Media Contributions

Quoted in Nikkei regarding U.S. military exercises with allies in Northeast Asia (link):

"The Biden administration sent an aircraft carrier to conduct drills near the Korean Peninsula to reassure Seoul and Tokyo and show that Russia's invasion of Ukraine will not distract the United States from security in the Indo-Pacific," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University. "South Korean and American forces are resuming combined defense exercises important for readiness and deterrence but that Pyongyang falsely accuses as rehearsals for an attack."

Quoted in the Japan Times regarding sanctions enforcement despite deadlock at the United Nations (link):

"The effectiveness of existing sanctions is waning due to lax enforcement by some countries," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "Given China and Russia's lack of cooperation on the U.N. Security Council, the U.S. and its allies will likely need to sanction more entities in those countries and elsewhere that are aiding North Korea's weapons programs."

Quoted in Al Jazeera regarding the U.S. and South Korea responding to North Korea by taking a page from how the Biden administration made sensitive intelligence public to keep Russia off balance on Ukraine (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said it seemed that Washington and Seoul were taking a more aggressive approach to make information about the North's tests public. "These disclosures aim to counter Pyongyang's disinformation campaigns that claim its missile tests in violation of UN Security Council Resolutions are merely efforts at self- defense," Easley said. "While the sharing of intelligence may not deter further provocations, it could increase international unity for holding the Kim regime accountable with economic sanctions. Addressing North Korean security threats will require more than leveraging intelligence and calling for a return to diplomacy; the U.S. and its allies need to expand military exercises and missile defense cooperation."

Quoted in the Washington Post via AP regarding the U.S. staying engaged in Asia despite the war in Ukraine (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said the Biden administration needs to show that it maintains a strategic focus on the Indo-Pacific region, including by responding sternly to Pyongyang's provocations.

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 South China Morning Post regarding how the governments of South Korea, Japan and the United States are on the same page about taking a measured diplomatic approach toward North Korea, but for different reasons (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, an international relations professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said "in his final months in office, President Moon wants to burnish the legacy of his 'peace first' policy. Japan prefers a tougher line on Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programmes, but is currently in the midst of a leadership transition. The Biden administration favours dialogue for denuclearisation but has a long list of other priorities." Easley said effective [trilateral] cooperation would need to be based "on strategic coordination rather than a coincidence of political interests."

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 Korea Herald regarding the value of U.S.-ROK-Japan coordination beyond North Korean missiles and contingencies (link):

"Trilateral cooperation is also essential for the defense of a rules-based order in Asia, in light of long-term challenges posed by China," said Leif- Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University. "While Pyongyang rejects diplomacy and Beijing remains uncooperative, Washington, Seoul and Tokyo can work together to incentivize humanitarian engagement and deter military escalation."

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."

Quoted in the Japan Times regarding North Korea's next move toward the United States (link):

"Pyongyang may fire off a test to start a new provocation cycle in search of greater incentives," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "But the Kim regime should know by now that Washington is not going to provide sanctions relief without progress on denuclearization."

Quoted in the Diplomat regarding the lack of talks between Washington and Pyongyang (link):

"The primary reasons dialogue has been stalled are that the Kim regime is not interested in denuclearization and has been paranoid about any contact that could be a vector for coronavirus into the country," Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said. "If North Korean domestic politics reduced reliance on narratives of external threat, relations could be transformed via staged denuclearization and economic cooperation."

Quoted in the Diplomat regarding specious comparisons between the U.S. commitments to Afghanistan and South Korea (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said that the situations in South Korea and Afghanistan are not comparable. "In addition to shared interests for U.S.- South Korea security cooperation regarding North Korea, Washington won't pull its troops off the peninsula anytime soon because that would be perceived as geopolitically ceding Asia to China."

Quoted in the New York Times regarding North Korea rebuffing U.S. diplomatic overtures (link):

Kim Yo-jong's statement on Tuesday indicated that "North Korea is not ready to resume negotiations," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. North Korea has a history of seeking incentives before returning to the negotiating table. Analysts in Seoul have suggested the country might use the next joint military exercise between Seoul and Washington, scheduled for August, as a pretext to delay dialogue. North Korea has long called the drills a "hostile" act. "The Biden administration is offering dialogue without preconditions, but Kim Yo-jong intends to place the burden for restarting talks on Washington," Mr. Easley said.

