Alexander Lipke
@alexlipke.bsky.social
Programme Coordinator at ECFR's Asia Programme📍Berlin
EU-East Asia Relations with a focus on the Korean Peninsula
EU-East Asia Relations with a focus on the Korean Peninsula
Pinned
The plus sides of pragmatism: How the EU can engage with South Korea’s new president
At first glance, South Korea’s next president will be less Western aligned than the last, emphasising pragmatism over value-alignment. To maintain strong ties with Seoul, Europeans will need to…
ecfr.eu
As Lee Jae-myung is delivering his acceptance speech to supporters in front of South Korea’s National Assembly, I have written down some thoughts for @ecfr.eu on how Seoul's foreign policy might shift under his Presidency, and how Europeans can engage him to keep up cooperation on crucial issues.
Very happy to have had the opportunity to write this article for @iaionline.bsky.social, as part of a wider project in Korea and the G7! The argument is not without controversy, but I think given developments in the US it is worth having a debate about the potential of different alignments.
With the #G7’s effectiveness eroding under #Trump, a G6+ format that brings South Korea into regular coordination offers a way to sustain global cooperation & preserve democratic governance
#IAIPaper by @alexlipke.bsky.social➡️ https://www.iai.it/en/node/21014
#IAIPaper by @alexlipke.bsky.social➡️ https://www.iai.it/en/node/21014
November 10, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Very happy to have had the opportunity to write this article for @iaionline.bsky.social, as part of a wider project in Korea and the G7! The argument is not without controversy, but I think given developments in the US it is worth having a debate about the potential of different alignments.
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
While European politicians are busy trading smears around green policy, Beijing has consistently viewed climate not as ideology, but as a lever of industrial power, writes @byfordt.bsky.social @ecfrasia.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/42z4ofJ
https://bit.ly/42z4ofJ
Not so fast: What China’s new climate target means for Europe and the planet
Europeans should understand that China views climate policy not as ideology—but as a lever of industrial power…
bit.ly
October 18, 2025 at 12:25 PM
While European politicians are busy trading smears around green policy, Beijing has consistently viewed climate not as ideology, but as a lever of industrial power, writes @byfordt.bsky.social @ecfrasia.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/42z4ofJ
https://bit.ly/42z4ofJ
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
A Brief Overview of the Political Situation in South Korea:
Since the coup that took place in South Korea on December 3 of last year, I have written several threads explaining the unfolding situation. I would like to once again provide a brief summary of the current state of affairs in South Korea.
Since the coup that took place in South Korea on December 3 of last year, I have written several threads explaining the unfolding situation. I would like to once again provide a brief summary of the current state of affairs in South Korea.
July 13, 2025 at 7:07 AM
A Brief Overview of the Political Situation in South Korea:
Since the coup that took place in South Korea on December 3 of last year, I have written several threads explaining the unfolding situation. I would like to once again provide a brief summary of the current state of affairs in South Korea.
Since the coup that took place in South Korea on December 3 of last year, I have written several threads explaining the unfolding situation. I would like to once again provide a brief summary of the current state of affairs in South Korea.
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
Hyundai Motor has a rare earths stockpile that can last about a year and it does not expect any near-term impact from global supply chain disruptions caused by China's export curbs
Basic question: why didn't European automakers have this stockpile?
www.reuters.com/business/aut...
Basic question: why didn't European automakers have this stockpile?
www.reuters.com/business/aut...
Exclusive: Hyundai Motor has a rare earths stockpile that can last about a year, source says
Hyundai Motor has a rare earths stockpile that can last about a year and it does not expect any near-term impact from global supply chain disruptions caused by China's export curbs, said a person who attended a company investor call.
www.reuters.com
June 11, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Hyundai Motor has a rare earths stockpile that can last about a year and it does not expect any near-term impact from global supply chain disruptions caused by China's export curbs
Basic question: why didn't European automakers have this stockpile?
www.reuters.com/business/aut...
