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 Twitter 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

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

Media Queries

Featured Analysis

The Arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol

Yoon Suk Yeol, the lionized prosecutor-turned-politician who led the impeachment of former president Park Geun-hye before becoming president himself, was arrested on charges of insurrection related to his declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024.

Commentary by Victor Cha and Ellen Kim — January 15, 2025

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The Impossible State

A Threat Like No Other - The Russia-North Korea Alliance

In this episode, Dr. Cha and distinguished speakers discuss the significance of the Putin-Kim summit, the strengthening Russia-North Korea alliance, the implications of this alliance for regional and global security and why the Russia-North Korea alliance is a threat like no other.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha, Maria Snegovaya, Jude Blanchette, and Sydney Seiler — July 1, 2024

CSIS The Impossible State North Korea

Garbage, Balloons, and Korean Unification Values

North Korea’s campaign utilizing garbage-filled balloons is the latest manifestation of North Korea’s new “decoupling” policy from South Korea, showcasing the Kim regime's anger with both the conservative and liberal political groups in South Korea.

Critical Questions by Andy Lim and Victor Cha — July 1, 2024

New Horizons in Korea-U.S.-Japan Trilateral Cooperation

In a new Korea Chair Platform, Dr. Wooseon Choi of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy discuss new horizons in Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral cooperation and new areas to advance cooperation.

Newsletter by Wooseon Choi — June 27, 2024

Enhancing Understanding of Yongbyon Through Thermal Imagery: Part 2

Part 2 of this series builds upon the methodology and findings presented in Part 1, offering a deeper dive into the operational nuances of the 5MWe Reactor and the Experimental Light Water Reactor.

Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — June 26, 2024

The Truth of the Matter

Putin’s Play in NK

CSIS’s Victor Cha joins the podcast to discuss Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang and why he believes the “Mutual Defense Treaty” agreed to by  Russia and North Korea is the greatest threat to U.S. national security since the Korean War.  Also discussed—what this means for the U.S. and its allies and how it impacts China.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Victor Cha — June 21, 2024

CSIS the truth of the matter
The Impossible State

Putin’s Play in NK: The Truth of the Matter Crossover Episode

In a crossover episode with CSIS's The Truth of the Matter, Dr. Victor Cha discusses Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang and why he believes the “Mutual Defense Treaty” agreed to by  Russia and North Korea is the greatest threat to U.S. national security since the Korean War.  Also discussed—what this means for the U.S. and its allies and how it impacts China.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha and H. Andrew Schwartz — June 21, 2024

CSIS The Impossible State North Korea
Audio Briefs

The New Russia-North Korea Security Alliance

An audio version of “The New Russia-North Korea Security Alliance,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Victor Cha and Ellen Kim. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha and Ellen Kim — June 20, 2024

Audio Briefs