KOREA ON POINT

Upcoming Trump-Lee Summit: Modernizing the Alliance by First Reaffirming Long-Standing Principles

Key Takeaways: - Trump is dealing with a different kind of progressive South Korean government in his second term. - Ambition could backfire. The leaders should focus on reaffirming long-standing alliance principles rather than details on thorny security and defense issues. - Strategic flexibility, burden sharing and details on moder

By Duyeon Kim [Adjunct Senior Fellow, Center for a New American Security]

Energy-Based AI Ecosystem and Korea’s National Competitiveness: An International Relations Perspective

Key Takeaways: - Operating large data centers, training massive AI models, and running advanced semiconductor fabs all require enormous and stable supplies of electricity. - Nuclear power stands out as the most realistic solution to Korea’s twin challenges of energy security and carbon neutrality. - By integrating robust energy infrastructure,

By Jiyoung Park [Chief Director, Research Institute for Economy and Society]

Upcoming U.S.–South Korea Summit: Strategic Recalibration in a Shifting Indo-Pacific Landscape

Key Takeaways: - Trump is expected to demand a massive increase in South Korea's financial contributions to defense, up from the current 2.6% of GDP to 3.8%. South Korea should shift the narrative from a simple transaction to a strategic partnership to deal with Trump's demands.- The summit offers an opportunity to modernize the U.S.-ROK allia

By Jaechun Kim [Professor, Sogang University]

Lee’s Foreign Policy Aspirations in the Balance ahead of Trump Summit

Key Takeaways: - While Trump and Lee are in agreement on some issues, the upcoming summit remains unpredictable as Trump is expected to return to his transactional demand that South Korea pay more for its own defense, leaving the task of limiting damage to the alliance to President Lee. His challenge will be dealing with Trump's personali

By Karl Friedhoff [Marshall M. Bouton Fellow for Asia Studies, Chicago Council on Global Affairs]

TOPICS

U.S.-China Tech Competition

European Strategic Autonomy

NATO Summit

Latest Articles

Modernizing the U.S.-South Korea Alliance Under New Management

Key Takeaways: - In Trump’s Oval Office, when politically progressive leaders of allied countries challenge Trump, fireworks ensue. But

Digital Partnerships

ROK-EU Digital Partnership: Present and Future

Key Takeaways: - The scope of the Digital Partnership includes emerging and disruptive technologies (EDTs), such as semiconductors, AI, 5G netw

Quantum Korea: Strategic Technology and Global Engagement in the Quantum Era

Key Takeaways:- The U.S. and China are investing heavily, forming alliances around national interests. For Korea, this is no longer a discretiona

Korea Must Set Sail in the AI Age: Sovereignty Is Now Written in Code

Key Takeaways:- The contests aren't for colonies but for computational supremacy, quantum cryptography, and influence over the norms that will govern

The Development of Emerging Technologies in South Korea and Its Impact on International Relations

Key Takeaways:- The accelerating development and strategic application of these emerging technologies are reshaping South Korea's engagement wi

Foreign Policy Under President Lee Jae-myung

Lee Jae-Myung’s ‘Pragmatic Foreign Policy’: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead

- President Lee Jae-myung's recent inauguration, following a period of political turmoil including his predecessor's impeachment, signals South Kore

About KOP

Korea On Point by the Korean Association of
International Studies

Korea On Point by the Korean Association of International Studies aims to provide an open forum for debates on the most pressing issues that affect the Korean Peninsula. Each week, the editorial board invites a select group of experts from around the world to contribute their views and analyses. Korea On Point does not advocate particular views, beliefs, or ideologies; rather, it strives to publish balanced and incisive commentaries that lay bare key points of agreement as well as differences among relevant actors. Ultimately, Korea On Point aims to further stimulate discussions in the international community that lead to consensus and dialogue.

*The opinions expressed by our invited authors do not represent the official positions of Korea On Point or the Korean Association of International Studies.