KEI Contributor

Zachary Barter is a Desk Officer in the DPRK Unit within the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. In this role, he coordinates U.S. policy on DPRK human rights, humanitarian, and consular issues. Prior to beginning his assignment in Washington, Zach spent four years as a Political Officer in Astana, Kazakhstan, covering security issues and Kazakhstan's foreign relations. He previously served as a Staff Assistant to the U.S. Ambassador to China, a Visa Officer in Beijing, and Deputy Director of the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Section in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. He speaks Chinese and Russian. Zach is originally from Denver, Colorado and holds degrees in political science and international relations from Brown and Harvard.