Media Contributions

Quoted in the Financial Times regarding the timing of North Korea's next nuclear test, once the tunnels and device are ready (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said that "if the Kim regime wants to be provocative, it could test soon after South Korea's new president takes office [on May 10] and before President Biden's trip to Asia later in the month. But in order to avoid offending Pyongyang's benefactors in Beijing, the next test will likely avoid dates close to China's five-yearly Communist party Congress later in the year."

Quoted in the Korea Times regarding DPRK nuclear doctrine (link):

"Kim said that he could order the use of nuclear weapons to protect the 'fundamental interests' of North Korea. This sounds like an elastic term that Pyongyang can adjust the meaning of according to the situation, similar to how it blames the diplomatic deadlock on the 'hostile policies' of other countries," said Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University. "Such an ambiguous and potentially escalatory nuclear doctrine should not only worry Seoul, Tokyo and Washington but Beijing as well."

Quoted in the Independent regarding Pyongyang parading weapons largely for domestic political reasons (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said North Korea's threats could drive the US closer with its allies Japan and South Korea. "During this military display, representatives of president-elect Yoon were in Japan for policy consultations and representatives of the Biden administration were in South Korea to coordinate an early summit," he noted. "The Kim regime is probably trying to increase national pride and domestic legitimacy with propaganda about state, party and military accomplishments on different occasions," he added.

Quoted in the Japan Times regarding the geopolitical context of the DPRK raising tensions in East Asia (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said that while Pyongyang typically seeks to drive wedges between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo, Kim's latest moves could end up having the opposite effect. "North Korea's threats, on top of Russia and China's challenges to the international order, may inadvertently drive U.S. allies closer together," he said.

Quoted in Deutsche Welle regarding North Korea's domestic politics of maintaining regime legitimacy (link):

"While preparations are underway for a military parade in Pyongyang on April 25 to mark the army's anniversary, Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, says that "Kim is also attempting to build national pride and legitimacy [with propaganda about] a society that is not only united, but also modern and happy."

Quoted in the Japan Times regarding Pyongyang's military competition with Seoul (link):

"More than marking North Korean holidays, challenging South Korea's incoming president, or taking advantage of the war in Ukraine, the reason the Kim regime further develops missiles and nuclear weapons is to win what it perceives as an arms race on the Korean Peninsula," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "South Korea's military is backed by a much larger and technologically sophisticated economy, as well as a superpower ally."

Quoted in the Singapore Straits Times via AFP regarding North Korea's 'Day of the Sun' celebrations (link):

"It was a calculated decision to highlight new apartments and citizens with smartphones taking pictures of flowers, said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "The Kim regime needs more sources of national pride and legitimacy than military parades," he said. "So the public commemorations around its founder's birthday tried to portray an economy that is not only resilient but growing."

Quoted in Al Jazeera regarding North Korea not showcasing nuclear- capable missiles on its April 15 holiday (link):

"Pyongyang implementing the threat to end its long-range missile test moratorium means we are now in a higher-stakes provocation cycle," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "North Korea is signaling that it will pursue its proclaimed self-defense with less self-restraint. The Kim regime will likely try to blackmail its neighbors with even more destabilizing actions. South Korea's missile tests in immediate response demonstrate its military readiness and defense capability. Those should help deter a North Korean attack but won't prevent further provocations by Pyongyang. The incoming Yoon administration is inheriting an arms race on the Korean Peninsula."

Quoted in the New York Times regarding North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (link):

"Pyongyang implementing the threat to end its long-range missile test moratorium means we are now in a higher-stakes provocation cycle," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "North Korea is signaling that it will pursue its proclaimed self-defense with less self-restraint. The Kim regime will likely try to blackmail its neighbors with even more destabilizing actions. South Korea's missile tests in immediate response demonstrate its military readiness and defense capability. Those should help deter a North Korean attack but won't prevent further provocations by Pyongyang. The incoming Yoon administration is inheriting an arms race on the Korean Peninsula."

Quoted in the Singapore Straits Times regarding the domestic dimension of North Korea's missile tests (link):

Associate professor of international studies Leif-Eric Easley at Ewha Womans University said Pyongyang attaches "political legitimacy to developing missiles." He noted that North Korea had kept mum about a failed missile launch last week, but "likely wanted a major success before upcoming political anniversaries in April."