Basic question: why didn't European automakers have this stockpile?
www.reuters.com/business/aut...
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
📢We're hiring!
Are you someone with experience of working in/on the Asian region and a strong knowledge of European foreign policy toward Asia and China?
Join ECFR as Director of the Asia Programme.
@ecfrasia.bsky.social
Are you someone with experience of working in/on the Asian region and a strong knowledge of European foreign policy toward Asia and China?
Join ECFR as Director of the Asia Programme.
@ecfrasia.bsky.social
Help shape European foreign policy | Career opportunities at ECFR
Join the ECFR team and be part of the future of European foreign policy.
ecfr.eu
June 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM
📢We're hiring!
Are you someone with experience of working in/on the Asian region and a strong knowledge of European foreign policy toward Asia and China?
Join ECFR as Director of the Asia Programme.
@ecfrasia.bsky.social
Are you someone with experience of working in/on the Asian region and a strong knowledge of European foreign policy toward Asia and China?
Join ECFR as Director of the Asia Programme.
@ecfrasia.bsky.social
As Lee Jae-myung is delivering his acceptance speech to supporters in front of South Korea’s National Assembly, I have written down some thoughts for @ecfr.eu on how Seoul's foreign policy might shift under his Presidency, and how Europeans can engage him to keep up cooperation on crucial issues.
The plus sides of pragmatism: How the EU can engage with South Korea’s new president
At first glance, South Korea’s next president will be less Western aligned than the last, emphasising pragmatism over value-alignment. To maintain strong ties with Seoul, Europeans will need to…
ecfr.eu
June 3, 2025 at 4:29 PM
As Lee Jae-myung is delivering his acceptance speech to supporters in front of South Korea’s National Assembly, I have written down some thoughts for @ecfr.eu on how Seoul's foreign policy might shift under his Presidency, and how Europeans can engage him to keep up cooperation on crucial issues.
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
Good that Japan & EU are aligned on drawing red lines. Significant concessions on sectoral tariffs are essential.
“Auto and auto parts are the biggest exporting sector from Japan to the US. If we cannot make progress in this sector, I think we cannot reach any consensus.”
www.ft.com/content/45d5...
“Auto and auto parts are the biggest exporting sector from Japan to the US. If we cannot make progress in this sector, I think we cannot reach any consensus.”
www.ft.com/content/45d5...
Japan to hold out for better trade deal with US
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s unpopular government fears concessions could prompt electoral backlash
www.ft.com
May 16, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Good that Japan & EU are aligned on drawing red lines. Significant concessions on sectoral tariffs are essential.
“Auto and auto parts are the biggest exporting sector from Japan to the US. If we cannot make progress in this sector, I think we cannot reach any consensus.”
www.ft.com/content/45d5...
“Auto and auto parts are the biggest exporting sector from Japan to the US. If we cannot make progress in this sector, I think we cannot reach any consensus.”
www.ft.com/content/45d5...
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
China's second "shock" threatens Europe's industrial core.
As Chinese firms expand into the EU, central and eastern Europe's manufacturing hubs risk becoming mere assembly lines.
Read the new policy brief by @jankaoertel.bsky.social & Jakub Jakóbowski.
@ecfrasia.bsky.social
bit.ly/3FaF3jA
As Chinese firms expand into the EU, central and eastern Europe's manufacturing hubs risk becoming mere assembly lines.
Read the new policy brief by @jankaoertel.bsky.social & Jakub Jakóbowski.
@ecfrasia.bsky.social
bit.ly/3FaF3jA
May 15, 2025 at 1:21 PM
China's second "shock" threatens Europe's industrial core.
As Chinese firms expand into the EU, central and eastern Europe's manufacturing hubs risk becoming mere assembly lines.
Read the new policy brief by @jankaoertel.bsky.social & Jakub Jakóbowski.