Quoted in the Singapore Straits Times regarding the U.S. and South Korea's different approaches to North Korea (link):

Ewha Womans University's Associate Professor Leif-Eric Easley, who teaches international studies, said "Moon may be willing to meet Kim at the summit level, but Biden won't repeat Trump's made-for-TV approach. Instead, Biden will require that Pyongyang engage at the working level to hammer out specifics for at least an interim denuclearisation deal in exchange for sanctions relief."

Quoted in the Diplomat regarding Pyongyang's response to Washington and Seoul's calls for dialogue (link):

"Kim Yo Jong rejected notions that her brother had expressed a willingness for talks anytime soon, essentially pushing back against U.S. efforts to put the diplomatic ball in Pyongyang's court," Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said. Easley added that her statement poured cold water on hopes for re-engagement as North Korea appears determined to maintain its self-imposed isolation out of fear of COVID-19. "The Kim regime also wants to see larger incentives from Washington before returning to negotiations. In the meantime, it is attempting to sow discord in South Korean domestic politics over Seoul's upcoming defense exercises with the United States."

Quoted by the BBC regarding U.S. policy toward North Korea (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, summarised Mr Biden's approach as one that coordinates North Korea policy decisions with allies, while conducting "step-by-step diplomatic engagement." "The administration has not offered a detailed roadmap because it wants flexibility to engage Pyongyang when and where progress can be made," he said. "Meanwhile, Washington will strengthen deterrence by coordinating strategies, military training, and missile defences with allies."

Quoted by Radio New Zealand via the BBC regarding Kim Jong-un's mention of possible dialogue with the United States (link):

"The Biden administration has said the ball is in North Korea's court, but the Kim regime has been serving up some strategic patience of its own," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "It remains focused on domestic issues and wants to see much larger incentives from Washington."

Quoted in the Japan Times regarding the possibility of Washington restarting talks with North Korea (link):

"The U.S. won't pay Pyongyang to return to negotiations but is willing to offer humanitarian assistance," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

Quoted in the Singapore Straits Times regarding results of the Biden-Moon summit (link):

Washington has been pressing Seoul to adopt a tougher stance against Beijing but Seoul has been hesitant to do so, fearing a repeat of the economic retaliation by China in 2017 after the deployment of a US-made anti-missile defense system on South Korean soil. That would explain the lack of mention of China by name, which Associate Professor Leif-Eric Easley, who teaches international studies at Ewha Womans University, said was due to the Moon administration's "concerns about Beijing's economic coercion and relations with North Korea." Still, the Biden-Moon summit "publicly reduced the gap between their approaches to North Korea," said Prof Easley. "At Seoul's urging, the US expressed support for previous agreements that have Kim Jong-un's signature on them - the Panmunjom inter-Korea declaration and the Trump-Kim Singapore statement - and also announced a special envoy to diplomatically engage Pyongyang. At Washington's request, the Biden-Moon joint statement called for the promotion of human rights in North Korea."

Quoted in the Washington Post regarding the Biden administration's North Korea policy review (link):

"North Korea wants the U.S. to lift sanctions and recognize it as a nuclear power. The Biden policy review is charting a different course," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "The U.S. goal of 'complete denuclearization' means not accepting North Korea as a nuclear weapons state and that sanctions relief will be conditioned on progress toward denuclearization."

Quoted by VOA regarding the ball being in Pyongyang's court (link):

While the Biden administration is signaling "step-by-step diplomatic engagement," much depends on how North Korea responds in the coming months, says Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

Quoted in the Asia Times regarding U.S. policy objectives in dealing with North Korea (link):

"Strengthening deterrence is clearly a priority," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "The US has hosted a trilateral meeting with South Korea and Japan's national security advisers as well as a discussion among the top generals of the three countries."

Quoted in the Singapore Straits Times regarding U.S.-Korea relations during Biden's first 100 days (link):

"Early high-level meetings and cost-sharing agreements have strengthened US alliances in Asia, and despite public concerns that Washington and Tokyo are more on the same page, the US will not choose Japan over South Korea," said Leif-Eric Easley, Associate Professor of International Studies from Ewha Womans University.

Quoted in the Washington Post regarding North Korea's first ballistic missile test during the Biden administration (link):

"Kim Jong Un is determined to deal with the new U.S. administration from a position of strength. With China's economic support, North Korea isn't just going to accept whatever benefits the Biden policy review offers," said Leif- Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "Pyongyang's provocations are aimed at negotiating more for less, such as sanctions relief for a testing freeze far short of denuclearization."

