Knowing North Korea

Knowing North Korea 2025

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The application window for the 2025 program has closed. 

The Program

The Korean Peninsula is at a crossroads. While the impact of recent political upheaval reverberates across South Korea, the North continues to strengthen its defense pact with Russia, test its ballistic missiles, and strategize its approach to US-North Korea relations following the election of President Donald Trump. A new order is at play.

To better understand the future, it is imperative to draw upon the past - especially when studying North Korea. The National Committee on North Korea’s “Knowing North Korea” (KNK) workshop seeks to provide graduate-level scholars and young professionals with a window into North Korea’s past and present to better equip them to face the challenges of the future. 

Over the course of two days, the workshop supplies participants with a comprehensive overview of critical topics related to North Korea, as well as an introduction to practical skill sets that can enhance and broaden a career in North Korea-focused analysis and research. Participants will also have the opportunity to network and engage in discussion with North Korea specialists, policy professionals and US government officials. While the 2025 agenda has not yet been released, we plan to address hot-button issues such as prospects for peace and de-escalation of tensions on the Peninsula, a review of North Korea’s economy, life within North Korea and possible new approaches to the nuclear issue. 

Selected participants may be eligible to receive domestic roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations for the duration of the two-day program. Scholars who are US citizens residing outside of the United States may also be eligible to receive a participant support stipend meant to partially offset the costs of travel. Scholars and young professionals from outside of the Washington D.C. metro area are particularly encouraged to apply.

About NCNK

The National Committee on North Korea (NCNK) is a non-governmental organization of persons with significant and diverse expertise related to North Korea. NCNK and its members support principled engagement with North Korea as a means to promote peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and to improve the lives of the people of  North Korea. NCNK also works to provide policymakers, the academic and think-tank community, and the general public with substantive and balanced information about developments in North Korea. NCNK was founded by Mercy Corps, a global aid and development organization, in 2004.

Participant Selection Criteria

NCNK seeks a robust, varied cohort of participants and we encourage all who are interested to apply. However, qualified applicants are expected to have one or more of the following: 

  • A masters degree either completed or in-progress with a focus on Asia, the Korean Peninsula, international relations, security, etc. Exceptional applicants with a completed bachelors degree and substantive, relevant professional experience may be considered. 
  • Demonstrated interest in the Korean Peninsula, Northeast Asia, or related subject matter.
  • An academic or professional background in Korean affairs, as shown by coursework, academic research, publications, internships, language training, etc.
  • A planned career trajectory that includes an emphasis on Korean affairs or more broadly on issues such as nuclear nonproliferation, economic development and human rights within the dynamics of Northeast Asia.
  • Applications are only open to citizens of the United States.

We would also particularly welcome applicants to:

  • Have a demonstrated record of support for principled engagement as a means of addressing security, humanitarian, and other issues on the Korean Peninsula.
  • Are based outside of the Washington DC metro area or who otherwise haven’t had the opportunity to gain extensive experience working or studying in and around DC.

How to Apply 

A complete application must include the following: 

  1. A completed Application Form
  2. A resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
  3. A Letter of Interest that addresses the following (500 words max)
    1. Why are you interested in participating in this workshop?
    2. Please describe your career goals and/or main areas of research or professional interest in North Korea and/or Northeast Asia.
  4. One letter of recommendation, submitted directly to [email protected] by the recommender. 

Submission Instructions

Applicants should send all completed application materials in PDF format to [email protected] by Friday, March 14, 2025. In your submission email, please use the subject line “2025 KNK Workshop Application – First and Last Name”. Any inquiries regarding the program or the application process should be sent to [email protected].