Understanding and Shaping the Ongoing Korea Crisis

March 26, 2018

The Winter Olympics brought about the appearance of a rare détente between North and South Korea after years of threats and increasing tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The two Koreas marched under a unified Korean flag, and North Korea invited South Korean President Moon Jae-in to Pyongyang for talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. But Moon warned against moving too fast toward rapprochement. He said the “right conditions” must first be created, including North Korean movement toward denuclearization.

In this Events @ RAND podcast, Bruce W. Bennett offers RAND alumni and supporters his analysis of recent developments in North Korea and suggests new strategies for putting pressure on Kim Jong-un at the negotiating table.

Bruce W. Bennett

Bruce W. Bennett

Senior International/Defense Researcher, RAND Corporation

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  • What Will Kim Jong Un Want and What He Might Give

    Verifiable denuclearization is an impossible goal, not just because Kim Jong Un may not agree, but because such a deal couldn't be fully verified if he did. But this doesn't mean there is no deal worth making for America.

    Mar 12, 2018

    James Dobbins

  • Understanding North Korea

    How should the United States respond to North Korea's provocative behavior? Even the best military options could be cataclysmically bad, but there are nonmilitary options to convince Kim Jong Un that the costs of his provocations outweigh any benefits.

    Aug 18, 2017

  • Tensions Between North Korea and the U.S.

    RAND experts Bruce Bennett, Andrew Scobell, and J.D. Williams host a conference call with news media discussing the rising tensions between North Korea and the United States. Senior Media Relations Officer Khorshied Samad moderates the call.

    Aug 16, 2017

  • North Korea's Continuous Provocations

    In this July 17th, 2017 congressional briefing, Bruce W. Bennett, Senior International/Defense Researcher, discusses North Korea's nuclear missile programs, its changing relationship with China, and implications for U.S. policy.

    Jul 17, 2017

  • A Close Look at China's Relationship with North Korea

    North Korea has been a near-constant headache for China since the early 1990s. In light of Pyongyang's recent provocations, what are Beijing's interests on the Korean Peninsula? And what is the potential for U.S.-China cooperation on the issue?

    Jun 8, 2017

    Andrew Scobell