05/04/2026 Why Kim Jong Un Won’t Pick Up the Phone and What to Do About It
In an article for War on the Rocks, Korea Society Policy Director Jonathan Corrado examines why North Korea has remained reluctant to engage in negotiations with the United States and South Korea despite recent shifts toward greater flexibility on denuclearization. Drawing on the history of U.S.–North Korea negotiations and changes in North Korea’s strategic position, Corrado argues that the current approach should focus less on achieving complete denuclearization and more on arms control and tangible risk reduction.
This War-era Humanitarian Rescue Story Undercuts North Korean Propaganda
In an article for The Diplomat, Korea Society Policy Director Jonathan Corrado examines how the history of the Hungnam evacuation during the Korean War challenges North Korea’s portrayal of the United States and South Korea. Corrado highlights how more than 90,000 North Korean refugees were rescued and brought to safety in South Korea, arguing that this humanitarian story offers a powerful counterpoint to decades of Pyongyang’s anti-American and anti-South Korean propaganda. He suggests that sharing the story with North Korean audiences could help reshape perceptions and lay cultural foundations for future reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula.
Policy director Jonathan Corrado appeared in the spring/summer edition of the American Merchant Marine Veterans magazine.
Corrado participated in a conference commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Hungnam Evacuation, during which time U.S. and South Korean forces collaborated to rescue nearly 100,000 civilians and deliver them from harm’s way at the height of The Korean War to the safety of Geoje Island in South Korea.
The Korea Society and Korea–America Association (KAA) Reaffirmed Shared Commitment to U.S.–Korea Relations
Dr. Abraham Kim met with Amb. Choi Joong-kyung, Chairman and President of the Korea–America Association (KAA), to explore opportunities for collaboration and further advance U.S.–Korea relations.
Founded in 1963, KAA is a prominent civic organization with a long history of promoting U.S.–Korea relations. Its former leaders include distinguished foreign ministers Han Sung-joo and Park Jin. The discussion between Dr. Kim and Amb. Choi, a former Minister of Knowledge Economy, focused on potential collaboration in U.S.–Korea industrial cooperation and Korean investment in the United States, including ways to address workforce and immigration challenges facing Korean companies operating in the country. Amb. Choi also praised The Korea Society’s Cross-Cultural Leadership Initiative (CCLI) and its efforts to address cross-cultural challenges facing Korean companies and foster better understanding between Korean and American employees and business counterparts.
The two organizations also identified a shared interest in preserving the legacy of the U.S.–Korea alliance. KAA honored General Matthew Ridgway at its annual gala last year, while The Korea Society continued its tradition of presenting the General James A. Van Fleet Award to individuals and organizations whose leadership and contributions have significantly advanced bilateral relations. This year, The Korea Society presented the 2026 Van Fleet Award to Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of NVIDIA, in recognition of his leadership in advancing transformative innovation and technological cooperation between the United States and Korea. The Korea Society also introduced an initiative led by Van Fleet Leadership Council member Chairman Sunny Park to establish a Korean War UN Veterans Memorial in Seoul.
The meeting underscored the shared commitment of both organizations to broadening engagement across business, policy, education, and civic affairs and to advancing the U.S.–Korea partnership.
In a new video program produced by The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado spoke with Korea Society Board Director Dr. Victor Cha and NCAFP Director of the Forum on Asia-Pacific Security Susan Thornton about shifting U.S. and Chinese strategies toward the Korean Peninsula.
The discussion begins by examining how recent U.S. policy shifts—including modified joint military exercises and diplomatic outreach—impact the U.S.–ROK alliance. They also evaluate how North Korea’s military involvement with Russia alters Beijing’s leverage and regional security dynamics.
Next, the panel delves into regional perceptions of Kim Jong Un’s “two hostile states” policy and the abandonment of unification, exploring its implications for South Korean domestic politics and alliance stability.
The discussion also assesses the diminishing U.S.–PRC consensus on denuclearization alongside South Korea’s foreign policy approach under the Lee administration, which favors pragmatic, principled engagement across the region.
Finally, the experts analyze potential crisis escalation scenarios on the peninsula, emphasizing the need for effective U.S.–China crisis communication and contingency planning to prevent conflict.
The Korea Society President & CEO Abraham Kim recently traveled across Montana, meeting with state officials, academic leaders, business executives, and civic leaders to explore opportunities to deepen connections between the state, Korea, and Asia at large.
