event

Weighing Bad Options: Past Diplomacy With North Korea and Alliance Options Today

Mon. September 18th, 2017
Washington, DC

The Trump administration and its allies are trying to apply maximum pressure on North Korea so that it will accept diplomatic talks predicated on its eventual denuclearization. It has been over a decade since such active hard and soft diplomatic measures have been applied to this policy challenge, even as regional circumstances have changed dramatically. 

Two veteran diplomats deeply involved with the last set of intense negotiations with North Korea discussed their experiences and considered options in light of today’s dynamics, and were joined by both U.S. and Japanese experts. Carnegie’s Jim Schoff moderated.

This event was cosponsored by the U.S.-Japan Research Institute. 

Christopher Hill

Christopher Hill is dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at The University of Denver. A four-time ambassador, he served as assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs from 2005 until 2009, during which he headed the U.S. delegation to the Six-Party Talks on the North Korean nuclear issue.

Mitoji Yabunaka

Mitoji Yabunaka is a professor at both Ritsumeikan University and Osaka University. His fourty-year diplomatic career culminated as vice-minister for foreign affairs, following time as the director-general of the Asian and Oceanic Affairs Bureau, and serving as the chief Japanese representative the Six-Party Talks.

Keiji Nakatsuji

Keiji Nakatsuji is a professor of international relations at Ritsumeikan University, where his research focuses heavily on East Asia. He was dean of Ritsumeikan’s Graduate School of International Relations from 2014 to 2016.

Douglas H. Paal

Douglas H. Paal is vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He previously served as vice chairman of JPMorgan Chase International and as unofficial U.S. representative to Taiwan as director of the American Institute in Taiwan.

James L. Schoff

James L. Schoff is a senior fellow in the Carnegie Asia Program. His research focuses on U.S.-Japan relations and regional engagement, Japanese politics and security, and the private sector’s role in Japanese policymaking.

SecurityMilitaryForeign PolicyNuclear PolicyNorth AmericaUnited StatesEast AsiaSouth KoreaChinaJapanNorth Korea
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
event speakers

Christopher Hill

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Asia Program

Ambassador Christopher Robert Hill is currently an adjunct professor at Columbia SIPA. He is a former career diplomat, a four-time ambassador, nominated by three presidents, whose last post was as ambassador to Iraq.

Mitoji Yabunaka

Mitoji Yabunaka is a professor at both Ritsumeikan University and Osaka University. His 40-year diplomatic career culminated as Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, following time as Director-General of the Asian and Oceanic Affairs Bureau, and serving as the chief Japanese representative the Six-Party Talks.

Keiji Nakatsuji

Keiji Nakatsuji is a professor of international relations at Ritsumeikan University, where his research focuses heavily on East Asia. He was dean of Ritsumeikan’s Graduate School of International Relations from 2014 to 2016.

Douglas H. Paal

Distinguished Fellow, Asia Program

Paal previously served as vice chairman of JPMorgan Chase International and as unofficial U.S. representative to Taiwan as director of the American Institute in Taiwan.

James L. Schoff

Senior Fellow, Asia Program

James L. Schoff was a senior fellow in the Carnegie Asia Program. His research focuses on U.S.-Japan relations and regional engagement, Japanese technology innovation, and regional trade and security dynamics.