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.
Join our mailing list, subscribe to the Impossible State podcast, and follow us on X to receive the Korea Chair’s latest analysis and event invitations.
Contact Information
- Minchi Hyun
- Special Assistant to the President, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Program Manager, Korea Chair
- MHyun@csis.org
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- ASchwartz@csis.org
- Sofia Chavez
- Media Relations Manager, External Relations
- 202.775.7317
- SChavez@csis.org
Featured Analysis

Photo: Insung Jeon via Getty Images
Don’t Miss the Boat: Considerations for U.S.-South Korea Maritime Cooperation
Commentary by Namyeon Kwon — June 12, 2025

Suspected Uranium Enrichment Building at Yongbyon
Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — June 12, 2025

Launching of North Korea’s Second Choe Hyon-Class Destroyer
Commentary — June 12, 2025

Raised Destroyer Arrives at Najin
Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — June 9, 2025

South Korea's New President
Podcast Episode by Victor Cha, Sydney Seiler, and Ramon Pacheco Pardo — June 9, 2025
Upcoming Event
Korea-Japan Relations: What to Expect? | The Capital Cable #115
All Korea Chair Content
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Looking Forward: The Future of United States-Japan-Korea Trilateral Relations
Event — June 18, 2025
Korea-Japan Relations: What to Expect? | The Capital Cable #115
Event — June 16, 2025
Don’t Miss the Boat: Considerations for U.S.-South Korea Maritime Cooperation
Commentary by Namyeon Kwon — June 12, 2025
Suspected Uranium Enrichment Building at Yongbyon
Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — June 12, 2025
Raised Destroyer Arrives at Najin
Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — June 9, 2025
South Korea's New President
Podcast Episode by Victor Cha, Sydney Seiler, and Ramon Pacheco Pardo — June 9, 2025

2025 South Korean Presidential Election: What's Next? | The Capital Cable #114
Event — June 5, 2025
Second Choe Hyon Destroyer at Chongjin Raised
Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — June 5, 2025
The Impossible State Live Podcast: Live Analysis: South Korea's New President
Event — June 3, 2025
South Korea’s New President: Frying Pan to Fire
Podcast Episode by Victor Cha and Andy Lim — June 3, 2025
