Responding to Religious Repression in North Korea

Michael Kirby, former chair of the UN Commission of Inquiry on human rights in North Korea, discusses the commission's recommendations for addressing systematic crimes against humanity in North Korea, including religious repression.

Learn more about CFR's Religion and Foreign Policy Initiative.

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China

The China-North Korea Relationship
China is North Korea’s biggest trade partner and arguably has the most leverage over Kim Jong Un’s regime. Analysts say Beijing’s policies are focused on stability, though it signals ambivalence about its neighbor’s nuclear arms advances.

Backgrounder by Clara Fong and Eleanor Albert March 7, 2024

South Korea

China-Korea Relations: Deepening Suspicions and Limited Diplomacy
Developments in China-South Korea and China-North Korea relations between January and April of 2023 include security and economic challenges, as well as Chinese criticisms of the Yoon administration’s diplomatic moves. 

Blog Post by Scott A. Snyder and See-won Byun May 17, 2023 Asia Unbound

United States

How to Prepare for the Future After Seven Decades of the U.S.-South Korea Alliance

The United States and South Korea are marking their seventy-year alliance with a state visit amid tighter defense collaboration. But the alliance “forged in blood” should now evolve to be powered by chips, batteries, and clean technology.

In Brief by Scott A. Snyder April 20, 2023 Asia Program

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Japan

How Japan Is Viewing the North Korea-Russia Alliance
Russia’s expanding security ties with North Korea raise weighty foreign policy questions for Japan and complicate the geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. 

Expert Brief by Sheila A. Smith June 27, 2024 Asia Program

Israel

Visiting Israel, June 2024
In a visit in June, I found a somber mood and many doubts about the current national leadership.

Blog Post by Elliott Abrams July 1, 2024 Pressure Points

United States

The 2024 Candidates on Foreign Policy

June 26, 2007