Join us for a discussion on North Korea's domestic and foreign policy trends and how they tie in with the latest developments of nuclear weapons and missiles on and around the Korean Peninsula. The discussion features Open Nuclear Network (ONN) Senior Analyst Rachel Minyoung Lee and Analysts Jaewoo Shin and Tianran Xu, and Lauren Sukin, Assistant Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science, in conversation with Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado. Utilizing open source intelligence and satellite photos, as well as findings from academic inquiry, the experts unpack how new and developing weapons impact the security environment in Northeast Asia.
This program is produced in partnership with Columbia University’s APEC Study Center.
Korean Peninsula Nuclear Update
Hybrid Program
Tuesday, October 25, 2022 | 12 PM (EDT)
The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017
About the Speakers:
Rachel Minyoung Lee |
Rachel Minyoung Lee is the Regional Issues Manager and Senior Analyst for Open Nuclear Network (ONN), a programme of One Earth Future. Rachel oversees the creation and development of ONN’s strategic network and works closely with the analytical team to identify strategies and products that can best meet the needs of partners and consumers. Rachel was a North Korea open source collection expert and analyst with the US government from 2000 to 2019. She researched and wrote on the full range of North Korean issues, from leadership, domestic politics and economy, and foreign policy to social and cultural developments, during some of the most momentous years in North Korea that included the transition of power from Kim Jong Il to Kim Jong Un. As Analysis Team Lead, Rachel managed the entire collection-to-analysis cycle, leading a team of analysts in the collection, curating and baselining of data and the analysis of North and South Korean issues with implications for Pyongyang’s regime stability and regional security. She formulated and oversaw the execution of short- to long-term collection and analysis strategies, and devised and delivered various training programs on collection, data tool utilization, and writing. Rachel is also a Nonresident Fellow with the Stimson Center's 38 North Program, where she is conducting research on North Korea's economic policy-making. Rachel grew up in San Jose, California. She earned her B.A. in English literature and her M.A. in international law, both at Korea University in Seoul. |
Jaewoo Shin |
Jaewoo Shin is an Analyst for Open Nuclear Network (ONN), a programme of One Earth Future, where he focuses on developments on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, with particular attention to nuclear risk reduction and regional nuclear and missile programmes. Jaewoo uses open source data analytics and remote sensing techniques to understand relevant trends. Prior to joining ONN, he completed a graduate fellowship at the Nuclear Nonproliferation Education and Research Center at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon, South Korea. He also worked for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Korea Chair in Washington, DC, and for the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the German Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin, Germany. Jaewoo received his BA in International Affairs from the University of St. Gallen, his MA in International Security from Sciences Po Paris and his MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is also in the process of completing a Masters in Nuclear Safeguards from Politecnico di Milano. He speaks English, German, Korean and some French. |
Lauren Sukin |
Lauren Sukin is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She holds a Ph.D. from the Department of Political Science at Stanford University. Her research focuses on issues of international security, with particular interests in the role of nuclear weapons in international politics, security dynamics on the Korean Peninsula, cybersecurity and the ethics of emerging technology in warfare, and public opinion towards the use of force. |
Tianran Xu |
Tianran Xu is an Analyst for Open Nuclear Network (ONN), a programme of One Earth Future. He is an expert on open source analysis and military technology. Mr. Xu focuses on North East Asian security and offensive and defensive missile systems. Tianran uses photo mensuration to measure the size, range and capacity of missiles. He also analyzes photos, videos and satellite imagery to understand nuclear and missile programmes. With a background in media and journalism, Tianran is a regular contributor to Chinese and English open source and science publications. Prior to joining ONN, he worked as a journalist, editor and news assistant at both Chinese and foreign news organizations for 10 years in Beijing. He graduated from Xi'an International Studies University, China. Tianran is fluent in Chinese, English and German. |