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.

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

China Relocates PMZ Structure to Weihai Shipyard

The Atlantic Amsterdam, a Chinese platform that was a point of tension between South Korea and China due to its unilateral placement by Beijing in the Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ), arrived at a commercial shipyard in China last week.

Commentary by Jennifer Jun and Victor Cha — February 2, 2026

See all analysis by the Korea Chair

All Korea Chair Content

Filter by

41 - 50 of 1419 results
Audio Briefs

Renewed China-DPRK Diplomacy: Symbolism or Substance?

An audio version of "⁠Renewed China-DPRK Diplomacy: Symbolism or Substance?⁠" a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Victor Cha, Bonny Lin, Andy Lim, and Truly Tinsley. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha, Bonny Lin, Andy Lim, and Truly Tinsley — October 14, 2025

Audio Briefs

Responding to Trump’s New Foreign Policy Paradigm

Please join the CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy (GFP) Department for a discussion of the ways in which U.S. allies and partners around the world are navigating the Trump administration’s policies.

Event — October 6, 2025

The Impossible State

President Lee's First 100 Days

Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Jeonghun Min, and Dr. Hanbeom Jeong discussed President Lee’s first 100 days in office, the implications of his foreign policies for extended deterrence, U.S.–ROK and U.S.–North Korea engagement, and more.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha — October 6, 2025

The Impossible State Podcast

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