Is Pyongyang Viewed Differently in Washington and Seoul? Comparing English and Korean Language Discourse on North Korea

The community of scholars, analysts, government officers, NGO advocates, and journalists who commit a portion of their lives following events in North Korea – known within its ranks as “North Korea watchers” – has expanded alongside the public’s increased attention on Pyongyang’ weapons program. As the renewed urgency pushes these individuals to offer solutions, a number of predictable divisions have become apparent within the community along ideological and institutional lines. More surprisingly, there are signs of a less apparent, yet just as important break along language lines.

Please join KEI for a presentation by Jeffrey Robertson on how the policy discourse on North Korea differs in English and in Korean, what this could indicate about a shared Washington-Seoul approach towards Pyongyang and recommendations for strengthening the alliance.