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.