Quoted by Channel News Asia via AFP regarding North Korea breaking its long-range missile test moratorium (link):

With its ICBM launch this week, North Korea has abandoned "self-restraint on missile tests," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "The Kim regime now expects Washington to accept the intolerable or pay Pyongyang to reimpose a long-range testing freeze."

Quoted in the Japan Times regarding how missile tests are largely about improving military capabilities but Pyongyang also has other motivations (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said that while a failed missile test would usually be followed by a monthslong scientific study so engineers could incorporate lessons before the next test, the Kim regime also has a domestic political agenda and desire to demonstrate strength internationally. "So North Korea will likely conduct another test, although not necessarily with the same missile, ahead of its political anniversaries in April and the inauguration of South Korea's next president in May," he said.

Quoted in Nikkei regarding how South Korea and Japan's sanctions enforcement against Russia can send a signal to Pyongyang (link):

"The more that Seoul and Tokyo do to hold Moscow accountable, the more North Korea will be deterred from nuclear adventurism," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University.

Quoted in the Diplomat regarding why North Korea broadcasts details of some tests despite concealing many of its military capabilities (link):

North Korea's "recent reports on tests of reconnaissance satellite components practically advertise a forthcoming long-range missile firing as a space launch," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "The Kim regime may be betting that it can easily get away with such violations of U.N. sanctions, and by doing so publicly, normalize its military activities as just another country keeping up with the neighbors in order to defend itself."

Quoted in the Japan Times regarding the external rhetoric of the Kim regime (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said, "when the Kim regime faces international criticism for violating U.N. Security Council resolutions, it will likely complain about 'double standards' and threaten to further erode its nuclear and long-range missile test moratorium."

Quoted in the Japan Times regarding the Kim regime's pattern of weapons development (link):  

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said the launch was in line with Kim's earlier announcements that the regime would continue to refine its weapons.

Quoted by CNN regarding the international message behind Pyongyang's provocations (link):

"By threatening to destabilize Asia while global resources are stretched thin elsewhere, Pyongyang is demanding the world pay it to act like a 'responsible nuclear power,'" said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea. "For better and for worse, Biden is showing no fire and no fury."

Quoted by Yonhap regarding the domestic politics of North Korean demonstrations of military strength (link):

"Pyongyang also wants to boost national pride as it gears up to celebrate political anniversaries in the context of economic struggles," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University.

Quoted by CNN regarding North Korea's sixth missile test of January 2022 (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said "certain North Korean tests aim to develop new capabilities, especially for evading missile defenses. Other launches are intended to demonstrate the readiness and versatility of missile forces that North Korea has already deployed."

Quoted in Al Jazeera regarding China and Russia obstructing even minor strengthening of sanctions on North Korea (link):

"That Pyongyang has violated resolutions the Security Council unanimously approved is not just a matter of American opinion or South Korean intelligence," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "North Korean state media has repeatedly provided details and photos of unlawful missile launches and issued threats of future nuclear and long-range missile tests. Beijing and Moscow are allowing Pyongyang to flout international law, essentially welcoming further provocations."

Quoted in the Japan Times regarding North Korea's lack of interest in denuclearization talks (link):

For the moment, Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said that Pyongyang appears too concerned about the risks of COVID-19 to engage in negotiations with the U.S. "But when they do come looking for concessions, the fundamental obstacle for denuclearization talks remains that the Kim regime is unwilling to denuclearize," Easley said.

Quoted in the Chosun Ilbo regarding North Korea's rush to test missiles before the Beijing Olympics (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said "Pyongyang should be relatively restrained in terms of provocations during the Olympics. So to the extent the North Koreans have missiles to test for improving military capabilities and sending signals before South Korea's presidential election on March 9, they should probably do that before Feb. 4."

Quoted in the Wall Street Journal regarding North Korea launching missiles from the vicinity of Pyongyang airport (link):

North Korean expert Leif-Eric Easley said, "considering its strategic relationship with China, the North Korean leadership is likely getting its early 2022 military exercises and missile tests out of the way before the Beijing Olympics. The timing also suggests that North Korea does not wish to stay quiet ahead of South Korea's presidential election or appear on life support as China sends aid over the border."

