February 27, 2019
In an op-ed for The Hill, NCNK Executive Director Keith Luse assesses the external and internal pressures on Kim Jong Un to make progress in talks with the United States while time remains on his side.
As the Hanoi summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un opens, Korea-watchers are placing bets about the anticipated success or failure of the event, typically defining “success” as the United States securing an ironclad agreement on the steps North Korea will take toward achieving denuclearization.
Many of those critical of the Trump administration’s engagement initiatives possess little knowledge or background on North Korea, or they simply are opposed to engagement. Others are unwilling to explore the merits, and reject the North Korea policy out of hand because of Trump’s involvement and his style of leadership.