Amidst recent allegations by the IAEA that DPRK has resumed activities at its Yongbyon nuclear complex, the global community is now on edge. By way of expert commentary, we attempt to explicate the underlying technical and political motives of this development, as well as assess its potential bearings on future negotiations between the United States and DPRK. On this topic, we welcome Hanbeom Jeong (professor at the Korea National Defense University), Jihwan Hwang (professor at the University of Seoul), Jessica Lee (research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft), and Soo Kim (policy analyst at RAND Corporation).

The United States and China have vied for technological supremacy in advanced semiconductor design and other core technologies. However, it is unclear where this recent development in strategic technology competition between the US and China is headed, especially with regard to how the Chinese will respond. This week, Wonho Yeon (research fellow at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy), Hyunjung Yoo (research fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy), Ryan Fedasiuk (research analyst at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology), and Peter A. Petri (professor at Brandeis University) with Michael G. Plummer (professor at Johns Hopkins University) will share their opinions on the ongoing competition and its implications for the Republic of Korea.

It is unclear how the chaos now in Afghanistan will end. But it seems clear that the development there will have geopolitical impacts in the region. How will that affect the Biden administration's Asia policy and what are the implications to Korea? Jae-hung Chung (research fellow at the Sejong Institute) and Michael O'Hanlon (senior fellow at the Brookings Institution) will share their views.

Assuming negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea do resume, the next matter of contention is arriving at a reasonable arrangement acceptable to both sides. On this topic, we have asked three renowned experts to envisage a conceivable first deal scenario, predict whether each side would be receptive or not, and identify any impeding constraints. This week’s contributors are Bong-Geun Jun (professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy), Jina Kim (research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses), Gary Samore (professor at Brandeis University), and Toby Dalton (senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace).

China and DPRK seem to be strengthening their relationship by means of closer border trade and increased food aid. Scholars have debated whether China would be a facilitator or spoiler in bringing DPRK back to the negotiating table with the US. Four specialists will share their insights. Dong Ryul Lee (professor at Dongduk Women's University), Jong Chul Park (research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification), Cheng Xiaohe (professor at Renmin University of China) and Yun Sun (senior fellow at the Stimson Center) will join us.

Since nuclear negotiations between the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea broke down in September of 2019, the two nations have been wedged in a stifling stalemate. This week, we have asked four experts to assess the current impasse and propose potential catalysts that would jumpstart talks. Joining us from the Republic of Korea are Joon Hyung Kim (chancellor of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy) and Sanghyun Lee (president of the Sejong Institute), and from the United States, Scott A. Synder (senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations) and Van Jackson (professor at the Victoria University of Wellington).

Since breaking off the Stockholm nuclear negotiations in October of 2019, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has refrained from making any significant moves vis-à vis the United States. Despite the Biden administration's continuous proposals to resume negotiations, DPRK has remained nonreciprocal. To commence the official launching of Korea On Point, we have invited five distinguished experts to share their outlooks on DPRK’s latent intentions and future relations with the Republic of Korea and the United States: from the Republic of Korea, Jong-Seok Lee (senior research fellow at the Sejong Institute) and Yu-Hwan Koh (president of the Korea Institute for National Unification); from the United States, Sue Terry (senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies), Ken Gause (director and senior analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses), and Jenny Town (senior fellow at the Stimson Center).