Quoted by the BBC regarding North Korea's window for testing missiles (link):

North Korean expert Leif-Eric Easley said, "considering its strategic relationship with China, the North Korean leadership is likely getting its early 2022 military exercises and missile tests out of the way before the Beijing Olympics. The timing also suggests that North Korea does not wish to stay quiet ahead of South Korea's presidential election or appear on life support as China sends aid over the border."

Quoted in the Korea Herald regarding the political aims of North Korean missile tests, in addition to improving military capabilities (link):

"North Korea is suffering economically but its regime's ideology demands not showing weakness. Kim's external strategy is to get the world to accept Pyongyang as a nuclear power and pay it for abstaining from provocations," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "So this series of missile tests serves both domestic political and foreign policy purposes."

Quoted in the Independent regarding the Kim regime's foreign policy rhetoric (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said: "North Korea claims its missile tests are efforts at self-defence, are not destabilising, and should not be targeted by economic sanctions. But Pyongyang's rhetoric is dubious because it projects onto other countries what it is actually guilty of: threats to national sovereignty, challenges to regional stability, and violations of international law."

Quoted in Al Jazeera regarding North Korea's pattern of provocations (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said Pyongyang was following a familiar playbook. "North Korea should be offered humanitarian assistance once it is willing to diplomatically reengage. But its threats should not be rewarded with international recognition or sanctions relief."

Quoted in the Japan Times regarding coordinating policies on North Korea (link):

"Pyongyang has little room for escalation because of its internal challenges and its need for restraint during the Beijing Olympics given heavy reliance on China," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "So Washington and its allies should call the Kim regime's bluff by increasing U.S.-South Korea-Japan security cooperation and strengthening enforcement of U.N. Security Council resolutions."

Quoted by CNN regarding the politics of North Korea's claimed hypersonic weapon (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said "state media hyped the latest test, personally supervised by Kim Jong-un, as 'final verification' of a new military capability. This looks like classic North Korean box checking, claiming success of an agenda item from Kim's earlier speech in an attempt to bolster political legitimacy and increase diplomatic pressure."

Quoted by VOA regarding Kim Jong-un returning to field guidance of missile launches (link):

"After a long absence from attending missile tests, Kim supervising a launch elevates its political significance," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "North Korea has appeared to exaggerate its hypersonic technology for political reasons, including national pride and signaling a determination to defeat the missile defense systems of other countries."

Quoted in Al Jazeera regarding policy responses to North Korean provocations (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said [North Korea's continued tests are] "underlining the urgency of U.S.-South Korea- Japan cooperation on missile defense and the need for greater accountability in China and Russia's enforcement of UN sanctions."

Quoted in the Wall Street Journal regarding North Korea's first missile test of 2022 (link):

"Despite a very difficult economic situation, including food shortages under the country's self-imposed pandemic isolation, North Korea continues to develop its offensive military capabilities," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

Quoted in the New York Times regarding North Korea's lack of reforms at the 4th Plenary of the Workers' Party 8th Central Committee (link):

"Kim Jong-un was never going to be a reformer by Western standards," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "He prioritizes his family interests above national security, prosperity and the rule of law, to say nothing of human rights."

Quoted in the JoongAng Daily regarding an unauthorized crossing of the demilitarized zone from South to North Korea (link):

"The person who crossed the DMZ is more likely to be a re-defector than a spy, and is unlikely to be infected with the coronavirus," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "But their life is in peril because of North Korea's pandemic protocols."

Quoted in Deutsche Welle regarding Kim Jong-un facing the dictator's dilemma after Covid (link):

According to Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international studies at Seoul's Ewha Womans University, the Kim regime has managed to stay in power for so long by "demonizing the United States, belittling Seoul, and touting national self-reliance." "But Trump's meetings with Kim contradicted the American threat theory, South Korea is more successful than ever, and Pyongyang is increasingly dependent on China. What little prosperity the North Korean people have tasted correlated with international trade, and that allowed more information to get inside the country. After the pandemic abates, the dictator's dilemma of how to pursue economic growth while maintaining political control is likely to intensify for Kim."

