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North Korea, formerly designated a state sponsor of terrorism by the United States, emerged as a nuclear-armed enigma under the dictatorship of Kim-Jong Il. RAND’s research on both deterrence and failed states includes expert analysis of the North Korean regime, opportunities for its modernization and democratization, and implications for post–Cold War geopolitics.

Report

How to Prepare North Korean Elites for Unification

Apr 27, 2017

North Korean propaganda suggests that unification led by the South would be a disaster for Northern elites. Unless the elites are convinced otherwise, peaceful unification may be impossible. What could South Korea do to help them feel better about, or at least less resistant to, unification?
Multimedia

China and North Korea

Jun 8, 2017

Overview of testimony presented by Andrew Scobell before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on June 8, 2017.

Explore North Korea

Commentary

Are Chemical Weapons Becoming a Tacitly Accepted Weapon of War?

The international community should consider serious options to hold perpetrators of chemical attacks accountable and stop further attacks. These are not easy choices. But the alternative is accepting that long-held norms are crumbling, and the world is sliding back to a time when inhumane tools of war were common.

Apr 18, 2018
Blog

Preparing for U.S.-North Korea Talks

If a meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and President Trump takes place, what are the chances it will lead to meaningful progress? And what should U.S. leaders be thinking about as they prepare? RAND's Bruce Bennett discusses.

Apr 5, 2018
Report

Options for Flying Contraband into North Korea

Activist groups in South Korea are seeking improvements in the balloons they use to carry political, religious, and humanitarian materials across the border into North Korea. Balloon delivery techniques have evolved and some have started using hexacopter drones. How effective are these methods?

Apr 2, 2018
Multimedia

Understanding and Shaping the Ongoing Korea Crisis

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.

Mar 26, 2018
Commentary

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
Brochure

Brochure

Preparing for Major Challenges to National Security: Arroyo Center 2016-2017

RAND Arroyo Center prepared this report for the U.S. Army to summarize four major threats to national security -- those represented by Russia, North Korea, the Middle East, and China.

Mar 2, 2018
Commentary

North Korean Sanctions to Make for Interesting U.S.-China Trade Talks

With one of China's top officials arriving in Washington for trade talks, this might not be the best time to impose additional tariffs on Chinese exports, as the Trump administration has been threatening.

Feb 28, 2018
Commentary

Joint Military Exercise Can Be a Bargaining Chip with North Korea

Since 1976, the United States and South Korea have scheduled large-scale joint military exercises each year. Postponing the exercises this year has led to some signs that North Korea might be open to diplomacy. Delaying the exercises further could lead to direct talks between Washington and Pyongyang.

Feb 23, 2018
Commentary

At Olympics, U.S. and Korean Leaders Revive Familiar Roles

The current spate of North-South Korean diplomacy could be short-lived, giving way to resumed tensions and mounting fears of war. It seems possible, however, that South Korean President Moon Jae-in will succeed in brokering direct talks between Pyongyang and Washington.

Feb 22, 2018
Commentary

Why the 2018 Winter Olympics Are the Perfect Storm for Cyberattacks

The Olympic Games could invite the most severe cyber threats to a major sporting event in recent years. The location of the Games and increased connectivity, both among the public and infrastructure, make them a prime target for cyberattacks.

Feb 12, 2018
Commentary

Countering North Korea's Political Warfare

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has outmaneuvered South Korean President Moon Jae-in in the month leading up to the Olympics. This has dangerous consequences for South Korea's security, democracy, and its alliance with the United States.

Feb 11, 2018
Blog

Trump's First State of the Union: Insights from RAND

RAND research, analysis, and expertise provide context for the issues discussed in the president's first State of the Union address, including infrastructure, North Korea, and opioids.

Jan 31, 2018
Multimedia

Assessing North Korea's Chemical and Biological Weapons Capabilities and Prioritizing Countermeasures

International policy analyst John V. Parachini outlines what is known about North Korea's chemical and biological weapons capabilities—and what can be done to mitigate the threats.

Jan 17, 2018
Testimony

North Korea's Chemical and Biological Weapons Capabilities—and How to Counter Them

Any conflict on the Korean Peninsula could entail the use of chemical or biological weapons. For this reason, it's important to ensure the attention given to North Korea's nuclear weapons doesn't cause authorities to overlook these threats.

Jan 17, 2018
Commentary

Nothing New from North Korea

Kim Jong Un's recent proposal for talks with South Korea is by no means unprecedented. And while the overture could somewhat ease tensions in the region, there is no reason to believe that Kim is ready to give up his nuclear arsenal.

Jan 12, 2018
Announcement

Gift from the Korea Foundation Establishes Chair in Korea Policy Studies

The RAND Corporation has received a $750,000 gift from the Korea Foundation to establish a chair in Korea policy studies at RAND, commencing in 2018. The chair will support a senior scholar who will manage a research agenda on Korea's international security, mentor Korea studies scholars, and build partnerships with research institutes in Korea.

Jan 9, 2018
Commentary

South Korea Picking the Wrong Fight

Washington may need to encourage Seoul to find ways to cooperate with Tokyo in confronting threats from the region's revisionist actors, rather than picking fights with Japan.

Jan 7, 2018
Commentary

China's Reluctance on Sanctions Enforcement in North Korea

It's fair to question whether Beijing intends to fully enforce sanctions against the Kim Jong Un regime because such actions tend to undermine China's approach in North Korea. Beijing likely seeks to prevent the collapse of the North Korean regime to ensure that neither a spillover of refugees nor a reunified pro-U.S. Korea emerges on its doorstep.

Jan 4, 2018
Multimedia

Recommendations for a Future National Defense Strategy

Drawing from his expertise and war-game experience, David Ochmanek provides recommendations to inform a future national defense strategy. He explains that while U.S. forces are currently misaligned with challenges from the country's greatest adversaries, including China and Russia, gaps can be overcome with investments in existing technology to protect our forward bases; reach into contested areas; and identify, track, and engage enemy forces.

Nov 30, 2017
Testimony

Recommendations for a Future National Defense Strategy

War games and analysis suggest that U.S. forces could lose the next war they are called upon to fight. The nation must invest in new field systems and military capabilities to create a robust defensive posture vis-à-vis China, Russia, and other adversaries.

Nov 30, 2017

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RAND Topic:
North Korea

Topic Synonyms:
Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea

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