victor Cha and Andy Lim. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha and Andy Lim — June 3, 2025

Audio Briefs