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Jeon Su-mi

Jeon Su-mi (sumijeon@ssu.ac.kr), an attorney, is an invited professor at the Soongsil Institute for Peace and Unification. She was a member of the Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation. Her areas of specialty includes South Korean politics and foreign policy, North Korea politics and human rights.

Jeon Su-mi

South Korea needs a foreign policy reset — not more performance

Following President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, South Korea finds itself at a critical juncture, poised to rethink and restructure its diplomatic strategy. Especially now, the snap presidential election slated for June 3 is two weeks away. Historically, South Korea's geographic location and geopolitical circumstances have demanded a sophisticated and disciplined foreign policy approach. However, internal flaws rooted in emotional posturing, symbolic gestures, and a lack of strategic discipline now require urgent rectification. South Korea is the world’s tenth-largest economy and an essential U.S. ally in East Asia, yet it still often approaches diplomacy with uncertainty about its global role. The country frequently relies on "goodwill diplomacy," assuming that sincerity and restraint will inevitably prompt reciprocal responses from counterparts. However, international relations operate on strategic incentives, timing, and power dynamics, rather than moral obligations. Without clear strategies, repetitive goodwill gestures inadvertently become baseline expectations, significantly r

May 18, 2025By Jeon Su-mi
South Korea needs a foreign policy reset — not more performance
Jeon Su-mi

Differing approaches to denuclearization: US and NK perspectives

Following the U.S.-Japan summit in Washington on Feb. 7, U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated they have “grave concern(s) over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs” and their “firm commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea.” This statement underscores both the U.S. commitment to the principle of denuclearization and its willingness to engage in negotiations with Pyongyang.

Feb 18, 2025By Jeon Su-mi
Differing approaches to denuclearization: US and NK perspectives
Jeon Su-mi

Sovereignty should be exercised wisely

President Yoon Seok Yeol's seemingly "unmindful" behavior continues. The promises of creating a better government are not being kept, and despite being in power for over a year, there is a constant evasion of responsibility by blaming "the previous administration." On "reliance on foreign powers- dependency on others," the fate of the nation seem entrusted to Japan and the United States, and their leaders. After gaining power, Korea's independence fighters were insulted as communists, and there were even discussions raised about removing the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin. The administration seems to turn a blind eye to the discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima, which directly impacts the lives of the public, create a risk of war on the Korean Peninsula, and looks on as national debt increases. All in all, the people's anger grows day by day amid the suffering.

Oct 24, 2023By Jeon Su-mi
Sovereignty should be exercised wisely
Jeon Su-mi

'Excessive' remarks deepen schism in society

By Jeon Su-miThe Aug. 15 speech by President Yoon Suk Yeol has ignited significant discussions. The crux of the matter lies in President Yoon's mention of “communist totalitarian forces disguising themselves under the banners of democracy, human rights and progress.” This has sparked great interest. In fact, the term “totalitarianism” has been invoked in the context of interpreting North Korea, which President Yoon considers a potential opponent and is contemplating preemptive measures. While North Korean children warmly smile and tell foreign visitors in Pyongyang, “We are happy” or “We don't envy the world,” it remains challenging to discern the personal emotions of these children as opposed to the staged emotions they display. The totalitarian nature of North Korean society has consistently raised concerns about human rights in North Korea and this discourse has extended to highlighting the value of “freedom” in the Republic of Korea, emphasizing it as a precious principle that must be safeguarded.It cannot be said that w

Aug 31, 2023By Jeon Su-mi
Jeon Su-mi

Still seeking solutions to Korea-Japan bilateral relations

By Jeon Su-miKorea-Japan relations, Korea always compares the attitudes of Japan with post-World War II Germany. While Germany adequately apologized for the past and thoroughly educates new generations about its history, in Japan's case, after the prime minister's apology, Japanese politicians continue to visit the Yasukuni Shrine every year, which honors war criminals. Besides, Germany refers to losing the war as 'defeat,' but Japan refers to its loss as 'the end of the war.'Moreover, Germany named the Allied Forces “occupation forces” at the time, but Japan referred to them by an obscure name making it impossible to know who won and who lost the war. These historical expressions are also the reason why Japan is criticized for not reflecting on its history.Korea continues to raise the issue that Japan did not make a genuine apology and contrition regarding colonization. Japan, currently, states that South Korea's raising of the issue of forced labor is a violation of the two countries' 1965 Agreement. There are voices asking why among many other Asian countries, apologie

Feb 23, 2023By Jeon Su-mi
Still seeking solutions to Korea-Japan bilateral relations
Jeon Su-mi

We must create a Korean Peninsula of reconciliation and coexistence

By Jeon Su-miRecently, as North Korea roamed our airspace with its drones. President Yoon Seok Yeol said, “To achieve peace, we must prepare for an overwhelmingly superior war.” Is he saying that prevention is better than cure? As U.S.-North Korea relations change again and trust between them collapses, it is necessary for us to be prepared for North Korea's self-defense measures that will likely follow.On the other hand, an improvement of inter-Korean relations is not just a by-product of the U.S.-North Korea relationship but is also required so as to secure the “motive power to promote the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.” It is no coincidence that the Kim Dae-jung administration, which hoped for speedy reunification through the Sunshine Policy, prepared for a sudden change in North Korea. However, based on what President Yoon has said since the time he was a candidate about “preemptive strikes” and “the main enemy being North Korea” and, since his election, that he would punish any provocation by North Korea, we feel in real

Jan 18, 2023By Jeon Su-mi
We must create a Korean Peninsula of reconciliation and coexistence
Jeon Su-mi

Now is the time to protect Korean citizens

By Jeon Su-miRecently, in response to a written inquiry by Voice of America (VOA) asking about the U.S. government's position on resolving the issue of the six South Korean citizens detained in North Korea, the U.S. State Department spokesperson's office said, “We continue to ask the DPRK [North Korean] government to release all political prisoners and to investigate the disappearance of Japanese abductees and of the six South Koreans detained in the DPRK.”This position also matches the declaration at the recent South Korea-U.S.-Japan summit meeting held in Cambodia, showing a joint response to the issue of detainees and abductees from the South and Japan in the present situation where the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK, North Korea's official name) is developing nuclear weapons and continuing to develop missiles, posing an increasing security threat to neighboring countries.The first major point of contention is that the DPRK must acknowledge the detention of South Korean citizens in the DPRK, since if they do not even acknowledge the detention, even attempt

Dec 29, 2022By Jeon Su-mi
Now is the time to protect Korean citizens
Jeon Su-mi

Real public mourning for Halloween tragedy begins

By Jeon Su-miI couldn't help but be devastated at the sight of the student who was in front of me, crying and saying, “Professor, my family member was a victim of the Itaewon disaster. I don't know what to do.” Students and foreign friends and others have all become victims of the disaster. The Oct. 29 tragedy flew at me like a dagger. But grieving couldn't ease my pain, because the state had defined the intensity, scope and period of mourning, and attacked those of us who complained, calling it “politicization of a disaster.” However, during the official mourning period and beyond, there is still no one in the government taking responsibility.Although Article 34 Clause 5 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea stipulates that the state should make efforts to prevent disasters and protect the people from such dangers, government ministers are evading responsibility, saying, “We did as much as we could,” and, “We expected a crowd, but never expected this situation to arise.” Although the state has an unlimited responsibility for the

Nov 28, 2022By Jeon Su-mi
Real public mourning for Halloween tragedy begins
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