When asked about the upcoming summits with North Korea in a televised interview, Korea Society President Thomas Byrne said, "People in senior levels of the US government view this as an opening for an opportunity." Speaking to FOX 5 News The Hill, President Byrne explained that, "They don't want to repeat the mistakes of the past, which include misreading North Korean intentions and providing benefits before anything is received from North Korea tangibly." He added, "Everyone has become a bit more more realistic about dealing with the North Koreans, but I think that South Koreans are hopeful. They do wish to end the division of the country.