April 26, 2024

About the author

John Lee

John Lee is the editor of KOREA PRO, based in Seoul. Prior to that, he was a contributor for NK News and KOREA PRO. His focus is on South Korean foreign policy and ROK-U.S. relations.

More articles by 'John Lee'

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
North Korea lost the war of ideas a long time ago

North Korea lost the war of ideas a long time ago

Foreign influence, especially from South Korea, is a far more dangerous threat than sanctions or COVID-19

North Korea lost the war of ideas a long time ago
John Lee
John Lee August 3, 2021
North Korean defector Yeonmi Park muddles human rights message with partisanship

North Korean defector Yeonmi Park muddles human rights message with partisanship

Prominent defectors like Park often align themselves with conservatives in South Korea and the U.S.

North Korean defector Yeonmi Park muddles human rights message with partisanship
John Lee
John Lee June 23, 2021
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