Junotane

My name is Jeffrey Robertson, aka Junotane. On this site, I write on foreign policy, diplomacy and the Korean Peninsula.

As an advisory warning, it’s direct, no holds barred, cutting commentary from in-country. It may offend. There’s no government baloney, no corporate cream, and no thinktank spruiking. Just free-thinking insight - commentary, analysis and fiction.

From here you can head on over to read About Junotane, including subscriptions and contact details; or you can head straight to the Writing section where you will find Analysis, Commentary, and Fiction on the Korean Peninsula and the the region.

Thanks for visiting and remember: be thankful, be nice, and help people - life is short :)

Youth attitudes to South Korea’s foreign policy
Youth attitudes to South Korea’s foreign policy

The inclusion of youth in foreign policy is not merely a symbolic gesture; it is a strategic imperative to bring fresh perspectives, drive change, and help build trust in governmental institutions.

2024 08 24

South Korea and feminist foreign policy
South Korea and feminist foreign policy

Over the last decade, countries like Sweden, Canada, and Australia sought to implement aspects of feminist foreign policy (FFP) into their diplomatic, defense, development, and trade policies.

2024 08 20

South Korea and fears of abandonment
South Korea and fears of abandonment

While South Korea still values its alliance with the US, it is taking steps to reduce its vulnerability and prepare for scenarios where US support might not be as robust as it once was.

2024 08 20

Seoul’s foreign policy conferences
Seoul’s foreign policy conferences

Every year, Seoul hosts a number of large-scale government and/or think-tank conferences focused on foreign policy and the Korean Peninsula, which routinely fall short of expectations.

2024 08 20

Political polarization and South Korea’s foreign policy
Political polarization and South Korea’s foreign policy

Anyone watching South Korea’s politics is aware that the landscape has become increasingly polarized, with a deepening and importantly dynamic divide between progressives and conservatives.

2024 08 18

South Korea’s diplomatic training needs a shake-up
South Korea’s diplomatic training needs a shake-up

The Korea National Diplomatic Academy is doing some important work, but it’s also got a few wrinkles that need ironing out. From updating its curriculum to offering more practical experiences and shaking up its recruitment process, there’s a lot of room for improvement.

2024 08 15

NATO Summit will highlight political risk in Yoon Administration
NATO Summit will highlight political risk in Yoon Administration

The visit of Yoon to the U.S. will highlight medium term political risks that will increase as late-term opposition to the Yoon Administration grows.

2024 07 03

Irrational pursuits of nuclear weapons
Irrational pursuits of nuclear weapons

The Washington Declaration will sooner or later become irrelevant because it doesn’t address the behavioral justifications in the pursuit of nuclear weapons

2024 07 02

South Korea’s nuclear weapons hold a place in the national consciousness
South Korea’s nuclear weapons hold a place in the national consciousness

Without a commensurate education and publicity campaign, the Washington Declaration will never address the broader, underlying sense of vulnerability ingrained in the language, geography, history and culture.

2024 06 26

Koreas policy: Sorting fact with fiction
Koreas policy: Sorting fact with fiction

Single sentence summary

2024 06 15