Dr. Kim also traveled to Missoula, Yellowstone National Park, the real-life location of “Dutton Ranch”, and other locations across the state. The trip held particular significance for Dr. Kim, who previously spent six years in Montana and has continued to return to the state annually since his departure.
Alongside a series of meetings, the visit offered opportunities to experience Montana’s natural, cultural, and scientific attractions, including dinosaur fossils, caves, rivers, hot springs, and wilderness.
Special thanks to Matt Olson of the Montana Chamber of Commerce, a longtime friend of President Kim, for organizing productive meetings, and to Andrew Stroup for joining President Kim throughout the journey.
The innovative and inspiring natural landscape of Montana revealed tremendous potential to build new bridges, strengthen relationships, and expand collaboration with Korea and Asia.
The Korea Society President & CEO Abraham Kim recently visited LX Pantos Americas’ regional headquarters in Teaneck, New Jersey, where he met with CEO David Bang to discuss the importance of supply chain and logistics in strengthening U.S.–Korea economic cooperation.
The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on the evolving U.S.–Korea economic relationship and the critical role of supply chains and logistics in supporting growing cooperation between the two countries. Dr. Kim also toured the company’s headquarters and learned more about LX Pantos Americas’ operations and vision.
During the visit, President Kim signed a large-scale mural commissioned for the opening of the company’s headquarters earlier this year. His signature joins those of other guests and contributors on the artwork, which reflects LX Pantos’ culture and vision for the future.
The Korea Society thanks LX Pantos Americas and CEO David Bang for hosting Dr. Kim and for the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue on strengthening U.S.–Korea ties.
Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado was featured in a recent CBC Interview about US President Donald Trump’s decision to halt military exercises and offer an olive branch to North Korea.
On Friday, August 14, The Korea Society hosted the inaugural Kim Koo Leadership Development Seminar. This exclusive program convened 18 distinguished professionals from the corporate, financial, policy, academic, and civil society sectors for training modules led by world-class instructors on strategic communications, networking, and artificial intelligence.
The seminar empowered Fellows with the professional tools, network, and public-spirited vision needed to drive positive change in the U.S.-Korea relationship. It was made possible by the generous support of The Kim Koo Foundation and built upon the decade-long success of The Kim Koo Professional Series.
In the session titled, Communication, Networking, and Leadership, Fellows engaged in experiential training focused on refining leadership styles and strategies, building frameworks for impactful networking, and developing tools for effective cross-cultural communication. The session was led by Stuart Luth, a Consultant & Coach at Templar Advisors with more than two decades of executive advisory experience following a career on Wall Street managing relations with Fortune 500 corporate clients.
In the Leadership Dialogue over Lunch, Fellows gathered for an interactive discussion examining the critical challenges and emerging opportunities defining the future of U.S.-Korea relations. Facilitated by Dr. Abraham Kim, President & CEO of The Korea Society, and Ambassador (Ret.) Philip Goldberg, former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (2022–2025), the luncheon explored how leaders can leverage cross-sector knowledge sharing and strategic collaboration to navigate these pivotal issues.
In the session titled, Harnessing and Managing Artificial Intelligence, Fellows gained practical tools to understand and leverage agentic artificial intelligence, inform management practices, and strengthen executive-level decision-making across tactical, strategic, and future-facing perspectives. The session was led by Dr. Ilan Lobel, a multi-award-winning Professor of Technology, Operations and Statistics at New York University’s Stern School of Business, Director of Stern’s Technology and Entrepreneurship MBA Program, and a frequent AI consultant for Fortune 100 executives.
We are grateful to our speakers, Fellows, and The Kim Koo Foundation for making this inaugural seminar a success. We look forward to cultivating a lasting coalition of visionary leaders. If you are interested in participating in a future cohort, please email policy@koreasociety.org. Preference is given to Korea Society corporate and individual members.
A group of policy professionals from academia, industry, finance, civil society, and the United Nations gathered in New York City for The Northeast Asia Situation Report, a salon-style discussion focused on the complex intersection of PRC-U.S.-Taiwan, U.S.-ROK-PRC, and Japan–ROK relations.
The session was co-hosted by The Korea Society’s Jonathan Corrado and Chelsie Alexandre, Temple University Japan’s Robert Dujarric, and Park Strategies’ Sean King.
The discussion analyzed how regional actors are navigating an increasingly fraught geopolitical competition, forecast trends and trajectories, and generated consensus around near-future challenges and opportunities.
