A Korea-Japan alliance?
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan (L) and South Korean President Lee Myung Bak (R) shake hands prior to their bilateral talks at the Akasaka State Guesthouse in Tokyo, Japan, on 22 May 2011. (Photo: AAP)

Author: Peter M. Beck, CFR, Keio University

Korea-Japan relations have warmed considerably since President Lee Myung-bak took office, but new agreements have proven elusive.

After raising the idea with hundreds of Japanese, ranging from Diet members to Okinawa pineapple farmers, I have concluded that there is no time to waste for President Lee and Prime Minister Kan Naoto to pursue a formal alliance. Read more…

Can Mubarak follow South Korea’s path?
Egyptian anti-government protesters sleep in front of an army tank to prevent it from moving during the night in Tahir square, Cairo on February 4, 2011 as protesters were preparing to mass on the 11th day for sweeping 'departure day' demonstrations to force President Hosni Mubarak to quit. (Photo: AAP)

Author: Peter M. Beck, East West Center, Honolulu

As the world holds its breath to learn if the Egyptian people’s amazing struggle for democracy ends with a breakthrough or a bloodbath, President Hosni Mubarak would do well to consider the South Korea option. Ultimately, Korea’s dictators and democracy were both winners.

Like Egyptians, South Koreans endured decades of American-backed dictatorship. In the spring of 1987, Korea’s military government held sham elections not unlike the ones held in Egypt last November. Read more…