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.
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
- Samuel Cestari
- Media Relations Coordinator, External Relations
- 202.775.7317
- scestari@csis.org
Featured Analysis

What's Next for the Korean Peninsula Under Trump 2.0?
Podcast Episode by Ellen Kim and Sydney Seiler — January 24, 2025

Victor Cha in Fortune: Korea’s economy looks like it’s shrugging off Yoon’s impeachment crisis. Don’t be fooled
Commentary by Victor Cha — January 17, 2025

The Arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol
Commentary by Victor Cha and Ellen Kim — January 15, 2025

Jimmy Carter’s Post-Presidency Role in U.S.-North Korea Relations
Podcast Episode by Robert R. King — January 6, 2025

Jimmy Carter’s Post-Presidency Role in U.S.-North Korea Relations
Commentary by Robert R. King — January 6, 2025
All Korea Chair Content
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Australia and the Two Koreas: Capital Cable #96
Event — June 27, 2024
Enhancing Understanding of Yongbyon Through Thermal Imagery: Part 3
Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — June 27, 2024
New Horizons in Korea-U.S.-Japan Trilateral Cooperation
Newsletter by Wooseon Choi — June 27, 2024
Enhancing Understanding of Yongbyon Through Thermal Imagery: Part 2
Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — June 26, 2024
Victor Cha in Foreign Affairs: America’s Asian Partners Are Not Worried Enough About Trump
Commentary by Victor Cha — June 26, 2024
The Impossible State Live Podcast: A Threat Like No Other - The Russia-North Korea Alliance
Event — June 24, 2024
Putin’s Play in NK
Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Victor Cha — June 21, 2024

Putin’s Play in NK: The Truth of the Matter Crossover Episode
Podcast Episode by Victor Cha and H. Andrew Schwartz — June 21, 2024

The New Russia-North Korea Security Alliance
Podcast Episode by Victor Cha and Ellen Kim — June 20, 2024

The New Russia-North Korea Security Alliance
Critical Questions by Victor Cha and Ellen Kim — June 20, 2024