Quoted in the Washington Post regarding North Korea's first public threat toward the Biden administration on occasion of U.S. military exercises with Seoul (link):

North Korea complained about ongoing U.S.-South Korea military exercises and warned the Biden administration that if it wanted peace for the next four years, it should refrain from "causing a stink." Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said Kim Yo Jong's statement "reeks of hypocrisy" coming after North Korea had conducted its own winter military drills. [...However,] "the Kim regime's rhetoric leaves more room for diplomacy than if it had welcomed Blinken and Austin with a long-range missile test," said Easley.

Quoted in the Singapore Straits Times regarding North Korean demands that the U.S. end its 'hostile policy' (link):

North Korea complained about ongoing U.S.-South Korea military exercises and warned the Biden administration that if it wanted peace for the next four years, it should refrain from "causing a stink." Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said Kim Yo Jong's statement "reeks of hypocrisy" coming after North Korea had conducted its own winter military drills. [...However,] "the Kim regime's rhetoric leaves more room for diplomacy than if it had welcomed Blinken and Austin with a long-range missile test," said Easley.

Quoted by VOA regarding North Korea's non-response to the Biden administration's efforts at initial contact (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, says Pyongyang could be ignoring these overtures for any number of reasons, including prioritizing domestic economic issues or out of fear of holding talks during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Pyongyang may be waiting to see what incentives are on offer after the Biden policy review. Or North Korea might be planning its next weapons test to improve its capabilities and raise the stakes for negotiations."

Quoted in Deutsche Welle regarding the roles of the Quad and South Korea in dealing with China (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said that the Quad is critical to South Korea because it "will be a pillar of the Biden administration's foreign policy." "The Quad is not an anti-China alliance, it's a coalition of like-minded countries addressing common challenges and committed to a rules-based order," he said. "The Quad summit will spur cooperation on the pandemic, climate change and technology supply chain security. Beijing will not be a target unless it violates norms, including freedom of navigation, peaceful resolution of disputes, trade commitments and human rights," the expert added, issues that are all in Seoul's national interests. "Demonstrating that it is a contributing stakeholder in a free and open Indo-Pacific will give Seoul greater diplomatic leverage for dealing with North Korea," he said.

Quoted in the Korea Times regarding Washington and Seoul's application of sanctions on Iran and North Korea (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul said Secretary Blinken's principled approach on the frozen Iranian funds was good news for Korean national interests. "It allows Seoul to resist extortion even while making every reasonable effort to cooperate with Tehran. This also sends a signal to North Korea that international sanctions will be strictly enforced but can be relaxed upon compliance with denuclearization agreements."

Quoted in the Korea Herald regarding coordinating policies on North Korean human rights (link):

"Washington and Seoul should avoid clashing over North Korean human rights," said Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "The US and South Korea can speak with one voice regarding humanitarian engagement to benefit the North Korean people, while making clear that peace and transformation of diplomatic relations will require both denuclearization and adherence to the rule of law."

Quoted in the Korea Times regarding the Biden administration developing its policy toward North Korea (link):

"Blinken mentions both imposing costs and offering benefits, because his goal is to alter North Korea's incentive structure in favor of progress toward denuclearization," Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said. "Biden's policy review will consider what worked and what didn't during the Trump administration and the Obama years. Strategic patience and showy summits are likely to be replaced by more coordination with allies on deterrence, sanctions enforcement, and humanitarian and diplomatic engagement," Easley added.

Quoted in the Korea Times regarding U.S.-South Korea-Japan trilateral cooperation (link):

"Strategists in Seoul tend to worry that trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan could provoke Pyongyang to cancel exchanges, create costly distance with China or elicit domestic political backlash," said Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University. "But currently there is no inter-Korean cooperation to lose, Beijing is diplomatically isolated because of human rights and the pandemic, and most South Koreans believe relations with Tokyo should be improved. The new Biden administration offers an opportunity for closer trilateral coordination that would give Seoul leverage against North Korean provocations and Chinese economic coercion, make alliance cost-sharing negotiations easier and provide political cover to smooth over historical and trade disputes with Japan."

Quoted in the Korea Herald regarding the Biden administration's approach toward North Korea (link):

"The US will try to build leverage for negotiating with North Korea by enforcing sanctions and holding China accountable to UN resolutions," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, adding the Biden administration will look to maintain deterrence against Pyongyang with combined defense exercises with Seoul. "South Korea can take the opportunity of Biden's 'alliances first' approach to shore up Seoul's relations with both Washington and Tokyo and have early input into the new administration's policies," said Easley. "It can seek sanctions exemptions for rebuilding the Mount Kumgang resort for humanitarian and environmental exchanges and suggest North Korea and climate change as areas for US-China cooperation."