@ecfrasia.bsky.social
bit.ly/3FaF3jA
As Chinese firms expand into the EU, central and eastern Europe's manufacturing hubs risk becoming mere assembly lines.
Read the new policy brief by @jankaoertel.bsky.social & Jakub Jakóbowski.
@ecfrasia.bsky.social
bit.ly/3FaF3jA
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
The standout madness in the general madness are the enormous tariffs on South East Asia which, if these stick, is going to magnify China's sphere of influence. Geopolitical lunacy.
April 2, 2025 at 8:59 PM
The standout madness in the general madness are the enormous tariffs on South East Asia which, if these stick, is going to magnify China's sphere of influence. Geopolitical lunacy.
Recent ECFR data has revealed strong similarities in how Europeans and South Koreans think about some of the most pressing geopolitical issues. I dissected the most striking responses and wrote about their promise for EU-Korea relations in my latest Commentary for @ecfr.eu.
ecfr.eu/article/poll...
ecfr.eu/article/poll...
Polls, peril and partnership: Why South Korea and the EU are natural allies
South Koreans and Europeans agree that Russia is a threat, Ukraine needs support and that the new US administration is trouble. As Trump shakes the global security order, their shared concerns could s...
ecfr.eu
March 21, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Recent ECFR data has revealed strong similarities in how Europeans and South Koreans think about some of the most pressing geopolitical issues. I dissected the most striking responses and wrote about their promise for EU-Korea relations in my latest Commentary for @ecfr.eu.
ecfr.eu/article/poll...
ecfr.eu/article/poll...
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
As trade war with the US looms, and other Trumpian threats proliferate, @ecfr.eu's @tobiasgehrke.bsky.social has surveyed Europe's retaliatory options across trade, services, financial, tech & other realms.
He finds that Europeans hold more "cards" than they may realise ⬇️
ecfr.eu/publication/...
He finds that Europeans hold more "cards" than they may realise ⬇️
ecfr.eu/publication/...
Brussels hold’em: European cards against Trumpian coercion
Faced with an aggressive United States, Europe has more leverage than it realises. Across trade, technology, infrastructure, finance and people-to-people relations it has ways of retaliating…
ecfr.eu
March 21, 2025 at 11:14 AM
As trade war with the US looms, and other Trumpian threats proliferate, @ecfr.eu's @tobiasgehrke.bsky.social has surveyed Europe's retaliatory options across trade, services, financial, tech & other realms.
He finds that Europeans hold more "cards" than they may realise ⬇️
ecfr.eu/publication/...
He finds that Europeans hold more "cards" than they may realise ⬇️
ecfr.eu/publication/...
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
1/ Europe at Munich Security Conference looked like deer in Trump administration's headlights. How have we got this far without a concrete European plan for Ukraine to put on table? How is there *still* no proper consensus among major EU governments (+UK) on how far Europe is willing to step up?
February 16, 2025 at 11:35 AM
1/ Europe at Munich Security Conference looked like deer in Trump administration's headlights. How have we got this far without a concrete European plan for Ukraine to put on table? How is there *still* no proper consensus among major EU governments (+UK) on how far Europe is willing to step up?
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
The perfect storm that had been looming over the Atlantic since Trump's victory made landfall in Europe this week as JD Vance, Pete Hegseth & gang swept through the continent, leaving devastation in their wake. Below my thoughts on Europe's week from hell
www.linkedin.com/posts/noahba...
www.linkedin.com/posts/noahba...
Noah Barkin on LinkedIn: Since Donald Trump’s election victory last November, three main concerns…
Since Donald Trump’s election victory last November, three main concerns have been keeping European leaders up at night.
The first was that Trump would try…
www.linkedin.com
February 16, 2025 at 12:49 PM
The perfect storm that had been looming over the Atlantic since Trump's victory made landfall in Europe this week as JD Vance, Pete Hegseth & gang swept through the continent, leaving devastation in their wake. Below my thoughts on Europe's week from hell
www.linkedin.com/posts/noahba...
www.linkedin.com/posts/noahba...
