December 29, 2023

Seoul Stepping Up: South Korea as a Non-Permanent UN Security Council Member

For two years, South Korea's leaders have aspired to make their country a “global pivotal state.” Starting in January, they have a major opportunity to do just that. On January 1, 2023, South Korea will become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2024-25 term.

Washington should continue to support South Korea’s global aspirations, especially taking advantage of recent progress made towards trilateral cooperation between the United States, Japan, and South Korea.

It’s only the third time that the Republic of Korea (ROK) has been elected to the role, following its previous terms from 1996-97 and 2013-14. Seoul should take advantage of this time on the Security Council to strengthen the country’s role as an active member of the international community. As one of the strongest democracies in the world and a core strategic ally for Washington, it is also in the United States’ interest for the ROK to do so.

Read the full article from The Messenger.

  • Commentary
    • Asia Society
    • October 2, 2024
    On Alliances in Northeast Asia

    For the U.S. alliances with South Korea and Japan to thrive — or merely survive — under the next administration, policy makers need to consider different options for different...

    By Dr. Duyeon Kim

  • Reports
    • September 26, 2024
    The China-Russia Entente in East Asia

    Executive Summary Closer cooperation between China and Russia is a major force driving global geopolitics. But how relations between the two authoritarian powers are shaping s...

    By Jacob Stokes, Evan Wright & Nathaniel Schochet

  • Reports
    • May 21, 2024
    Addressing a Human Rights and Looming Terrorism Crisis in Afghanistan

    Pursuing the same harsh policies as it did during its previous stint in power in the 1990s, the Taliban has increasingly clamped down on the rights of women and girls since re...

    By Lisa Curtis & Annie Pforzheimer

  • Reports
    • March 21, 2024
    Forging a New Era of U.S.-Japan-South Korea Trilateral Cooperation

    Executive Summary In August 2023, the leaders of Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and the United States met for an unprecedented in-person summit at Camp David to expand an...

    By Lisa Curtis, Evan Wright & Hannah Kelley

View All Reports View All Articles & Multimedia