South Korea

“In the Asia Pacific in the 21st century, the United States of America is all in.”

That was President Obama, speaking to the Australian Parliament this past November. As the United States refocuses its foreign policy and sets its sights on Asia, a drama is unfolding in North Korea.

It’s the summer of political conventions: Democrats in Denver, Republicans in Minneapolis, and jocks in Beijing. The Olympics are more than just fun and games—they’re also a forum for international politics. China hopes to make its Olympic games the nation’s coming out party. It’s hardly the first time the five-ring spectacle has been the venue for national agendas or grandstanding—think Moscow in 1980 or Hitler’s Berlin. And so far, controversy has surrounded Beijing—Tibet, Darfur, protests, threats of boycotts.

America Abroad analyzes the history of America's relationship with Korea before and after the Korean war; the nuclear crisis with North Korea in 1993-1994 that brought the United States to the brink of war; and current expert opinions and citizen attitudes in the United States and South Korea on the future of Korean security and the role of the United States on the peninsula. 

Guests on this program include: