President Trump and Korea

Timely expert analyses of what a second Trump administration brings to the Korean Peninsula

A second Trump term could most fundamentally change the Korean Peninsula. 2024’s drumbeat of North Korean ballistic missile tests will put Trump in a position similar to the one he faced in 2017. But he is unlikely to respond by threatening to rain “fire and fury” on Kim. He already appears, instead, to be considering an overhaul of his North Korea approach, prioritizing cutting a deal with Kim to stop nuclear testing in exchange for lifting U.S. sanctions. The Korea Chair closely tracks new developments on the Korean Peninsula to see what changes the new Trump administration will bring.

This project is made possible with general support from CSIS.

Contact Information

All President Trump and Korea Content

Filter by

1 - 10 of 19 results

Not a Time for Arms Control With North Korea

The U.S. proposal of arms control, were it to happen, will undo the current structure of deterrence against North Korea’s nuclear threats. It will convince North Korea that its nuclear ambitions have been vindicated as the right course of action and lead it to demand a heavy price.

Newsletter by Ho-Young Ahn — March 18, 2026

SCOTUS Ruling and Korea

The Supreme Court’s ruling on the consolidated cases of V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump and Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump is expected tomorrow. Here are some key numbers to keep in mind with this impending decision.

Newsletter by Victor Cha — January 8, 2026

South Korea’s Response to U.S. Demands: Minimize Risk, Maximize Reward

South Korea has contended with changes under President Trump not by resisting, but by embracing them with a "let's make a deal" attitude, allowing it to minimize risk and maximize reward while using the unconventionality of the administration to advance its own agenda.

Commentary by Victor Cha — October 6, 2025

The Future of the ROK-U.S. Alliance: Adapting to a Changing World

For more than seven decades, the ROK–U.S. alliance has stood as an ironclad partnership, shaping not only the security of the Korean Peninsula but also the broader trajectory of the Republic of Korea (ROK)’s national development. Today, however, the question of how to modernize this alliance has come to the forefront.

Newsletter by Kyeongdoo Jeong — September 30, 2025