Archives South Korea - Page 3 of 25 - New Eastern Outlook

On 19 March 2026, the armed forces of the Republic of Korea and the United States completed the annual spring exercises ‘Freedom Shield’, which, according to official statements, aim at ‘enhancing readiness to counter a full-scale attack from North Korea’.

We have previously analysed the reaction and the challenges that the states of the Korean Peninsula have been facing in the context of the crisis in the Greater Middle East. However, this situation is also taking its toll on cooperation between Washington and Seoul, which appears to be running into serious difficulties.

While South Korea is preoccupied with the safety of its citizens, the impact of the conflict on fuel supplies, and changes in the Seoul-Washington alliance, North Korea has expressed uncompromising political and diplomatic support for Tehran.