Quoted in the Korea Times regarding the inauguration of President Biden and implications for relations with South Korea (link):

"Biden's priority of repairing U.S. alliances presents opportunities and challenges for Seoul. Gone are the days when Koreans will hear about changes in American policy by tweet. But higher expectations for consultation and coordination will be a two-way street," Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said. "Maintaining deterrence with defense exercises and implementing sanctions on North Korea will be higher on the agenda than creative diplomacy with Pyongyang. A tighter alliance network will involve stronger encouragement that South Korea and Japan improve relations. The Biden administration may be more reasonable about trade issues and defense cost-sharing, but negotiations still won't be easy. A closer alliance will also mean increasing contributions to Indo-Pacific security and defending democratic values without fear of offending Beijing."

Quoted in the Korea Herald regarding the expected interaction of presidents Joe Biden and Moon Jae-in (link):

"Biden and Moon can be expected to have professional, even warm exchanges," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "Close coordination between their policy teams will be even more important." However, friction may come from the different timelines of the leaders in Washington and Seoul, noted Easley. "Moon is approaching his last year in office and may not be as interested in aligning long-term strategies on China. [Whereas] Biden will not be in a hurry to cut deals with North Korea."

Quoted in Nikkei regarding Asia policy and related appointments of the incoming Biden administration (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said "Trump's blunt approaches on China and trade put South Korea in an uncomfortable position between its security ally and largest trading partner. [Furthermore,] Trump didn't concern himself much with Korea-Japan relations. Blinken and Campbell certainly will in order to strengthen the U.S. network of alliances," said Easley. And whereas the Pivot is generally seen as a good strategy that fell flat on implementation, a return of Obama's "strategic patience" toward North Korea would not be welcome. "The Moon administration overemphasizes the importance of Trump's meetings with Kim Jong Un," Easley said. "Biden will need to manage those perceptions by credibly keeping the door open for engaging Pyongyang, even while maintaining sanctions and deterrence."

Quoted in the New York Times regarding implications of Washington- Beijing rivalry for dealing with North Korea (link):

"U.S.-China relations have deteriorated to the detriment of U.N. sanctions enforcement," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "So as the Biden administration comes to office, Kim continues to seek rather than offer external concessions."

Quoted in the Wall Street Journal regarding Kim Jong-un's remarks about the United States during the 8th Party Congress (link):

"Rather than demonstrating any commitment to denuclearization, Pyongyang expects to be rewarded for abstaining from provocations," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "Kim is essentially saying the ball is in the incoming Biden administration's court."

Quoted in the Financial Times regarding the interaction of U.S. and North Korean domestic politics (link):

Mr. Kim has not joined other autocracies in gloating at the US over the violence that broke out in Washington this week. But the 37-year-old dictator might later raise Washington's political tumult to justify distrust of nuclear negotiations with the US or to support China on global governance questions, said Leif-Eric Easley, a North Korea expert at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

Quoted by Yonhap regarding North Korea's policy toward the next U.S. administration (link):

"It would be constructive for negotiations if North Korea abstains from welcoming the Biden administration with a military provocation," Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said.

Quoted in the Korea Times regarding proponents of the anti-leafleting legislation accusing the U.S. of meddling in Korean affairs (link):

"The U.S. and South Korea are among the closest of allies in the entire history of nations. When a friend offers criticism, [such as when Koreans fault Americans for not wearing masks during the pandemic], it is wise to listen, assess the situation and take a good look in the mirror," Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said. "Groups accusing the U.S. of interference over the anti-leafleting legislation are generating fake controversy and distraction. The issue is not about responding to criticism from Washington but about Seoul more carefully considering human rights in North Korea and civil liberties in South Korea according to the Constitution, rule of law and national values."

Quoted in the Daily Beast regarding Trump's possible North Korea diplomacy after leaving the White House (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, professor at Ewha University in Seoul, believes a meeting between Trump and Kim "would be great television," but that's about it. "There is a non-zero chance Kim would like to trial-balloon a deal with Trump the way his grandfather did with former president Carter in 1994," he said, but "the odds of Kim's interest go up if he sees little benefit in working-level talks with the Biden administration or in re-engaging South Korean President Moon Jae-in."

