Korea Economic Institute

05/04/2026

South Korea’s exports are surging, yet the won continues to weaken 📉

Why?

New analysis by Sunhyung Lee suggests that exchange rates are no longer driven solely by trade. Increasing capital outflows and overseas investment are putting sustained pressure on the currency 🌍

As Korea becomes more financially globalized, monetary policy faces a more complex challenge ⚖️

🔗 Read more:

New Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun Song faces a more constrained environment in shaping South Korea’s monetary policies.

05/04/2026

📸 ICYMI | Iran, North Korea, and the Proliferation Threat

KEI hosted a discussion with Bruce Bechtol on the evolving Iran–North Korea partnership and its implications for proliferation risks facing the United States and its allies.

The two countries’ long-standing cooperation, particularly in missile and military technology, remains a key security concern.

▶️ Watch the full conversation: https://bit.ly/4n3mcby

05/01/2026

Read now by clicking the URL below or the link in our bio!

https://open.substack.com/pub/koreaeconomicinstitute/p/kei-weekly-special-edition-q1-2026?r=6g78le&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

05/01/2026

📸 Today at KEI

We appreciate everyone who attended our discussion with Jonathan Cheng on Korean Messiah, co-hosted with the Atlantic Council, exploring the American roots of North Korea’s personality cult.

For those who were unable to join, the full recording is available below:

▶️ https://bit.ly/4tLgzRR

05/01/2026

🔴 Happening Now | The American Roots of North Korea’s Personality Cult

KEI & the Atlantic Council are live with Jonathan Cheng discussing Korean Messiah and the origins of North Korea’s personality cult.

📍 1800 K Street NW

Watch live below 👇
https://bit.ly/4teYRVX

The American Roots of North Korea's Personality Cult

04/30/2026

📅 Tomorrow!

What are the American roots behind North Korea’s personality cult?

Join KEI and the Atlantic Council for a conversation with Jonathan Cheng (The Wall Street Journal) on his new book Korean Messiah, which traces the unexpected role of American missionaries in shaping early North Korean ideology.

🔗 RSVP: https://bit.ly/3OMYZhf

Join us Friday, May 1, to learn how American missionaries in 19th-century Pyongyang helped shape the ideology behind the Kim dynasty's personality cult.

04/29/2026

Major policy shifts, tariff rulings, and over $20 billion in annual Korean investment commitments are shaping the U.S.–South Korea economic relationship in 2026. 📊🌐

From AI 🤖 and semiconductors 💻 to shipbuilding 🚢 and critical minerals ⛏️, collaboration is expanding across key strategic industries.

📌 What happened in Q1:
• Tariff rulings and refund orders
• New trade investigations
• Expanded investment frameworks and partnerships

Why it matters: these developments point to a broader shift in economic security and alliance dynamics.

🔗 Read the full report:

New initiatives such as Project Vault and the U.S. Maritime Action Plan changed how U.S. investment projects obtain strategic materials and come online.

04/29/2026

🔴 Happening Now

Join us at the Korea Economic Institute of America for a timely discussion on Iran, North Korea, and the Proliferation Threat to the U.S. and Allies.

Experts are unpacking the growing strategic ties between Iran and North Korea and what it means for global security.

📍 1800 K Street NW
🕙 Live now (10:00–11:00 AM ET):

Iran, North Korea, and the Proliferation Threat to the U.S. and Allies

04/28/2026

📅 Tomorrow | How dangerous is the Iran–North Korea partnership?

Join us for a timely discussion on proliferation risks to the U.S. and its allies.

Featuring Bruce Bechtol, moderated by KEI’s Arius Derr.

📍 1800 K Street NW, Washington, DC
🕙 10:00–11:00 a.m. ET
🔗 RSVP: https://bit.ly/4u1xVcY

Join us Wednesday, April 29, to learn how Tehran and Pyongyang have worked for decades to undermine U.S. and South Korean security.

04/28/2026

🔴 Happening now!

KEI is live with a discussion on U.S.–South Korea nuclear submarine cooperation and defense-industrial collaboration.

Experts are unpacking implementation challenges, legal constraints, and alliance dynamics.

📍 1800 K Street NW
🔗

U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Submarine and Defense-Industrial Cooperation

04/27/2026

📅 This Wednesday
Don’t miss our discussion on Iran, North Korea, and the growing proliferation threat to the U.S. and its allies.

Featuring Bruce Bechtol, author of Rogue Allies, moderated by Arius Derr.

🔗 RSVP:

Join us Wednesday, April 29, to learn how Tehran and Pyongyang have worked for decades to undermine U.S. and South Korean security.

04/27/2026

📅 Tomorrow | Join us for a discussion on U.S.–South Korea nuclear submarine and defense-industrial cooperation.

Featuring Eunho Kang, Jihoon Yu, and moderated by KEI’s Ellen Kim.

📍 1800 K Street NW, Washington, DC
🕙 10:00–11:15 a.m. ET
🔗 RSVP:

Can the U.S. and South Korea Build a Nuclear Submarine Together?