John S. Park
Director, Korea Project
North Korea nuclear program
request interview
Nuclear Issues--North Korea nuclear program (33)
International Security & Defense--Weapons of Mass Destruction (15)
Nuclear Issues--Nuclear weapons (13)
Nuclear Issues--Nuclear proliferation (12)
International Relations--U.S. foreign policy (10)
Nuclear Issues--Nuclear security (9)
Conflict & Conflict Resolution--Rogue/Repressive States (8)
International Security & Defense--Negotiation (8)
International Security & Defense--China & security (6)
International Relations--Sanctions (5)
Conflict & Conflict Resolution--Illicit Trafficking (4)
International Relations--Trade (4)
Conflict & Conflict Resolution--Governance (2)
Economics & Global Affairs--China's Economy (2)
Economics & Global Affairs--Trade (2)
Energy--International cooperation (2)
Energy--Nuclear power (2)
International Security & Defense--Military policy (2)
International Security & Defense--Security Strategy (2)
Nuclear Issues--Iran nuclear program (2)
Conflict & Conflict Resolution--Intrastate conflict (1)
Conflict & Conflict Resolution--Weak/Failed states (1)
Economics & Global Affairs--Economic Policy (1)
Economics & Global Affairs--Emerging Markets Development (1)
Energy--Energy Innovation policy (1)
Energy--U.S. energy policy (1)
Environment & Climate Change--Climate change policy (1)
Governance--Public Health (1)
International Relations--Diplomacy (1)
International Relations--Economic policy (1)
International Relations--Globalization (1)
International Relations--United Nations (1)
International Security & Defense--Chemical & biological weapons (1)
International Security & Defense--Democracy (1)
International Security & Defense--Preventive defense (1)
International Security & Defense--Terrorism & Counterterrorism (1)
Nuclear Issues--China nuclear issues (1)
Nuclear Issues--Nuclear terrorism (1)
Nuclear Issues--Nuclear waste (1)
Nuclear Issues--U.S. nuclear issues (1)
Nuclear Security Matters--Treaties and International Agreements (1)
Science & Technology--Globalization (1)
Science & Technology--Science & Technology Policy (1)
Analysis & Opinions (17)
Policy Briefs & Testimonies (6)
Reports & Papers (4)
Conflict & Conflict Resolution (13)
Economics & Global Affairs (5)
International Relations (17)
International Security & Defense (28)
Nuclear Issues (42)
Asia & the Pacific (40)
Broadcast Appearance (2)
Science, Technology, and Public Policy (29)
Cyber Project (1)
Future of Diplomacy Project (1)
Korea Project (6)
Managing the Atom (34)
Newsletter Article - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center Newsletter
Korea Project Conference Focuses on Complex Security Dynamics in Northeast Asia
| Fall 2022
Read more about Korea Project Conference Focuses on Complex Security Dynamics in Northeast Asia
A Belfer Center conference with the Seoul-based East Asia Institute (EAI) focused on U.S. priorities concerning the region's security concerns amid other pressing global security challenges. Participants discussed impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war on the region and how to bolster U.S.-ROK cooperation on regional nuclear nonproliferation governance in light of the growing nuclear arsenals in China and North Korea.
Harvard University Press
Book Chapter - Harvard University Press
Where Do Divergent US and Chinese Approaches to Dealing with North Korea Lead?
Read more about Where Do Divergent US and Chinese Approaches to Dealing with North Korea Lead?
For the United States, the dominant approach has been economic coercion. Despite applying stringent sanctions, the United States has been ineffective in convincing North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal in return for a brighter economic and diplomatic future. The myriad U.S. sanctions have also failed to halt major progress in North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. However, these setbacks have not caused the United States to change its strategy of economic coercion. On the contrary, the United States has considerably increased its use of this economic statecraft tool. In contrast, China has deepened its economic engagement with the North Korean regime since the late 2000s. Through the relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and its counterpart the Workers' Party of Korea, China has cultivated and monetized political ties. Doing so has provided a powerful mechanism through which the Kim family regime—leaders of North Korea's ruling and prosperous 1 percent—has shored up stability and thrived.
Roman Harak via Wikimedia Commons
Magazine Article - Harvard Kennedy School
Easing U.S. Sanctions on North Korea Could Benefit Both Sides, HKS Korea Expert Tells Lawmakers
Read more about Easing U.S. Sanctions on North Korea Could Benefit Both Sides, HKS Korea Expert Tells Lawmakers
Appearing at a hearing May 12 before the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, Park discussed U.S policy towards North Korea and described the challenges of using sanctions as a deterrent for North Korea's nuclear saber rattling. Specifically, Park pointed to China's deepening economic engagement with North Korea as one reason why western sanctions have largely failed to change Pyongyang's behavior. "By free-riding off of China's financial and domestic marketplace systems, North Korea can conduct vital commercial transactions beyond the reach of American sanctions," Park said.
Report - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Micro Deterrence Signaling
Vincent K. Brooks
| Apr. 04, 2022
Read more about Micro Deterrence Signaling
The Korean Missile Crisis of 2017 presented General Brooks with a unique opportunity to rethink deterrence and develop a dynamic playbook to change Kim Jong Un's calculus. The result he called "micro deterrence signaling."
AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon
Implications of the 2020 Presidential Election on North Korea Policy
Read more about Implications of the 2020 Presidential Election on North Korea Policy
In the lead up to the 2020 presidential election, the Belfer Center's Korea Project co-sponsored an event on October 6 with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Boston to explore the impact of the election outcome on North Korea policy. A group of diverse policy analysts drew on their collective experience serving in various administrations and conducting cutting-edge research on North Korea for a lively panel discussion.
Analysis & Opinions - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
John Park on the Key Player in North Korea's Leadership Succession
Read more about John Park on the Key Player in North Korea's Leadership Succession
Uncertainty of Kim Jong-un's health has many wondering what the future holds for North Korea.
John Park: The Unintended Consequences of North Korea's Self-Quarantine
| Mar. 19, 2020
Read more about John Park: The Unintended Consequences of North Korea's Self-Quarantine
Video - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Hanoi Summit: The Start of Real Negotiations?
William H. Tobey
Reid Pauly
Read more about Hanoi Summit: The Start of Real Negotiations?
In the aftermath of the Hanoi Summit, the Belfer Center convened aHarvard Korea Working Group Speaker Series event to assess summit outcomes.
Michael Kuhlmann/Munich Security Conference
Photo - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Belfer Center Event Photos: February 15–28
Douglas Lute
Laura Manley
David Eaves
Jason Furman
Monica Duffy Toft
Read more about Belfer Center Event Photos: February 15–28
Photos from the Belfer Center: February 15-28
(AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
U.S. -North Korea Summitry – Lowering the Bar for a Win-Win?
| Feb. 25, 2019
Read more about U.S. -North Korea Summitry – Lowering the Bar for a Win-Win?
John Park, Director of the Belfer Center's Korea Project, previews what he believes will take place during the 2nd U.S.-North Korea Summit on February 27-28 in Hanoi. Compared to the 'fire and fury' war threats of 2017, he says, the recent exchange of letters between President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un have laid the groundwork for a sequel to the Singapore Summit in June 2018.