Quoted in the Japan Times regarding Pyongyang marking one decade under Kim Jong-un (link):

"When Kim Jong Un came to power, his greatest threats were internal, but in 10 years he has managed to dramatically consolidate control," said Leif- Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "The North Korean economy, however, is far worse off because Kim underestimated international resolve to maintain sanctions as long as he refuses to denuclearize, and he overestimated domestic resources while enacting the world's harshest self-imposed pandemic isolation."

Quoted in the Diplomat regarding prospects for North Korean diplomacy after the U.S. Global Posture Review (link):

"The U.S. upgrading rotational deployments to permanently stationing an Apache helicopter unit and artillery brigade headquarters in South Korea signals to Pyongyang that Washington is committed to its ally's defense," Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said. "This [move] also reminds China that Seoul is supportive of a robust U.S. force posture in Asia that contributes to regional security and stability. The Biden and Moon administrations want to resume dialogue with Pyongyang and cooperate with Beijing on North Korea, but the Kim regime is unwilling to even engage regarding humanitarian assistance, much less denuclearization talks," Easley added.

Quoted in the Diplomat regarding North Korea's receptiveness to an end- of-war declaration (link):

"The Moon administration is drumming up international support for an end- of-war declaration to show diplomatic effort to Pyongyang," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "[The] Kim regime prioritizes sanctions relief over reconciliation with South Korea [and] recent North Korean reactions to Seoul's proposals range from unresponsiveness to spite," Easley said. He pointed to the unrealistic demands both Kim Yo Jong and Pyongyang's U.N. ambassador, Kim Song, have made: curtailing U.S.-South Korea defense cooperation and dismantlement of the United Nations Command that enforces the Korean War armistice.

Quoted in the Asia Times regarding how North Korean capabilities need to be studied rather than assumed (link):

"North Korea appears to have tested a new mini-SLBM, but its propaganda about military capabilities should not be taken at face value," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "Further analysis is needed to avoid underestimating or exaggerating Pyongyang's ability to launch missiles from a submarine, miniaturize warheads and accurately guide them to a target."

Quoted in Nikkei regarding North Korea's increasingly flagrant violations of UN Security Council Resolutions with ballistic missile tests (link):

"North Korea appears to have tested a new mini-SLBM, but its propaganda about military capabilities should not be taken at face value," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "Further analysis is needed to avoid underestimating or exaggerating Pyongyang's ability to launch missiles from a submarine, miniaturize warheads and accurately guide them to a target."

Quoted by ABC News regarding the timing of North Korea's SLBM test (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said that although the North Korean missile launch timing is largely driven by a technical schedule for when tests are ready and useful, there's also a political factor. "Pyongyang is celebrating the ruling party's founding and looking to boost national morale after harsh pandemic lockdowns. And the Kim regime likely wants to one-up South Korean missile tests, at least in Pyongyang's propaganda."

Quoted in the Japan Times regarding the Kim regime's motivation for demonstrating the capability of launching a missile from a submarine (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said "there's also an element of Pyongyang racing to keep up with Seoul as South Korea has recently tested an SLBM of its own and is planning an ambitious space launch this week," Easley noted.

Quoted in the New York Times regarding North Korean defiance of international law set by the United Nations Security Council (link):

"North Korea isn't interested in denuclearization talks to receive benefits for coming into compliance with U.N. resolutions," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "It seeks to rewrite the rules and be compensated for restraint as a nuclear power."

Quoted in the Independent regarding Pyongyang's strategy behind weapons development (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha University in Seoul, suggests that North Korea's weapons are not merely for survival or a bargaining chip, they are for blackmailing and driving a wedge between Washington and Seoul. "The Kim regime doesn't want a peace declaration, it wants South Korean capitulation. Paying Pyongyang to talk would reinforce its strategy. It needs to face greater costs in the form of sanctions enforcement and regional missile defence cooperation to be convinced of the need to negotiate."

Quoted in Deutsche Welle regarding why German unification does not offer a model for North and South Korea (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international relations at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, [said that for the two Koreas,] unification remains "a long-term prospect." "While Pyongyang refuses to engage on the many inter-Korean projects that Seoul proposes, [Unification Minister] Lee can seek support and advice from international partners," he said. "One of the lessons from the German experience is that historical change can come quickly and unexpectedly, so advance coordination and preparation are essential. But Europeans know that German unification cannot provide a model. Compared to East Germany, North Korea has been isolated for a longer duration, is more threatening with nuclear weapons and missiles, suffers greater economic mismanagement and commits worse human rights violations." Moreover, he added, the influence of the rising power of China is "a more complicating factor than Russia was for Germany. At the end of the Cold War, Moscow could be paid to respect German preferences. Beijing is more powerful today and determined to exercise its interests over the Korean Peninsula."

