Korea

Korea

The alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States remains critical to maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the surrounding region, while trade and investments between both countries provides a foundation for enhanced cooperation in key areas such as technology and energy. The pursuit of nuclear weapons by the regime in North Korea threatens to destabilize the peninsula and the entire region. The Republic of Korea is also increasingly exploring opportunities to engage with Southeast Asia and contribute to the US vision for the Indo-Pacific.

<img decoding="async" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2025-12-29T050528Z_1426907273_MT1YOMIUR000RSZHNC_RTRMADP_3_CHINA-S-MILITARY-BEGINS-MILITARY-EXERCISES-ENCIRCLING-TAIWAN-500x350.jpg" alt="Garlauskas, Whitlark, and Taylor in Breaking Defense” class=”gta-horizontal-featured–img” />

Dispatches Jan 27, 2026

Taiwan has been a strategic blind spot for South Korea

By Bee Yun Jo

South Korea is beginning to acknowledge that cross-Strait stability is increasingly a foundational element of overall regional security.
China Indo-Pacific
<img decoding="async" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-08-01T155652Z_698952010_RC2Z8FA2GX58_RTRMADP_3_POLAND-SOUTH-KOREA-TANKS-500x350.jpg" alt="Garlauskas, Whitlark, and Taylor in Breaking Defense” class=”gta-horizontal-featured–img” />

New Atlanticist Dec 18, 2025

South Korea and Europe are stepping up on security cooperation. Here’s why.

By David F. Helvey

The growing ties reflect a shared understanding that deterrence in the twenty-first century is global.
Defense Industry Europe & Eurasia
<img decoding="async" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/South-Korea-APEC-article-image-500x350.jpg" alt="Garlauskas, Whitlark, and Taylor in Breaking Defense” class=”gta-horizontal-featured–img” />

New Atlanticist Nov 6, 2025

How South Korea advanced its trade and technology agenda at the APEC summit

By Kayla T. Orta

South Korea leveraged its diplomatic influence to strengthen Seoul’s standing within the multilateral economic framework and secure trade deals with the United States.
Economy & Business Indo-Pacific

Projects

Close up of tiger

The Tiger Project: War and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific

Explore the Atlantic Council’s work on current and enduring defense and deterrence issues in the Indo-Pacific, featuring expert commentary, multimedia content, and in-depth analysis.

Explore the programs

The Indo-Pacific Security Initiative (IPSI) informs and shapes the strategies, plans, and policies of the United States and its allies and partners to address the most important rising security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including China’s growing threat to the international order and North Korea’s destabilizing nuclear weapons advancements. IPSI produces innovative analysis, conducts tabletop exercises, hosts public and private convenings, and engages with US, allied, and partner governments, militaries, media, other key private and public-sector stakeholders, and publics.

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Content

In the News

Apr 28, 2023

<strong>Garlauskas, Whitlark, and Taylor in <em>Breaking Defense</em></strong>

On April 27, Markus Garlauskas, FD Nonresident Senior Fellow Rachel Whitlark, and IPSI Nonresident Fellow Jessica Taylor were featured in Breaking Defense for their comments in an Atlantic Council “Experts React” on a US-ROK nuclear-armed alliance.

Korea Nuclear Deterrence

In the News

Apr 28, 2023

<strong>Taylor in <em>i</em></strong>

On April 28, IPSI Nonresident Fellow Jessica Taylor was featured in i news discussing the future of cooperative decision making with South Korea on nuclear deterrence as US elections approach.

Korea Nuclear Deterrence

In the News

Apr 28, 2023

<strong>Garlauskas in <em>Politico</em></strong>

On April 27, Markus Garlauskas was featured in Politico for his remarks on confusion surrounding President Yoon’s comments that the United States had promised to employ nukes in order to defend South Korea from a North Korea nuclear attack. Markus suggested, “It’s helpful to add a little bit of clarity to declaratory policy.” 

Korea Nuclear Deterrence

In the News

Apr 28, 2023

<strong>Garlauskas in <em>WSJ</em></strong>

On April 27, Markus Garlauskas was quoted in The Wall Street Journal in relation to the nuclear issues surrounding the US-South Korea summit, noting that “North Korea has increasingly asserted its nuclear status as nonnegotiable and developed capabilities to make that a reality.” 

Korea Nuclear Deterrence

In the News

Apr 27, 2023

<strong>Cynkin in <em>WSJ </em>and<em> USA Today</em></strong>

On April 26, IPSI Nonresident Senior Fellow Tom Cynkin was quoted in The Wall Street Journal on South Korean officials’ response to the Pentagon document leaks. On April 23, he was interviewed by USA Today to discuss more on the leaks, particularly in the lead-up to President Yoon’s state visit.

Korea Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Apr 27, 2023

Not every North Korean missile needs a response. South Korea and the US should focus more on readiness and deterrence.

By Jessica Taylor

The nuclear collaboration announced by the US and South Korean presidents this week is the type of strategic measure the allies need to focus on, rather than a reactive approach.

East Asia Indo-Pacific

Fast Thinking

Apr 27, 2023

The day the US-South Korea alliance became truly nuclear-armed

By Atlantic Council

What does the Washington Declaration mean for the alliance, and how will it play in Seoul? Will the pact hold together in the long run? Our experts weigh in.

Indo-Pacific Korea

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2023

Experts react: The US and South Korea strike a deal on nuclear weapons. What’s next for the alliance?

By Atlantic Council experts

US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol are navigating political tensions around nuclear weapons and microchips to find a common future.

Indo-Pacific Korea

In the News

Apr 26, 2023

<strong>Baek in <em>Early Bird Books</em></strong>

On April 24, IPSI Nonresident Senior Fellow Jieun Baek was featured in Early Bird Books’ list of insightful books about living in North Korea. Early Bird Books highlighted Baek’s book, North Korea’s Hidden Revolution.

Korea Resilience & Society

Blog Post

Apr 14, 2023

State of the Order: Assessing March 2023

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.

China Europe & Eurasia
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Experts

Fellow

Jieun Baek

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Democratic Transitions Human Rights

Fellow

Scott D. Berrier

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Sungmin Cho

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Policy

Fellow

Jonathan Corrado

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Indo-Pacific Korea

Fellow

Shawn Creamer

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Indo-Pacific Security Initiative

Security & Defense East Asia

Fellow

Nik Foster

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Energy & Environment
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