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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Media Queries

Featured Analysis

Recent Developments Along the China-North Korea Border

Satellite images of the NK-China border indicate that trade between the two countries is gradually recovering to pre-pandemic levels. However, this restoration of trade was upended when unusually heavy rains struck the area in late July.

Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — September 30, 2024

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The Black Box

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Victor Cha — September 26, 2024

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Recent Event

The Impossible State Live Podcast: The Black Box

Presented by Korea Chair
September 23, 2024 • 11:00 – 11:40 am EDT

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Audio Briefs

South Korea and Japan Cement Bilateral Security Ties

An audio version of “South Korea and Japan Cement Bilateral Security Ties,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Christopher B. Johnstone and Victor Cha. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Christopher B. Johnstone and Victor Cha — June 4, 2024

Audio Briefs

South Korea and Japan Cement Bilateral Security Ties

Almost unnoticed in the Western press, on June 1, the South Korean and Japanese defense minister reached an agreement on the margins of the Shangri-La Dialogue to normalize bilateral defense ties, which was easily the most significant outcome from the event.

Commentary by Christopher B. Johnstone and Victor Cha — June 4, 2024

The Axis of Upheaval: Capital Cable #95

On the 95th episode of The Capital Cable, we are joined by Richard Fontaine to discuss the "axis of upheaval" and how America's adversaries, China, Iran, North Korea and Russia are uniting to overtn the global order. 

Event — May 30, 2024

Another Failed Satellite Launch at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station

A recent failed launch attempt of another reconnaissance satellite by North Korea is a clear demonstration of the political importance assigned to launches by Kim Jong-un and his desire to meet the goal of launching three satellites in 2024.

Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — May 28, 2024

The AI Seoul Summit

Gregory C. Allen and Georgia Adamson discuss the objectives and outcomes of the AI Seoul Summit, the second AI safety summit co-hosted by the Republic of Korea and United Kingdom on May 21 and 22, 2024.  

Critical Questions by Gregory C. Allen and Georgia Adamson — May 23, 2024

Future of North Korea Policy: Capital Cable #94

Join us for the 94th episode of the Capital Cable with Ms. Allison Hooker, former Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asia to discuss the future of North Korea policy. 

Event — May 16, 2024