Jihwan Hwang, Professor at the University of Seoul, examines the Lee Jae Myung administration's pragmatic, national interest-centered diplomacy toward North Korea and its implications for the inter-Korean relations. The author argues that it is imperative to formulate a long-term, proactive North Korea policy based on South Korea’s national power advantage and the North Korean regime’s durability.
[ADRN Working Paper] Democratic Backsliding in South Korea
The Asia Democracy Research Network (ADRN) conducted research on recent democratic backsliding in South Korea. The researchers point out that the underlying causes of the backsliding lie in the presidential system, which grants the president an unofficial degree of authority, and in the political parties’ violation of the norm of mutual forbearance. They argue that current crisis is more akin to a “top-down erosion,” which resulting from political elites disregarding democratic principles, despite stable public support for democracy.
“South Korean Public Opinion vis-à-vis China in 2025”
[EAI Issue Briefing] Expectations and Challenges for Improved Relations with “Unfavorable” China under the Lee Administration: 2025 EAI Public Opinion Poll on East Asia