Quoted in the Korea Herald regarding why a change in the top U.S. general in Korea is unlikely to change the OPCON transfer process (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said [unless provided updated guidance by the new president, secretary of defense, or chairman of the joint chiefs,] "the new USFK/UNC commander will take over the same missions as Gen. Abrams and pursue operational control transfer according to the conditions-based approach agreed to by the US and Republic of Korea rather than according to a political timeline."

Quoted in the Japan Times regarding North Korea's low-key approach to the results of the U.S. presidential election (link):

"This is not out of respect for President Trump but because Pyongyang has serious economic and social challenges to address" ahead of a key ruling party congress scheduled for January, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

Quoted in the Korea Herald regarding alliance cost-sharing negotiations between Washington and Seoul after Biden comes to office (link):

"The Biden administration will take positions on alliance issues based on security interests rather than political expediency. This suggests a smoother cost-sharing negotiation and no major drawdown of U.S. forces in Korea," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

Quoted in the Singapore Straits Times regarding U.S.-South Korea relations under a Biden administration (link):

Ewha Womans University's international studies expert, Associate Professor Leif-Eric Easley, said that the new president will likely demand a "more modest increase in military cost sharing from Seoul" and seek to address trade disputes multilaterally, which "would be good news" for South Korean businesses. "But the Biden administration will for some time be occupied with overcoming the coronavirus pandemic, so will also be sensitive to international burden sharing," he said.

Quoted in the Korea Herald regarding the views of Biden's foreign policy advisers on North Korea (link):

With the new Biden national security team yet to take shape, experts said the advisers understand the importance of sanctions enforcement to engage Pyongyang in talks. "These advisers believe Trump squandered the reputational weight of the presidency by meeting Kim Jong-un before securing concrete steps toward denuclearization or improvements in human rights," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. Easley was referring to past statements from Tony Blinken and Jake Sullivan, who have both been linked to the post of national security adviser for Biden. Easley noted that because of China -- an unwilling US rival hesitant to help pressure the North -- Biden could try something else. "Rather than lead with pressure, a Biden administration may be willing to support humanitarian cooperation with North Korea and restart working-level talks on denuclearization that could lead to sanctions exemptions for inter-Korean economic projects," Easley said.

Quoted in the Korea Times regarding Seoul and Washington's support of South Korean trade minister Yoo Myung-hee to lead the World Trade Organization (link):

"Depending on the result of the U.S. presidential election, Seoul and Washington may feel pressure to take a consensus-building approach, but should still work together on reforming the WTO," said Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

Quoted in the Singapore Straits Times regarding the next U.S. administration's foreign policy in Asia (link):

Ewha Womans University's associate professor of international studies Leif- Eric Easley said Mr Trump's "mismanagement of alliances, trade and Covid-19 reduced confidence in the US across Asia. There is thus much for the next administration to correct."

Quoted in the Korea Herald regarding speculation about a last-minute U.S.-DPRK deal because both Trump and Kim left benefits on the negotiating table and could use an international win to help with domestic politics (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said that a major diplomatic overture with North Korea is unlikely before the election, as the risks outweigh expected benefits for both sides. "From North Korea's perspective, there is no improvement in how Washington values what Pyongyang has proposed to exchange for sanctions relief, so it will try to coerce a better payoff after the election," he said. "From Trump's perspective, he already has a useful 'October surprise' in the form of a Supreme Court nomination battle, and his reelection campaign argues the foreign policy victory box is checked by the UAE and Bahrain's diplomatic normalization with Israel."

Quoted in the Korea Times regarding operational control of military forces under the U.S.-South Korea alliance (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University, said "because of the pandemic's disruption to training schedules, evolving threats posed by North Korea, and the need to update roles and institutions within the alliance, wartime OPCON transfer during the current administration may be overly ambitious. Such a decision is ultimately political, but should be based on specified conditions and meeting functional criteria as much as possible."

Quoted in the Korea Times regarding whether the U.S. military footprint in Korea is a legacy of war and might be reduced (link):

"In light of the changing security environment, strategic flexibility of U.S. forces is very important, but so is coordination and interoperability with allies. Washington and Seoul have significantly modernized the U.S. military footprint in South Korea and continue to transform the alliance," Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University, said. "The problem is U.S. allies face increased burden-sharing pressure and are trying to wait out Trump. That tactic carries risks of reduced military readiness and the discussion of partial troop withdrawals. Seoul does not want to dramatically increase its cost-sharing, but it also doesn't want to find itself in Germany's situation. So making progress with the SMA should be a priority."