Indeed quite a striking result. Interestingly, on most questions South Korean responses closely mirrored EU sentiment. More specific analysis on the South Korean data is coming very soon!
New @ecfr.eu survey conducted in the aftermath of the November 2024 presidential election shows how countries see Trump 2.0 for their country.
South Korea ranks last - 67% said it's bad for them.
*this was taken before the December 2024 martial law
Results here: ecfr.eu/publication/...
South Korea ranks last - 67% said it's bad for them.
*this was taken before the December 2024 martial law
Results here: ecfr.eu/publication/...
January 21, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Indeed quite a striking result. Interestingly, on most questions South Korean responses closely mirrored EU sentiment. More specific analysis on the South Korean data is coming very soon!
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
SEARCHING FOR DEUTSCHLAND, @jpuglierin.bsky.social's and my pop-up @ecfr.eu podcast on the European and global dimensions of the German election, starts today!
Episode 1 here: ecfr.eu/podcast-seri...
Episode 1 here: ecfr.eu/podcast-seri...
🎧Join @jeremycliffe.bsky.social & @jpuglierin.bsky.social tomorrow for the first episode of “Searching for Deutschland”, in which they explore Germany’s role at home & abroad.
ecfr.eu/podcasts/epi...
ecfr.eu/podcasts/epi...
January 17, 2025 at 7:47 AM
SEARCHING FOR DEUTSCHLAND, @jpuglierin.bsky.social's and my pop-up @ecfr.eu podcast on the European and global dimensions of the German election, starts today!
Episode 1 here: ecfr.eu/podcast-seri...
Episode 1 here: ecfr.eu/podcast-seri...
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
Thank you for all the suggestions - updated the list the think tank starter pack with 7 further European Think Tanks:
bsky.app/starter-pack...
bsky.app/starter-pack...
January 17, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Thank you for all the suggestions - updated the list the think tank starter pack with 7 further European Think Tanks:
bsky.app/starter-pack...
bsky.app/starter-pack...
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
At least 300 North Korean soldiers dispatched to support Moscow's war in Ukraine have been killed, with some 2,700 others injured, South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) said Monday.
en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2025...
en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2025...
January 13, 2025 at 3:48 PM
At least 300 North Korean soldiers dispatched to support Moscow's war in Ukraine have been killed, with some 2,700 others injured, South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) said Monday.
en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2025...
en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2025...
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
Musk-Booster für die AfD auf X: Durchschnittlich erreichte ein Post von Alice Weidel in den letzten 2 Wochen ca. 1 Mio. Impressions (links), mehrere wurden von Musk repostet. Ein riesiger Unterschied zur durchschnittlichen Reichweite in den letzten 12 Monaten (rechts). Quelle: bundesdatenschau.com
January 9, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Musk-Booster für die AfD auf X: Durchschnittlich erreichte ein Post von Alice Weidel in den letzten 2 Wochen ca. 1 Mio. Impressions (links), mehrere wurden von Musk repostet. Ein riesiger Unterschied zur durchschnittlichen Reichweite in den letzten 12 Monaten (rechts). Quelle: bundesdatenschau.com
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
It's no exaggeration to say there is a torrent of news in South Korea right now. Blinken is visiting, while investigators trying to figure out how/when to arrest Yoon, impeachment trials of Yoon and the impeached PM under prep, ongoing Jeju Air investigation, now a North Korean ballistic missile.
January 6, 2025 at 3:28 AM
It's no exaggeration to say there is a torrent of news in South Korea right now. Blinken is visiting, while investigators trying to figure out how/when to arrest Yoon, impeachment trials of Yoon and the impeached PM under prep, ongoing Jeju Air investigation, now a North Korean ballistic missile.
