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Korea Research Institute for National Strategy

Korea Research Institute for National Strategy
The latest news and top stories on the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy. A Seoul-based think tank, the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy (INSS) is dedicated to providing recommendations for national strategy through research and analyses. Its main areas of focus include security issues regarding North Korea, inter-Korean relations, foreign policy and emerging security threats.
An oil tanker traverses icy waters. Russia’s Northern Sea Route is attracting growing interest from Asia's commercial shipping lines. Photo: Shutterstock
India

India joins China and South Korea in push for Arctic shipping routes

With Middle East sea lanes choked by conflict, melting polar ice offers Asia a seasonal two-week short cut to European ports.

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South Korea

South Korea accelerates military self-reliance over Trump’s ‘unpredictability’

South Korea

South Korea faces quandary over Ukraine’s air defence system request

South Korea

South Korea almost shoots down US Marine drone after communication failure

Incidents like this could ‘deepen mistrust’ between the allies, experts say, urging a comprehensive review to avoid it recurring.

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North Korea’s border county of Gaepung is seen from a South Korean observation deck at Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo on July 1. Photo: AFP
South Korea

How South Korea can ease Brazilian concerns to unlock trade in South America

Money and technology transfer are the keys to opening the door to free trade with Mercosur members, according to analysts.

South Korea

US hopes South Korea can help turn the tide in fight for naval dominance

While the US has a technological edge, it lags behind China, which has the world’s largest commercial shipbuilding industry, in fleet size.

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North Korea

‘Let me join’: North Korea flexes naval muscle ahead of China-Russia drills

Pyongyang’s new cruise-missile destroyers are built to project power far beyond home waters, analysts say.

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Multiple cruise missiles are test launched from a North Korean destroyer on Friday in this picture released by Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency. Photo: KCNA/Reuters
South Korea

Why North Korean POWs in Ukraine are making Seoul walk a diplomatic tightrope

Ukraine wants weapons in exchange for the soldiers, but analysts say South Korea fears provoking Russia and Pyongyang.

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South Korea

North Korea’s border build-up opens a Seoul-UN Command rift

South Korea views its the North’s border fortifications as an armistice violation. The UN body disagrees.

South Korea

Why Hormuz reopening hands South Korea a diplomatic problem at G7 summit

The G7 summit could revive pressure on Seoul to join international efforts to safeguard freedom of navigation through the strait.

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Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

‘Attacker would need to say sorry’: South Korea’s Lee rejects Japan defence ties

President Lee Jae Myung says Tokyo must offer a genuine apology before a military logistics pact can move forward.

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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung looks on as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a joint press conference in Andong, South Korea, on May 19. Photo: Kyodo
China shipbuilding

Why the US Navy must look to allies if it wants to catch up to China at sea

To close gap with Chinese fleet, analysts say the US must outsource shipbuilding to South Korea and Japan – but the move risks backlash.

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South Korea

From submarines to trade, South Korea and US remain deadlocked ahead of talks

The two allies are also expected to discuss the transfer of military control and a data breach involving a US firm at their talks next week.

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South Korea

‘Transitory euphoria’: South Korea’s strong economic outlook masks key hurdles

The surge in demand for semiconductors is cyclical, while other sectors in the country are lagging, analysts say.

Containers awaiting export stacked at a pier in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. The Bank of Korea has raised the country’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 2.6 per cent. Photo: EPA
South Korea

No oil for BBQ: South Korean restaurants gasp for help amid fuel crisis

Prices for ingredients and packaging have risen by as much as 30 per cent since the start of the Iran war.

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A Korean barbecue restaurant. Small business owners in South Korea are feeling the pinch from rising fuel prices. Photo: Shutterstock
South Korea

Why are South Koreans hoarding rubbish bags from supermarkets?

The won is at a 17-year low, parliament is in damage control mode and shop shelves are being stripped clean of plastic bags.

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South Korea

‘Catch-22 situation’: South Korea walks tightrope over Trump’s Hormuz call

Seoul is expected to seek national consensus and wait for the outcome of the Takaichi-Trump summit before deciding, observers say.

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North Korea

Iran may team up again with North Korea to defy ‘gangster-like’ US. Here’s why

North Korea has long been suspected of supplying missile technology to Iran and providing technical help on uranium enrichment.

Damaged buildings following air strikes at the Khorgu missile base on Monday in Khorgu, Iran. Photo: Vantor via AP
South Korea

South Korea gets wake-up call as US diverts military assets to Middle East

President Lee Jae Myung urges South Korea to boost its own defence amid reports of US military assets being redeployed to the Middle East.

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North Korea

North Korea’s hostage strategy packs more bite in post-Iran US shake-up

The Pentagon wants Seoul to shoulder more of its defence burden. Analysts say it may have strengthened Kim Jong-un’s hand instead.

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South Korea

Why South Korea is risking a rare rift with US to slash joint military drills

Washington is reportedly pushing back on Seoul’s request for smaller drills, forcing the postponement of a major joint military briefing.

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US and South Korean armoured vehicles cross a floating bridge as part of last year’s Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise. Photo: AFP
South Korea

A new start for Pyongyang? Fears mount as US-Russia nuclear pact expires

The end of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty will be a blow to efforts to curb North Korea’s nuclear build-up, analysts say.

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A test-fire of a large-calibre multiple-rocket launcher system at an unknown location in North Korea on January 27. Photo: EPA/KCNA
South Korea

Coupang data leak threatens South Korea-US ties amid tariff tensions

The breach, which has fuelled public anger, shows how a domestic corporate scandal can escalate into a diplomatic flashpoint.

North Korea

‘Goat yoked to an ox cart’: Kim Jong-un fires minister amid factory delay

By firing vice-minister Yang Sung-ho on the spot, Kim appears to be asserting his authority ahead of a crucial party congress, experts say.

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South Korea

Crossing a line: did military spies help a student fly drones into North Korea?

What began as a student’s claim of hunting radioactive waste has spiralled into a scandal linking military spies to dangerous border flights.

The remains of a drone North Korea claims breached its airspace on January 4. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AFP
South Korea

Can Seoul count on Beijing’s commitment to Korean reunification?

South Korean analyst Sung Ki-young says major powers are more likely to support incremental steps for peace rather than a sudden shift.

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A visitor uses binoculars to watch the North Korean side of the demilitarised zone dividing the two Koreas, from South Korea’s Odusan Unification Observatory in Paju in June. Photo: AFP
South Korea

South Korea’s nuclear sub deal signals shift from strategic ambiguity: analysts

While Seoul could expand its security roles, analysts warn the shift from strategic ambiguity could upset its US-China balancing act.

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South Korea

South Korea, US reach trade deal at Trump-Lee summit from tariffs to investment

Under the deal, Washington will maintain 15 per cent tariffs on South Korean goods while Seoul will invest US$350 billion in the US.

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