Quoted by CNN regarding the threat involved in North Korea claiming to have tested a hypersonic missile (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said Pyongyang's hypersonic missile may not need to be as accurate as those potentially deployed by other nations. "If Pyongyang manages to fit a nuclear warhead on even a rudimentary hypersonic, it would be a dangerous weapon because it wouldn't have to be extremely accurate to threaten the nearby metropolis of Seoul," he said.

Quoted in the Singapore Straits Times regarding motivations behind North Korea's recent tests (link):

Associate professor of international studies Leif-Eric Easley at Ewha Womans University said North Korea was "focusing on capabilities for defeating missile defences while waging a techno-nationalist arms race with South Korea. "However, Pyongyang might be willing to take the low- cost and easily reversible step of restarting regular communications with Seoul," he added.

Quoted in the Diplomat regarding North Korean efforts to manipulate the South (link):

"Kim Yo Jong may be laying a trap by offering dialogue conditioned on Seoul not criticizing what she portrays as Pyongyang's righteous self- defense measures," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. North Korea might conduct a provocative military test around October 10, the 76th anniversary of the Workers' Party. Easley pointed out that the North's possible missile test or military activities next month could pose a dilemma for the South. "If Seoul remains silent, that could somewhat normalize the Kim regime's nuclear and missile development and cause friction in the alliance with the United States. On the other hand, if Seoul criticizes North Korea's next provocation, Pyongyang would again cut communications and blame the South for strained inter-Korean relations," Easley said.

Quoted in the Guardian regarding North Korea's further nuclearization while its neighbors impose few costs (link):

"Despite the arms buildup on both sides of the peninsula, the South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, hopes to make a diplomatic breakthrough with North Korea during his final months in office," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "The Biden administration wants to avoid escalation while maintaining the goal of denuclearisation. Japan is about to change prime ministers. And China talks up regional stability while blame-shifting toward Washington and Seoul. As a result, the Kim regime likely believes it can get away with pushing the nuclear envelope."

Quoted in the New York Times regarding the danger of under-reacting to North Korea (link):

"Rather than strengthen sanctions and military exercises, the allies have emphasized a willingness for dialogue and humanitarian cooperation," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "The problem with less than robust responses to North Korea's tests is that deterrence can be eroded while Pyongyang advances its capabilities and normalizes its provocations."

Quoted in the South China Morning Post regarding options for responding to North Korea's provocations (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul who specialises in security and international relations, said that in spite of the limited room for international cooperation, the US and its allies South Korea and Japan could still work together to exert greater pressure on Pyongyang. "South Korea can bury the hatchet with Japan and increase intelligence-sharing and missile defence cooperation," Easley said. "The Biden administration can restore military exercises with allies in Asia that had been scaled back during the pandemic. Even if China and Russia block action at the UN Security Council, the US and like-minded countries can improve sanctions enforcement and designate new violators, including Chinese firms," he said.

Quoted in the Financial Times regarding North Korea calibrating its military provocations (link):

"While the Kim regime wants to pressure the United States for sanctions relief, it doesn't want to isolate China and Russia because those governments currently stand in the way of strengthening sanctions," said Leif-Eric Easley from Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

Quoted by CNN regarding Pyongyang's lack of interest in diplomacy (link):

"Some analysts suggested the parade was restrained to allow room for negotiations since it did not feature nuclear-capable weapons or policy pronouncements by Kim Jong Un," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "But North Korea's subsequent missile tests contradict international hopes for dialogue."

Quoted in the Independent regarding why North Korea's cruise missiles demand attention (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said that cruise missiles might not be able to travel as far or as fast as ballistic missiles, but they are manoeuvrable and fly lower to the ground, making them more difficult to detect and intercept. "The Biden administration has so far taken a measured approach to North Korea, emphasising denuclearisation but also an open door to diplomacy. North Korea's growing capabilities may call for a tougher approach, including strengthening sanctions and missile defences."