Commentary and Analysis

"According to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, America's positive view of Korea are reaching the highest levels since 1978," President Yoon Suk-yeol told Congress.

President Yoon will likely sell the idea of “lining up major investments coming into South Korea from American companies,” says Karl Friedhoff.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is under fire for his administration’s US relationship following the Pentagon leak, Karl Friedhoff says.

"Yoon Suk-yeol likely pays closer attention to one metric above all else — his base support," writes Karl Friedhoff.

Although the agreement is unpopular among South Koreans, it hasn't had much impact on the president's approval rating, Karl Friedhoff writes.

A gap between polling results could lead the administration to draw dramatically different conclusions about which policies to pursue going forward, Karl Friedhoff writes.

"Early poll suggests South Koreans prefer Democratic leader as next peastolitical leader, but caveats abound," writes Marshall M. Bouton Fellow Karl Friedhoff.

The South Korean public is lukewarm about reforms like extending the work week, Karl Friedhoff writes, but Yoon likely sees value in taking a harder line.

Karl Friedhoff joins other analysts to offer insights on what 2023 might bring for South Korea.

“South Koreans know they are living in a very unforgiving region so perhaps taking security into their own hands is seen as a logical next step."