Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • US-Israel-Iran
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • Western Hemisphere
    • NATO
    • China
  • Analysis
    • Policy Papers
    • Symposia
    • Q&A
    • Polls
    • Grand Strategy Explained
    • Target Taiwan
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Asia / US-Korea alliance to change under Lee Jae-myung
Asia

June 10, 2025

US-Korea alliance to change under Lee Jae-myung

By Daniel DePetris

The June 3 victory of Democratic Party of Korea (DP) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung provides South Korea with an opportunity to turn the page on six months of political dysfunction.

At its core, the election was a referendum on former President Yoon Suk Yeol as well as the People Power Party (PPP), a segment of which tried to justify Yoon’s failed attempt at martial law last December.

While foreign policy issues played only a small role during the snap election, the emergence of a new South Korean government has the potential to impact the U.S.-South Korea alliance in a number of ways. Although the alliance will certainly remain intact, Washington and Seoul won’t be as in-synch as they were during Yoon’s tenure.

Read at Asia Times

Author

Photo of Daniel DePetris

Daniel
DePetris

Fellow

Defense Priorities

More on Asia

Op-edAsia, Russia, Ukraine

Breaking the Ice in Northeast Asia: President Lee’s Brazen Bet on the Arctic

By Lyle Goldstein

August 3, 2026

In the mediaEurope and Eurasia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

Jennifer Kavanagh: A Historic Shift in Asia & Ukraine Is Defeated

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

August 2, 2026

In the mediaChina, Asia

What China’s hypersonic anti-ship missile fired from a smaller destroyer signals

Featuring Lyle Goldstein

July 31, 2026

In the mediaTaiwan, Asia, China, China‑Taiwan

The Loneliest Island

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh and Stephen Wertheim

July 28, 2026

Op-edAsia, China

A New Security Order Is Taking Shape in Asia

By Jennifer Kavanagh

July 27, 2026

In the mediaChina, Asia, China‑Taiwan, Russia

China is gaining troubling military know-how from Russia

Featuring Lyle Goldstein

July 23, 2026

Events on Asia

See All Events
virtualEurope and Eurasia, Asia, Grand strategy

Assessing the 2026 NDS: Alignment with restraint?

February 9, 2026
virtualAsia

What’s Next for U.S. Foreign Policy in 2026? Asia Edition

January 14, 2026
virtualGreat power competition, Balance of power, China, Grand strategy, Middle East

U.S.-China competition and the value of Middle East influence

June 10, 2025

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • Experts
  • Papers
  • Symposia
  • Q&A
  • Polls
  • Events
  • Media
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Jobs
  • Contact
  • Donate
© 2026 Defense Priorities Foundation. All rights reserved.