With Yoon’s exit, South Korea faces critical choices on North Korea strategy



Analysis With Yoon’s exit, South Korea faces critical choices on North Korea strategy Experts say Seoul must act decisively to modernize military and adapt to Trump turmoil, regardless who wins election Joon Ha Park \| Shreyas Reddy April 14, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and a North Korean 18-missile salvo launch \| Image: ROK Presidential Office (Oct. 1, 2023), Rodong Sinmun (May 31, 2024), edited by NK Pro The removal of Yoon Suk-yeol as South Korea’s leader has kicked off a race for the presidency, potentially paving the way for major shifts in Seoul’s strategy against North Korean threats under the next government. Yoon’s time in power was characterized by a more hardline approach against a neighbor he viewed as Seoul’s “main enemy,” with his administration frequently threatening to “end the North Korean regime” in the event of a nuclear attack. The former president sought to strengthen South Korea’s defense capabilities against North Korean nuclear and missile threats Read More © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01Elite absences hint at a North Korean power struggle ahead of party congress 02With Yoon’s exit, South Korea faces critical choices on North Korea strategy 03Tools of the trade: How North Korea launders billions in stolen cryptocurrency 04North Korea’s ‘new’ sniper rifle likely Austrian import or copy: Analysis 05North Korean ICBM factory upgrade project resumes, expands: Imagery 06Ruse or revolution? Analyzing North Korea’s new drone and AEW&C aircraft 07New construction underway near North Korean aircraft factories amid drone push 08What Americans think about travel to North Korea, 8 years after Warmbier’s death 09North Korea preparing to move large new warship in sign of advanced development 10How Trump can break the impasse with North Korea by prioritizing nuclear safety

Analysis

With Yoon’s exit, South Korea faces critical choices on North Korea strategy

Experts say Seoul must act decisively to modernize military and adapt to Trump turmoil, regardless who wins election

Joon Ha Park | Shreyas Reddy April 14, 2025

With Yoon’s exit, South Korea faces critical choices on North Korea strategy

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and a North Korean 18-missile salvo launch | Image: ROK Presidential Office (Oct. 1, 2023), Rodong Sinmun (May 31, 2024), edited by NK Pro

The removal of Yoon Suk-yeol as South Korea’s leader has kicked off a race for the presidency, potentially paving the way for major shifts in Seoul’s strategy against North Korean threats under the next government.

Yoon’s time in power was characterized by a more hardline approach against a neighbor he viewed as Seoul’s “main enemy,” with his administration frequently threatening to “end the North Korean regime” in the event of a nuclear attack.

The former president sought to strengthen South Korea’s defense capabilities against North Korean nuclear and missile threats

With Yoon’s exit, South Korea faces critical choices on North Korea strategy

LATEST ANALYSIS

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Joon Ha Park

Shreyas Reddy