The world has been given a wake-up call from Kim Jong Un that North Korea continues to remain a primary national security threat. Are the US and western nations placing insufficient focus on North Korea due to the strategic competition with China, tensions over Taiwan and South China Sea, Putin’s War in Ukraine, and the threats emanating from Iran.

With North Korea having steadily increased its nuclear and conventional security capabilities over the course of recent months, what balance between pressure and dialogue will incentivise North Korea to limit its provocations? Are there any other strategies?

Recently, Canada took clear first step on how it is going to engage in the Indo-Pacific. From the Indo-Pacific Strategy to the acquisition of a new generation of fighter jets, Canada is posturing itself to be at the decision-making table. This is a good first step, but the world can shift fast, and readiness is extremely difficult, especially in times of hostile North Korea firing missiles almost every other day.

Recently a group of authors produced a new strategy recommendation that is based on the realization that Kim Jong Un will not agree to denuclearization. It is a strategy that focuses on human rights and influence operations and provides a framework for dealing with north Korea as it really is rather than as some would wish it to be. It offers a new path forward because it is time for the U.S. and the ROK/U.S. alliance to execute a political warfare strategy that flips the conventional wisdom and seeks unification first and then denuclearization. It allows Kim the option to change or be changed from within due to his own failures in the eyes of the elite, the military, and the Korean people in the north.

This forum will explore how Canada should look to play at a more active and innovative role in the East Asia region through comprehensive engagement (on both political, security, human rights and economic issues) and work together with regional partners – including South Korea, the US, Japan and Australia – to promote the shared interests