Sansok Dispatches

Desiring peace, preparing for war: Korea’s influence on U.S.-Russia détente ROK’s ties with Russia a key part of Washington-Moscow rapprochement

Washington pursues rapprochement w/Moscow in Europe while US-ROK alliance prepares militarily for reality of N. Korea-Russia defense cooperation. Seoul's ties w/Moscow will be swing variable affecting trajectory of US-Russia thaw. Via Sansok Dispatches. - sansokkorean.substack.com/p/desiring-p...

This kind of complaint is standard from North Korea, but it’s interesting that Russia is now chiming in.

“North Korean denuclearization” is back, and so is Russia Washington can no longer dismiss Russia as a mere "spoiler" in Korea now.

This year's U.S.-ROK Freedom Shield 25 combined exercises reportedly factoring in North Korea-Russia defense cooperation. Another reminder of how Moscow is a true security actor on the Korean Peninsula - sansokkorean.substack.com/p/north-kore...

I've had the distinct pleasure of giving media commentary to Ifang several times. This is an outrage to see him treated like this.

Isosceles Trilateralism: U.S.-Russia Engagement and North Korea Sanctions UN drama this week raises possibility Kremlin may request DPRK sanctions relief

U.S.-Russia talks over Ukraine may give Moscow leverage to push for North Korea sanctions relief. From Sansok Dispatches, with in-text h/t to @khangxvu.bsky.social for his insights on DPRK's potential role in Ukraine peace talks - sansokkorean.substack.com/p/isosceles-...

After U.S.-Ukraine Summit, South Korea Conservatives Rethink U.S. Security Ties Mistrust of U.S. rises on traditionally pro-American South Korean right

South Korea's conservatives, traditionally more pro-U.S. than their counterparts on the left, have been more open about distrust of Washington and the need for security independence in light of Zelenskyy's Oval Office fiasco - sansokkorean.substack.com/p/after-us-u...

Poland-South Korea Defense Ties: A Model for Europe After Hegseth in Munich Poland’s defense procurements from South Korea highlight opportunity and risk

As Europe faces the prospect of diminished security guarantees from the U.S., South Korea has a role to play in the continent taking an increased role in its own defense, as the case of ROK-Poland ties shows - sansokkorean.substack.com/p/poland-sou...

Ignoring Kyiv, Spooking Korea South Korea is less likely to get the same treatment as Ukraine

Obviously S. Korea is shaken by recent Oval Office summit, yet ROK is not Ukraine, and exists in a rather different geopolitical context. As such, Seoul is less likely to get the same treatment as Zelenskyy. From Sansok Dispatches (Feb. 25) - sansokkorean.substack.com/p/ignoring-k...

박정희·카터는 ‘미군 철수’ 놓고 150분 설전 박정희·카터는 미군 철수 놓고 150분 설전 트럼프·젤렌스키 회담

Another article from Chosun this time comparing Carter's policy of withdrawing US troops from South Korea and Park Chung Hee's negotiations to Trump and Zelensky. Paints Park as having forestalled the withdraw of US troops. Again a terrible comparison 1/

www.chosun.com/politics/dip...

“North Korean denuclearization” is back, and so is Russia Washington can no longer dismiss Russia as a mere "spoiler" in Korea now.

Russia is a true influencer in the security arena. If the White House is interested in denuclearization after all, it had better adapt to this reality faster than the chollima-speed development of DPRK-Russia ties. The latest at Sansok Dispatches - sansokkorean.substack.com/p/north-kore...