Quoted in the Asia Times regarding Seoul managing relations with an unconventional U.S. president (link):

"South Koreans recognize that Trump's verbal slights and unexpected tweets are not particular to their country," said Leif-Eric Easley, who teaches international relations at Seoul's Ewha Womans University, and who notes that Seoul has responded with "restraint" to Trump's provocations. [Moreover,] Moon's government "has actively encouraged Trump's unconventional diplomacy to engage North Korea," said Easley. scandal also risks tarnishing South Korea's national image, which has benefited from its relative success in taming the coronavirus pandemic. Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said a connection can be drawn between #MeToo cases and foreign policy. "Middle-power diplomacy is based on shared norms and values, so the credibility of Seoul's multilateralism depends on upholding international standards."

Quoted in the Korea Times regarding challenges of leadership for the U.S. and the two Koreas (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University, said, "Trump is focused on reelection in November and has to broaden his base to win electoral battlegrounds. Moon has two years left in office and cannot be reelected, so is looking to maintain enough legislative and public support to institutionalize reforms." [Kim has no plan to relinquish power but faces a small constituency of party, military and economic elites.] Easley added: "Despite these very different time horizons and domestic political coalitions, all three leaders are struggling to start a post-pandemic economic recovery and make foreign policy achievements. Each can score wins by changing tack: Trump by multilateralizing his China policy, Moon by improving relations with Japan, and Kim by accepting humanitarian assistance from South Korea."

Quoted in the Korea Times regarding prospects of a Trump-Kim summit before the U.S. presidential election (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University, said, "Although three Trump-Kim meetings so far have not produced denuclearization or sanctions relief, both sides continue to claim leader-to-leader relations as a source of accomplishment and leverage." He added, "Trump wants to keep at least the status quo ahead of the November election and is willing to meet Kim again if North Korea's economic stress brings it back to the negotiating table offering concrete steps toward denuclearization."

Quoted in the Korea Times regarding the importance of U.S.-ROK combined exercises (link):

"Exercises can be rescaled, rescheduled or repackaged for diplomatic purposes or for safety and logistical reasons, as during a global pandemic. But canceling exercises to appease Pyongyang would be unwise because there is little evidence of North Korean reciprocity," said Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University. Easley said those who undervalue the exercises undervalue the alliance or don't understand how militaries work. "U.S.-ROK combined defense exercises are essential for maintaining readiness, interoperability and deterrence." Easley also questioned the South's rush to take back wartime OPCON. It regained peacetime OPCON in 1994. "It doesn't make sense to rush OPCON transfer because the security risks of doing so would far outweigh the political and economic benefits," he said. "Some politicians focus on symbols of sovereignty, but the political importance of OPCON transfer pales in comparison to ensuring national security and successfully managing the pandemic-era economy."

Quoted in the Korea Times regarding policy coordination between Washington and Seoul (link):

"President Moon Jae-in is in the process of updating his foreign policy team. So Biegun's visit isn't about a breakthrough with North Korea, but rather alliance coordination with South Korea," said Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University. "Washington and Seoul want to be on the same page about upcoming defense exercises and how a bilateral working group can endorse more inter-Korean projects within the limits of international sanctions."

Quoted in the Asia Times regarding possible North Korean dealmaking before the U.S. presidential election (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said, "After pocketing immediate gains, Pyongyang could return to cheating on its denuclearization commitments during a Biden administration." If Trump is re-elected, it also has a playbook in place. "Kim would likely increase efforts to drive a wedge between Washington and Seoul by appealing to Trump's alliance cost-cutting preferences and Moon's enthusiasm for inter-Korean projects," Easley said.

Quoted in the Independent regarding U.S.-DPRK relations, two years after the first Trump-Kim summit (link):

"The problem with the Singapore summit was that it ended maximum pressure and green-lit North Korea-China relations, but did not secure a roadmap for denuclearisation," says Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. Hanoi served a purpose in "clarifying the positions" of both sides, says Easley, but the failure to secure expected sanctions relief led Kim to lash out at South Korea, denting inter-Korean relations. The breakdown in talks "left the North Koreans angry and the South Koreans disempowered from continuing engagement," he says, while the DMZ meeting "provided symbolic photos worthy of the history books – but failed to write the actual history." Two years on from Singapore, North Korea is still "nowhere near a strategic decision to denuclearise," says Easley, and the intervening period has served to show that "leader-led diplomacy is woefully insufficient."