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
#SouthKorea’s political turmoil continues. Political norms,
such as grounds for impeaching an acting President, remain highly contentious & trust in v short supply as DP accuses now fmr acting Pres Han as backing #Yoon’s martial law coup
. koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-12...
such as grounds for impeaching an acting President, remain highly contentious & trust in v short supply as DP accuses now fmr acting Pres Han as backing #Yoon’s martial law coup
. koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-12...
Acting President Han is impeached as Korea's political crisis escalates
Political turmoil in Korea deepened as the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Friday afternoon, suspending the country’s second ...
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
December 27, 2024 at 2:36 PM
#SouthKorea’s political turmoil continues. Political norms,
such as grounds for impeaching an acting President, remain highly contentious & trust in v short supply as DP accuses now fmr acting Pres Han as backing #Yoon’s martial law coup
. koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-12...
such as grounds for impeaching an acting President, remain highly contentious & trust in v short supply as DP accuses now fmr acting Pres Han as backing #Yoon’s martial law coup
. koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-12...
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
1/ Latest from S. Korea:
- Opposition files impeachment motion against Acting President Han Duck-soo after he refuses to appoint 3 new Constitutional Court justices
- CC to begin Yoon impeachment hearing tomorrow
Yoon is still silent, hasn't submitted documents, and isn't cooperating
- Opposition files impeachment motion against Acting President Han Duck-soo after he refuses to appoint 3 new Constitutional Court justices
- CC to begin Yoon impeachment hearing tomorrow
Yoon is still silent, hasn't submitted documents, and isn't cooperating
December 26, 2024 at 7:17 AM
1/ Latest from S. Korea:
- Opposition files impeachment motion against Acting President Han Duck-soo after he refuses to appoint 3 new Constitutional Court justices
- CC to begin Yoon impeachment hearing tomorrow
Yoon is still silent, hasn't submitted documents, and isn't cooperating
- Opposition files impeachment motion against Acting President Han Duck-soo after he refuses to appoint 3 new Constitutional Court justices
- CC to begin Yoon impeachment hearing tomorrow
Yoon is still silent, hasn't submitted documents, and isn't cooperating
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
In my latest analysis, I write about the reasons for the imposition and failure of martial law, the dispute over the impeachment of the president, and the prospects for the biggest political crisis in South Korea's democratic history. 👇
www.pism.pl/publications...
www.pism.pl/publications...
December 17, 2024 at 10:51 AM
In my latest analysis, I write about the reasons for the imposition and failure of martial law, the dispute over the impeachment of the president, and the prospects for the biggest political crisis in South Korea's democratic history. 👇
www.pism.pl/publications...
www.pism.pl/publications...
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
NEW PAPER: The 2022 fossil fuel price jumps caused an oil and gas profit explosion. We show the US reaped the largest profit increase (USD 275bn) of any country. Big Oil claims this benefits the American people. In fact, 51% went to the richest 1%, only 1% to the bottom 50%. A 🧵
December 12, 2024 at 11:51 PM
NEW PAPER: The 2022 fossil fuel price jumps caused an oil and gas profit explosion. We show the US reaped the largest profit increase (USD 275bn) of any country. Big Oil claims this benefits the American people. In fact, 51% went to the richest 1%, only 1% to the bottom 50%. A 🧵
Reposted by Alexander Lipke
"There is irony in the fact that Yoon — who made support for democratic values and freedom the theme of South Korea’s global role and of his presidency — may be remembered for the most undemocratic of actions taken at home"
- @victordcha.bsky.social on @financialtimes.com
- @victordcha.bsky.social on @financialtimes.com
The resilience of South Korea’s democracy remains in doubt
How this ends is uncertain, but the nightmare scenario would be a return of the military to the streets
www.ft.com
December 11, 2024 at 3:12 PM
"There is irony in the fact that Yoon — who made support for democratic values and freedom the theme of South Korea’s global role and of his presidency — may be remembered for the most undemocratic of actions taken at home"
- @victordcha.bsky.social on @financialtimes.com
- @victordcha.bsky.social on @financialtimes.com