China, might not have been mentioned in the North-South summit talks, but one can bet its influence on Kim’s decision to make the trip south was paramount.

The April 27 summit was full of symbolism, imagery, and rhetoric. That should not be brushed aside to look for “real” progress. Symbolism is important in itself.

While there are reasons to be hopeful about the outcome of the summit, investing now in the resumption of Inter-Korean construction projects is premature even in the best case scenario.

The world's attention will be on the Korean peninsula this week as President Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un meet televised at the DMZ.

In what is being hailed as a significant step by the United States and South Korea, North Korea has announced that it has suspended missile tests and will shut down its nuclear test site. While seemingly an important step towards denuclearization, the move by North Korea only affirms prior statements by the regime.

There is another surge in interest for Korean pop music, particularly in the United States, ushering in the era of Hallyu 3.0.