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 X to receive the Korea Chair’s latest analysis and event invitations.

Meet Our Experts

Meet our network of experts, staff, and non-resident affiliates who contribute to the Korea Chair's analysis.

Contact Information

  • Minchi Hyun
  • Special Assistant to the President, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Program Manager, Korea Chair
  • MHyun@csis.org

Media Queries

Featured Analysis

Photo: CSIS

Photo: CSIS

Recalibrating U.S.-ROK Alliance: Strategic Priorities for 2026

In this episode, Mr. Sydney Seiler moderated a discussion with Dr. Chansong Lee and Dr. Bee Yun Jo of the Sejong Institute on the overall outlook of the U.S.–South Korea alliance leading up to 2026, including extended deterrence, the Nuclear Consultative Group, the OPCON transfer, shipbuilding, and other strategic issues.

Podcast Episode by Sydney Seiler, Chansong Lee, and Bee Yun Jo — January 16, 2026

What is China Building in the Yellow Sea?

Video — December 13, 2025

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The Impossible State

Recalibrating U.S.-ROK Alliance: Strategic Priorities for 2026

In this episode, Mr. Sydney Seiler moderated a discussion with Dr. Chansong Lee and Dr. Bee Yun Jo of the Sejong Institute on the overall outlook of the U.S.–South Korea alliance leading up to 2026, including extended deterrence, the Nuclear Consultative Group, the OPCON transfer, shipbuilding, and other strategic issues.

Podcast Episode by Sydney Seiler, Chansong Lee, and Bee Yun Jo — January 16, 2026

The Impossible State Podcast

Indo-Pacific Forecast 2026

Please join the CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy (GFP) Department's annual preview of political, economic, and security developments across the region.

Event — January 14, 2026

SCOTUS Ruling and Korea

The Supreme Court’s ruling on the consolidated cases of V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump and Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump is expected tomorrow. Here are some key numbers to keep in mind with this impending decision.

Newsletter by Victor Cha — January 8, 2026

Chinese Buoys Near the South Korea-China PMZ

China’s deployment of buoys near the Korea-China PMZ signals expanding monitoring and gray zone pressure in the Yellow Sea (West Sea).

Commentary by Jennifer Jun and Victor Cha — December 15, 2025

Progress at the Much-Delayed New Yalu River Bridge

Satellite imagery shows that North Korea has made significant progress at the port-of-entry site for the much-delayed New Yalu River Bridge.

Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — December 11, 2025

The Impossible State

Is North Korean Denuclearization Dead?

On this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderates a discussion with Amb. Cho Byung Jae and Dr. Jun Bong-geun on North Korea’s nuclear program and the future of diplomacy. The episode explores Pyongyang’s constitutional embrace of nuclear weapons, Seoul’s E.N.D. initiative to revive dialogue, and President Trump’s push for summitry.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha — December 9, 2025

The Impossible State Podcast