China remains Pyongyang's biggest trade partner and arguably has most leverage on Kim Jong-Il's regime. But the relationship is a difficult one, experts say.

Despite their deep economic ties, animosity between China and Japan periodically resurfaces over territorial, historical, and economic disputes.

The new prime minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, faces the difficult task of mending frayed relations with China and South Korea. Experts say that Abe has made initial progress, but the North Korea nuclear test presents new challenges for northeast Asian relations.

North Korea’s nuclear test may further damage nonproliferation efforts, as well as complicate ongoing negotiations with Iran to suspend its nuclear program. Much will depend on the response from Moscowand Beijing.

The government of North Korean President Kim Jung-Il retains a virtual death grip on the nation's economy, directing all official economic activity through an authoritarian command system. But recent moves to liberalize some aspects of the economy pose a dilemma for Kim: the country needs to modernize to survive, but opening up the economy will threaten his hold on power.

News reports say the United States may be shifting its approach toward North Korea in an ongoing effort to get Pyongyang to give up its nuclear program. But some experts say that with negotiations stalled and important U.S. elections approaching, North Korea is content to wait out the Bush administration.

Japan's constitution forbids a traditional military, allowing only a narrowly defined Self Defense Force, or SDF. Some experts now see acceleration in the longstanding movement to modernize and strengthen the country's national defense.

South Korea, long a stalwart ally of the United States, is now seeking to define a new role for itself in Asia.

North Korea's recent nuclear program and recent nuclear test have resulted in on-going negotiations aimed at North Korea's cooperation with the international community.

A profile of the Japanese religious cult that carried out the 1995 subway sarin attack.

The world's leading North Korea experts analyze the challenges and prospects the country is facing.

An exploration of the possibilities for enhanced U.S.-ROK cooperation in both traditional and nontraditional spheres.

With China now South Korea's number-one trading partner and destination for foreign investment and tourism, what are the implications for politics and security in East Asia? Scott Snyder explores the transformation of the Sino–South Korean relationship since the early 1990s.

Further provocations by North Korea as well as other dangerous military interactions on or around the Korean peninsula remain a serious risk and carry the danger of unintended escalation.

North Korea has long been a serious concern to Washington. Now, with President Kim Jong-Il reportedly in bad health and possibly naming a successor, the United States must consider possible outcomes should the situation deteriorate and the current North Korean government collapse. This report examines the challenges that these scenarios would pose--ranging from securing Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal to providing humanitarian assistance--in the context of the interests of the United States and others in its valuable recommendations.