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October 06, 2026Oct 06, 2026

About the author

John Lee

John Lee

John Lee is the Managing Editor of Korea Pro, based in Seoul, where he leads daily executive briefings, in-depth analyses and high-level events for business leaders, diplomats and policy professionals. Since joining Korea Pro in 2022, he has expanded the platform’s coverage of South Korea’s economy, trade and foreign policy and moderates its flagship Korea Business Forum and Seoul Circuit series. Before taking the helm at Korea Pro, John contributed to NK News and Korea Pro as a writer focused on South Korean foreign policy and U.S.-ROK relations. His work blends on-the-ground reporting with data-driven analysis of South Korea’s political economy, economic security and its evolving role in global affairs.

More articles by 'John Lee'

Examining the fallout from Yoon Suk-yeol’s shocking declaration of martial law
Podcast

Examining the fallout from Yoon Suk-yeol’s shocking declaration of martial law

NK News and Korea Pro unpack the South Korean leader’s decision and how North Korea could exploit the political unrest

Examining the fallout from Yoon Suk-yeol’s shocking declaration of martial law
Jeongmin Kim
Jeongmin Kim | John Lee | Joon Ha Park | NK News December 4, 2024
How North Korean troops in Russia have changed peninsula dynamics
Podcast

How North Korean troops in Russia have changed peninsula dynamics

Korea Pro Editor John Lee discusses China’s strong statement on its ally, as well as Seoul’s role in Ukraine war

How North Korean troops in Russia have changed peninsula dynamics
Jacco Zwetsloot
Jacco Zwetsloot | John Lee | NK News November 19, 2024
Shared worldviews drive growing defense ties between South Korea and Australia
KOREA PRO

Shared worldviews drive growing defense ties between South Korea and Australia

Weapons deals support ROK’s domestic R&D and boost supply chain resiliency with democratic partner in region

Shared worldviews drive growing defense ties between South Korea and Australia
John Lee
John Lee August 25, 2022
South Korea pivots to the Middle East, selling both weapons and K-pop cool
KOREA PRO

South Korea pivots to the Middle East, selling both weapons and K-pop cool

Saudi Arabia looks to Korea as it seeks to diversify away from oil, but human rights issues may limit cooperation

South Korea pivots to the Middle East, selling both weapons and K-pop cool
John Lee
John Lee July 18, 2022
South Korea and Japan navigate Abe’s legacy as they push to improve ties
KOREA PRO

South Korea and Japan navigate Abe’s legacy as they push to improve ties

Tokyo free to seek relation reset with Seoul after election win, but militarization push could derail cooperation

South Korea and Japan navigate Abe’s legacy as they push to improve ties
John Lee
John Lee July 11, 2022
NATO summit a springboard for South Korea to diversify military ties
KOREA PRO

NATO summit a springboard for South Korea to diversify military ties

Seoul’s participation reflects emerging threats it shares with Transatlantic alliance, as Beijing watches with suspicion

NATO summit a springboard for South Korea to diversify military ties
John Lee
John Lee June 28, 2022
How Biden’s ‘Buy American’ rule harms the US-South Korea alliance
KOREA PRO

How Biden’s ‘Buy American’ rule harms the US-South Korea alliance

Allies have pledged to look for ways to keep trade barriers from impacting defense, but domestic politics is an obstacle

How Biden’s ‘Buy American’ rule harms the US-South Korea alliance
John Lee
John Lee June 14, 2022
Why supporting Taiwan remains a bridge too far for South Korea
KOREA PRO

Why supporting Taiwan remains a bridge too far for South Korea

Indirect aid would align Seoul with other liberal democracies, but memories of Chinese economic retaliation linger

Why supporting Taiwan remains a bridge too far for South Korea
John Lee
John Lee June 1, 2022
As Seoul joins NATO cyber group, Chinese propagandist threatens Ukraine ‘path’
KOREA PRO

As Seoul joins NATO cyber group, Chinese propagandist threatens Ukraine ‘path’

Threatening to invade South Korea will do little to improve the image of China among the ROK public

As Seoul joins NATO cyber group, Chinese propagandist threatens Ukraine ‘path’
John Lee
John Lee May 6, 2022
The rocky shoals on which Yoon Suk-yeol’s foreign policy could shipwreck
KOREA PRO

The rocky shoals on which Yoon Suk-yeol’s foreign policy could shipwreck

New ROK president will have to navigate US, China and North Korea policies, with few options that make all sides happy

The rocky shoals on which Yoon Suk-yeol’s foreign policy could shipwreck
John Lee
John Lee May 4, 2022
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