Dr. Kangkook Lee is Professor of College of Economics at Ritsumeikan University in Japan and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE Nikkei Asia Op-ed by Dr. Kangkook Lee (June 1, 2026) (The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not represent the official stance of the center.)
Dr. Kiho Han, Director (Associate Professor) of the Research Laboratory at the Ajou University Institute for Unification Studies and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE The match began at 7 p.m. on May 20 amidst rain falling at a rate of 40mm per hour. While watching the fierce battle unfold, I encountered hybrid emotions unlike anything I had experienced before. Where did that internal turmoil come from, and how did it reach my personal senses? This question was significant
Dr. Kangkook Lee is Professor of College of Economics at Ritsumeikan University in Japan and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE On the morning of May 12, the KOSPI index plummeted by 5 percentage points in an instant. Having risen to 7,999 with the 8,000 mark in sight, the index plunged to the 7,420s before recovering to close at 7,643. While stock markets in other Asian countries also declined at a similar time due to news of a potential renewed escalation of the U.S.-Iran
Dr. Kangkook Lee is Professor of College of Economics at Ritsumeikan University in Japan and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE In my previous post, I wrote that the U.S. economy is taking on a "K-shape," but what about the Korean economy, the literal originator of the K? Looking solely at economic growth, the Korean economy in 2026 appears to be entering a boom phase thanks to a significant increase in manufacturing exports led by semiconductors. The economic growth rate is
Dr. Kiho Han, Director (Associate Professor) of the Research Laboratory at the Ajou University Institute for Unification Studies and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE NK News Op-ed by Dr. Kiho Han (May 13, 2026) (There might be a paywall for this op-ed.) (The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not represent the official stance of the center.)
Dr. Kangkook Lee is Professor of College of Economics at Ritsumeikan University in Japan and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE The expression describing the recent U.S. economy is the letter 'K.' It is not the K for Korea, but a K signifying that the gap is widening in the shape of a K. In October 2025, The New York Times published an article stating that while the wealthy saw a significant increase in consumption alongside rising stock prices, the lives of the low-income c
Dr. Kangkook Lee is Professor of College of Economics at Ritsumeikan University in Japan and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE When the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its Fiscal Monitor report on April 16, South Korea's conservative media unanimously poured out reports warning of national debt. One media headline read, “IMF warns Korea… Government debt to exceed 60% in 3 years.” South Korea was classified as a country with a significantly rising debt ratio, and
Dr. Kiho Han, Director (Associate Professor) of the Research Laboratory at the Ajou University Institute for Unification Studies and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE The Middle East crisis, which erupted following the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28, is now entering its third month. It has been two months that felt like two years. Rising international oil prices are causing significant inconvenience to the daily lives of citizens, leading to inflation, s
Dr. Kiho Han, Director (Associate Professor) of the Research Laboratory at the Ajou University Institute for Unification Studies and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE Asia Times Op-ed by Dr. Kiho Han (April 21, 2026) (The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not represent the official stance of the center.)
Dr. Jongkun Choi, Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Yonsei University and Advisory Board member of CUKPE Dr. Jongkun Choi emphasized in an interview with the Seoul Economic Daily on the 6th that “in the face of a complex crisis, Korea must move beyond passive responses and maximize its national interests through strategic diplomacy that simultaneously utilizes alliances and regional networks.” (This article was published as an interview with Jongkun
Dr. Kiho Han, Director (Associate Professor) of the Research Laboratory at the Ajou University Institute for Unification Studies and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE Last Wednesday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko became the first head of state to visit North Korea. Now that the Middle East crisis shows signs of becoming protracted, why did North Korea invite the leader of an Eastern European country, located over 6,500 kilometers away, to Pyongyang? The Russo-U.
Dr. Kiho Han, Director (Associate Professor) of the Research Laboratory at the Ajou University Institute for Unification Studies and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE One of the most frequently used metaphors in inter-Korean relations these days is the "eye of a needle." President Lee Jae-myung has used this metaphor repeatedly to promote a breakthrough in inter-Korean relations. The Lee Jae-myung administration's Korean Peninsula policy centers on peaceful coexistence. Roo
Dr. Kiho Han, Director (Associate Professor) of the Research Laboratory at the Ajou University Institute for Unification Studies and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE NK News Op-ed by Dr. Kiho Han (February 12, 2026) (There might be a paywall for this op-ed.) (The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not represent the official stance of the center.)
Dr. Kiho Han, Director (Associate Professor) of the Research Laboratory at the Ajou University Institute for Unification Studies and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE The international community has been in turmoil since the beginning of the year , starting with the Tears of Kursk and the "Blood Pact" bill . The ouster of Venezuelan President Maduro, initiated by President Trump's orders, followed by intensified anti-regime protests and large-scale bloodshed in Iran, and
Dr. Kiho Han, Director (Associate Professor) of the Research Laboratory at the Ajou University Institute for Unification Studies and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE Asia Times Op-ed by Dr. Kiho Han (January 14, 2026) (The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not represent the official stance of the center.)
Dr. Kiho Han, Director (Associate Professor) of the Research Laboratory at the Ajou University Institute for Unification Studies and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE North Korea's largest political event, the 9th Workers' Party of Korea (hereinafter referred to as the "Party Congress"), is expected to be held no later than the first quarter of next year, despite differing opinions on the timing. This Congress, which coincides with the remainder of President Lee Jae-myung's
Hansin Kim / Attorney, Chairman of the Center for U.S.-Korea Politics and Economy Recent reports that US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is being investigated for war crimes have caused significant controversy. The claim that he ordered a second attack on an enemy vessel already out of action during a military operation in the Caribbean, killing all of its crew, raises the possibility of a war crime under international law. While the investigation will determine whether the
Dr. Jongkun Choi, Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Yonsei University and Advisory Board member of CUKPE In interview , Choi Jong-kun urges Lee administration to reimplement 2018 military deal, warning of escalation risks (This article was published as an interview with Jongkun Choi in nknews.org . The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not represent the official stance of the center.)
Dr. Kiho Han, Director (Associate Professor) of the Research Laboratory at the Ajou University Institute for Unification Studies and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE “The ‘power of division’ extends beyond the South and the North to encompass neighboring countries.” On the 28th of last month, I met Professor Han Ki-ho of Ajou University (Ajou Institute of Unification Nations), author of The Power of Division (2nd Edition, Seonin Publishing), in his office. Professor Han o
Dr. Kiho Han, Director (Associate Professor) of the Research Laboratory at the Ajou University Institute for Unification Studies and Affiliated Research Fellow at CUKPE Chinese authorities and Chinese people are sending a sharp message to both South Korea and Japan through selective choices in the tourism sector. While Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations worsen, South Korea ranked first last week in terms of outbound air bookings by Chinese travelers. Given that in 2024 Korea