Quoted in the Korea Herald regarding Trump's idea of pursuing a summit larger than the G7 (to include South Korea) but smaller than the G20 (to exclude China) (link):

"We should probably treat as tentative any diplomatic effort President Trump announces by tweet or in unprepared remarks," said Leif-Eric Easley, who teaches international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

Quoted in the Korea Times regarding prospects for U.S.-South Korea cooperation with North Korea during the coronavirus outbreak (link):

"The Kim regime is still likely to limit the level of cooperation with Seoul and Washington because Pyongyang's price for improving diplomatic relations is much higher than humanitarian aid alone," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

Quoted in Al Jazeera regarding the state of U.S.-North Korea diplomacy a year after Trump and Kim met in Vietnam (link):

"The problem with the Hanoi summit was that it failed to achieve sanctions relief, and hence did not empower South Korea to offer sufficient carrots to keep engagement going," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "Expecting no immediate benefits from diplomacy, North Korea returned to its cycle of stonewalling, threatening and provoking."

Quoted in the Korea Times regarding Trump leaving North Korea out of his State of the Union Address (link):

"In front of the very Congress that has been consumed with the impeachment debate, Trump claimed U.S. economic and military strength are unmatched in the world," Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Womans University, said. "He said his policies have allies contributing more and have put America's enemies on the run. But Trump made no mention of North Korea. This will leave observers in Asia asking about the future of U.S. policy on denuclearization." [However, if Washington and Seoul can conclude their defense cost-sharing negotiations, that would improve deterrence and then] "from a coordinated position of alliance strength, the U.S. and South Korea can explore angles to reengage North Korea, such as offering public health assistance and restarting separated family reunions," Easley said.

Quoted in Al Jazeera regarding how U.S.-Iran tensions can affect security diplomacy with North Korea (link):

"The US taking out a top Iranian leader may cause Pyongyang to rethink the scale of its next provocation," Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Seoul's Ewha University wrote in [an article published by] The Lowy Institute, an Australian think tank. [But] "Pyongyang may now point to Iran's case to justify resisting denuclearisation and enhancing its self-avowed strategic deterrent for regime survival."

Quoted in the Washington Post regarding how a U.S. drone strike against an Iranian commander can affect North Korea (link):

"One can imagine that rising tensions between Iran and the United States might discourage both escalation by North Korea and its denuclearization," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "Some analysts have argued that Kim has Trump's number and no longer fears 'mad man' style brinkmanship as during the 'fire and fury' days of 2017. But Trump taking out a top Iranian leader might cause Pyongyang to rethink the scale of its next provocation," he added. On the other hand, North Korea will probably see the assassination of Soleimani as an effort toward regime change in Iran. "So, the logic goes, Pyongyang must resist denuclearization and further enhance its self-avowed 'strategic deterrent' for regime survival," Easley said.

Quoted in the Singapore Straits Times regarding prospects for U.S.-North Korea relations (link):

It remains to be seen what "Christmas gift" North Korea will send the US, according to a cryptic warning issued by Pyongyang earlier this month. But international studies professor Leif-Eric Easley of Ewha Womans University said it is still possible to reach an interim deal if North Korea returns to working-level talks with the US.

Quoted in the Atlantic regarding the interaction of U.S.-China relations and the Trump administration's policy toward North Korea (link):

"U.S.-China relations deteriorated over trade, and North Korea won a premature end to maximum pressure" as the Chinese, by far North Korea's largest trading partner, eased up on sanctions enforcement, Leif-Eric Easley, an international-studies professor at Ewha Womans University, in Seoul, told me. "If Pyongyang ever intended to take any denuclearization steps at all, its willingness to do so went down and its price for cooperation went up after Singapore."

Quoted by UPI regarding the implications of Trump's impeachment for North Korea diplomacy (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a U.S. professor of international studies at Ewha University in Seoul, said that North Korea could be seeking "maximum benefits for minimal concessions" between Trump's impeachment and South Korea's April elections. "The Kim regime is miscalculating if it believes it can bully South Korea into appeasement and leverage Trump's re-election concerns for a one-sided deal," Easley said. The analyst added North Korea's threats of a "year-end deadline" does not mean a long-range missile will necessarily follow right away, or that the Trump administration will respond to the threats. "Washington is unlikely to fall for this and will instead maintain a firm and principled approach on denuclearization diplomacy," he said.

