OMAHA - August 7, 2026
It’s my honor to be with you today. NCNK, Inc. – the National Committee on North Korea - is an organization funded by foundations and individuals dedicated to principled engagement with North Korea. Our members represent a wide range of experience and depth on North Korea – related issues. They are nuclear scientists, former US diplomats, agriculture and development specialists, advocates on Korean War POW/MIA issues (such as Rick Downes and Donna Knox), academics and others. My remarks today are my own, and not on behalf of NCNK.
As you are aware, the oft-repeated phrase of “No Man Left Behind”, in terms of standing firm for US soldiers in war, has not been true as applies to the Korean Conflict. There has been inconsistent emphasis and priority to the issue by US Presidents and the political appointees of administrations. However, during my 25 years of working on North Korea issues I have been impressed by the relentless efforts of the Department of Defense/War, and DPAA. When I landed in Pyongyang 25 years ago this month, my first trip to North Korea, I was amazed to see a US Air Force plane at the Pyongyang airport – connected to a POW/MIA recovery operation.
During my time working for Senator Richard Lugar and in my present position I have encountered scores of US government officials and other public servants along the way. I have met no US officials who are more professional and more committed to their work than Mr. McKeague. His leadership and the evidence of ongoing commitment to the Korean War POW/MIA issue by his colleagues is impressive.
My interest in the country began in 2002 when I first traveled to North Korea. I was Staff Director to then-Chairman Lugar at the Senate Agriculture Committee. My guide for seven days was Choe Son Hui, the present foreign minister. During additional trips for Senator Lugar while at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I would raise the POW/MIA issue at his request, usually handing the North Koreans a list of names asking for the status of those individuals. They often did not respond but were reminded of ongoing interest in the issue by the Congress.
After my years of working on issues related to North Korea – which is a short amount of time compared to the years of active commitment many of you have given - there is a key question: what are the prospects of North Korea again engaging with the US and allowing resumption of movement on POW/MIA issues?
I imagine that all of us present today were pleased that emphasis on the Korean War POW/MIA remains issue was one of four points of agreement coming out of the Singapore Summit. The North Koreans carried through, in an initial sense, by turning over the 55 boxes of remains to the United States.
However, following the failed Hanoi summit between President Trump and Leader Kim, North Korea slammed the door shut, adding a deadbolt, prohibiting any resumption of talks. Biden administration officials publicly conveyed their willingness to meet “anytime, anywhere”, however the North Koreans balked, awaiting a specific proposal or steps outlining a possible way forward. Stalemate.
In his second term in office, President Trump has repeatedly stated his interest in again meeting Leader Kim. However, to date, it appears the North Korean leader is not responding. Following the Hanoi meeting, Kim turned to Russia, fully embracing Mr. Putin, and as you’re aware, sending thousands of North Korean soldiers to fight on behalf of Russia in the war with Ukraine. North Korea is reaping billions of dollars by selling artillery shells, artillery systems, and missiles and other munitions, and its military is obtaining on-the-ground experience for possible future application on the Korean Peninsula.
Looking ahead, it’s my opinion that stronger prospects for movement on US-North Korea relations would be with the Department of War or the Central Intelligence Agency taking the lead with their North Korean counterparts or with someone from the North trusted by Kim Jong Un. You may recall there was a time during the first Trump administration when the CIA was in the lead role.
This idea intends no disrespect toward the State Department and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however in North Korea, the military and intelligence/security officials carry the weight, and need to be convinced or “brought along” whenever there are negotiations or possible agreements with the U.S.
In terms of moving forward with talks between the two countries, it’s important to point out that the ball is not entirely in North Korea’s court. Let me explain.
As I shared in a recent message to NCNK members, US officials have repeatedly stated the challenge to bring North Korea to the negotiating table. This is true.
However, it’s not all on them. I have witnessed numerous challenges to engagement from the US side. Among them is a presence of some officials throughout the US government under any Administration who, because of a number of concerns, oppose interaction with North Korea while the Kim family is in power and who stir up opposition in the US whenever the government-to-government channel activates.
Certainly, there are issues of great concern regarding North Korea – its nuclear program – human rights – cyber thefts and cyber-attacks, among others. As Americans, we have the right to disagree on policy options. However, the POW/MIA issue should not be sidelined due to a lack of engagement.
When President George W. Bush and President Trump began gaining traction with engagement, naysayers on the US side succeeded in undermining the processes, which had consequences, including impacting prospects for more success on the POW/MIA front.
On one of my visits to North Korea, meeting with then Vice Foreign Minister Kim Gye Gwan, he asked If President Bush was sincere in promising a security guarantee for his country in return for abandoning pursuit of a nuclear weapons program. I responded that I believed the President was sincere. Kim then referenced an article in an American newspaper, quoting an unnamed administration source that the US was preparing a list of sites to attack within North Korea. He said to me, “Who do I believe?”
Looking at the Minister, I replied that he should pay attention to the President’s statement and not the remarks of an anonymous source.
There are also many in the US government and Americans in general who simply lack interest in engaging with North Korea, and/or view other global issues as more pressing.
I share my personal experience because I cannot overstate the significance of your role – of reminding the Executive Branch and the Congress that whenever dialogue resumes, the POW/MIA issue must be on the agenda. You are the counter to those who either oppose engagement or are not energetic in encouraging such. The success that the US has experienced with North Korea on POW/MIA issues is due in large part because those of you here today take the long view and are persistent on keeping this issue in front of US officials.
There was much handwringing during the first Trump administration regarding the President’s personal initiatives related to the North Korean leader, with foreign policy professionals insisting “that’s not how you do diplomacy”. The traditional model is for the policy experts across a range of departments within an administration to come together and work to achieve consensus on a policy approach for conveyance to the White House for review. However, the “top down” approach of President Trump was welcomed by Kim Jong Un, who operates in a similar fashion.
While the Kim-Putin embrace is firm for the moment, it’s my opinion that in Leader Kim’s mind, he has no permanent friends – and no permanent enemies. A student of history, he knows that he lives in a rough neighborhood - mindful of the Chinese incursions onto the Korean Peninsula going back to 300 BC or so; the Mongol invasions and the Mongols compromising Korean royalty; the Japanese occupation and the Soviet Union foregoing its massive economic support of North Korea in the 1990 to 1991 timeframe.
Being a master at pivoting, the time may come, before the end of President Trump’s term, that Leader Kim will again be open to engagement in some form. By now, he will have calculated the unlikelihood of a US President other than Mr. Trump meeting with him. When that occurs, it’s important that the POW/MIA issue continue to be a key component of the US government portfolio.
In conclusion, I thank DPAA for its ongoing commitment to results and also the Coalition of Families of Korean and Cold War POW/MIAs, which has been a continual inspiration for over twenty years during my time working in the US Senate and at NCNK. Rick’s regular visits to Capitol Hill, along with the analysis of Donna, and input of others in the Coalition have all contributed to a better-informed Congress and White House.
Speaking of Capitol Hill, I’d like to commend the Congressional Research Service – the go-to source of information by Members and staff on a range of issues. During my time in the Senate, CRS was most helpful providing background information on the Korean War POW/MIA issue.
Again, thanks for having me today.