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.

Proactively countering North Korea’s advancing nuclear threat

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
Proactively countering North Korea’s advancing nuclear threat

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
Proactively countering North Korea’s advancing nuclear threat

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

Report

Dec 23, 2021

Proactively countering North Korea’s advancing nuclear threat

By Markus Garlauskas

Markus Garlauskas suggests a strategy to counter North Korean nuclear weapons by impeding the growth of its arsenal, investing to stay ahead of new nuclear threats, and adjusting operations on the Korean Peninsula.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

Issue Brief

Dec 15, 2021

Nuclear priorities for the Biden administration

By John Harvey and Robert Soofer

Former nuclear deterrence policymakers John Harvey and Robert Soofer, from Democratic and Republican administrations, respectively, propose a path for the Biden administration's nuclear strategy and policy.

China Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Dec 14, 2021

Missile defense: The end of the interim solution

By Patrick O’Reilly

Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow and former US Missile Defense Agency director Patrick O'Reilly argues that the time is now to invest in directed energy missile defense.

China Defense Policy

In the News

Dec 9, 2021

Manning in Voice of America: Beijing Winter Olympics test US-South Korea cooperation on China

By Atlantic Council

On December 9, Robert Manning was quoted in a Voice of America article on how the Beijing Olympics challenge the relationship between the United States and South Korea. “While the US would not be happy [if the South Korean government participated in the Olympics], especially if most US allies also boycott official presence at the […]

China Korea

Report

Dec 7, 2021

An Alliance of Democracies: From concept to reality in an era of strategic competition

By Ash Jain, Matthew Kroenig, and Jonas Parello-Plesner

With the rules-based democratic order under threat, the United States and its allies need new entities that facilitate cooperation not just across the transatlantic, but among larger groups of democracies worldwide.

Australia Economy & Business

Econographics

Dec 3, 2021

The RCEP ratification and its implications

By Niels Graham

On January 1, 2022 the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement will go into effect. When it enters into force, the partnership will be doubly historic: it will be both China’s first multilateral trade agreement and the world’s largest free trade agreement.

China Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Nov 30, 2021

Forward Defense symposium on deterring Chinese strategic attack

By Hans Binnendijk, Rebeccah Heinrichs, and Christopher Twomey

Hans Binnendijk, Rebeccah Heinrichs, and Christopher Twomey contribute issue briefs to a Forward Defense symposium on Chinese nuclear weapons and deterring Chinese strategic attack.

China Defense Policy

In the News

Nov 9, 2021

Manning in VOA: Should Biden ease humanitarian sanctions on North Korea?

By Atlantic Council

On November 9, Robert Manning was quoted in a Voice of America article on US sanctions on North Korea. Manning argued that the United States does not need to ease sanctions for humanitarian goods to reach North Koreans, but rather there is a need to streamline the process. Robert Manning, a senior fellow at the […]

Indo-Pacific Korea

In the News

Nov 4, 2021

Garlauskas on Korea Society webinar: What makes a great Korea analyst?

On November 4, 2021, Markus Garlauskas made an appearance as a panelist at a webinar titled, “What Makes a Great Korea Analyst?” held by the Korea Society. Garlauskas and other panelists discussed the latest developments on and around the Korean Peninsula and how media, members, and analysts might best hone skills and insights on Korea […]

Intelligence Korea

In the News

Oct 25, 2021

Manning in The Hill: Is Kim Jong Un angling for nuclear talks on his terms?

By Atlantic Council

On October 25, Robert Manning published an op-ed in The Hill on the prospects of nuclear talks between the US and North Korea. Manning analyzes the recent maneuvering by North Korea and concludes that it is savvily working to improve its position in possible future negotiations. “After 25 years of efforts to denuclearize North Korea, […]

Indo-Pacific Korea
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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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