March 29, 2024

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James Fretwell

James Fretwell

James Fretwell is a writer based in Seoul, South Korea. He was an analyst at NK News, and he has often discussed the two Koreas in interviews on the BBC, ABC News Australia, Deutsche Welle and elsewhere.

Opinion

Why the next 30 years of South Korea-China ties won’t be as rosy as the last

Seoul will find it difficult to balance relations between U.S. and China due to intensifying great power competition

James FretwellJames FretwellAugust 24, 2022
Analysis

Yoon urges South Korea and Japan to move on. But history keeps bubbling up.

Yoon stresses common North Korea threat in Liberation Day speech, but imminent forced labor ruling could derail efforts

James FretwellJames FretwellAugust 15, 2022
Opinion

Yoon’s botched handling of Pelosi visit sends muddled diplomatic messages

South Korean president risks opening himself to charge of placating China even as he seeks closer ties with US

James FretwellJames FretwellAugust 9, 2022
Analysis

Israeli envoy: Korea-Israel ties bright but Yoon visit would be ‘transformative’

In interview, Ambassador Akiva Tor says South Korea to ratify FTA ‘very soon’ and that he ‘often’ warns of Iran threats

James FretwellJames FretwellAugust 5, 2022
Analysis

Mad about THAAD: South Korea-China dispute over US missile interceptor returns

Seoul again finds itself caught between Beijing and Washington as it looks for defenses against North Korean threats

James FretwellJames FretwellJuly 28, 2022
Analysis

Yoon’s rapprochement with Japan could soon be over before it even started

South Korea’s consultative group to resolve WWII forced labor case is struggling as upcoming court ruling approaches

James FretwellJames FretwellJuly 14, 2022
Analysis

South Korea walks tightrope between Europe and Asia at first NATO summit

While Yoon Suk-yeol promoted trade with European nations, progress in relations with Japan failed to deliver on hype

James FretwellJames FretwellJuly 4, 2022
Analysis

To attract the crème de la crème, South Korea floats immigration shakeup

Yoon administration faces uphill battle to reverse demographic trends and change public perceptions about foreigners

James FretwellJames FretwellJune 20, 2022
Analysis

Arming Kyiv: Ukraine gives South Korea a chance to prove it’s a world player

Provision of military aid would bolster international opposition to unwarranted aggression, both in Europe and Asia

James FretwellJames FretwellJune 9, 2022
Analysis

South Korea-Japan ties will improve under Yoon, but not as much as US wants

While the president-elect can heal some of the damage of the Moon years, colonial-era animosities still poison relations

James FretwellJames FretwellMay 5, 2022