Quoted in VOA regarding U.S.-ROK Special Measures Agreement (SMA) negotiations (link):

"As North Korea's provocations are likely to increase in the next two months, the U.S. and South Korea would be well advised to quickly and diplomatically resolve their differences on defense cost-sharing to demonstrate the strength of their alliance," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

Quoted in VOA regarding the need for working-level talks on North Korea's denuclearization (link):

"North Korean officials have long complained about a so-called U.S. 'hostile policy' toward the DPRK. Now they are combining Kim's artificial year-end deadline for a new U.S. approach with a demand that the 'hostile policy' must be dropped before denuclearization talks can continue. This reflects North Korea's muddled strategy and lack of seriousness about denuclearization," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "Pyongyang should return to working-level talks and specify the exact policies it wants removed in exchange for denuclearization progress," Easley said.

Quoted in Nikkei regarding the danger of North Korean miscalculation (link):

"The Trump administration remains interested in diplomacy to maintain North Korea's nuclear and long-range missile testing moratorium and to seek progress on denuclearization," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "Trump may welcome an opportunity to engage in high-stakes diplomacy to draw a few news cycles away from domestic political challenges," Easley added. "Pyongyang likely intends to exploit this situation, but could easily miscalculate with a military provocation that elicits more sanctions rather than concessions."

Quoted by Yonhap regarding the risks North Korea is taking by raising pressure rather than returning to diplomacy (link):

"Combining the year-end deadline with a demand that Washington's 'hostile' policy must be dropped before denuclearization talks can continue reflects Pyongyang's muddled strategy and lack of seriousness about denuclearization, said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "If North Korea returns to a cycle of provocations, it risks redoubled military exercises by the U.S. and its allies, additional economic sanctions, and an international information campaign to delegitimize the Kim regime," the professor added.

Quoted in the Atlantic regarding North Korea's resistance to diplomacy (link):

The Kim regime "now considers summits without payment for cooperation as empty diplomacy that merely helps Trump raise domestic political support," Leif-Eric Easley, a Korea expert at Ewha Womans University, in Seoul, told me. It's ironically the mirror-image argument to what Trump's critics contended when he became the first American president to meet with North Korea's dictator: that it would grant Kim valuable legitimacy while leaving the United States with nothing of substance to show for it.

Quoted by Nikkei regarding Kim Jong-un's closing window of opportunity with presidents Moon and Trump (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University said, "It is time for Washington and Seoul to make clear to Pyongyang that if it rejects denuclearization negotiations, it will miss the opportunity for proportional benefits."

Quoted in the Atlantic regarding U.S.-North Korea talks in Sweden (link):

The setting was, relative to the atmosphere surrounding Trump's summits with Kim, dull by design—a location "meant to avoid symbolism and distraction so the teams can focus on the content of negotiations," Leif-Eric Easley, a Korea expert at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, explained as the proceedings got under way. [Afterwards, Easley said that] "rather than the breakdown of talks, what we are seeing resembles classic North Korean negotiating tactics: demand more concessions, minimize denuclearization commitments, and figure out how to cheat. Kim Myong Gil does not have authority to compromise on anything until approved by Kim Jong Un. He probably went to Stockholm with talking points and instructions to receive the updated U.S. position before walking out to buy time and apply pressure."

Quoted by Yonhap regarding the need for multilateral cooperation on sanctions enforcement (link):

Professor Leif-Eric Easley of Ewha Womans University in Seoul pointed out that a [unilateral sanctions suspension] move in exchange for a small deal would make a mockery of the international sanctions regime. "The United States would not offer to violate U.N. Security Council Resolutions for the benefit of a small deal with North Korea. Sanctions relief in exchange for progress on denuclearization will require international coordination," he said.

Quoted in the New York Times regarding North Korea's approach to diplomacy (link):

Officials and analysts in South Korea saw the North as resorting to its characteristic brinkmanship to gain leverage over Washington, rather than giving up dialogue completely. The country was seeking to "maximize benefits and minimize concessions," said Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

Quoted in the Singapore Straits Times regarding U.S.-South Korea coordination on a 'new method' of engaging North Korea (link):

Professor Leif-Eric Easley of Ewha Womans University said President Moon may "see an opening to advocate sanctions relief for North Korea that would allow inter-Korean economic cooperation to move forward. Moon considers such carrots for Pyongyang as a contribution Seoul can make to the denuclearisation process." But Prof Easley warned the US against switching from maximum pressure to maximum flexibility. "Sanctions enforcement, dogged diplomacy and alliance exercises remain essential," he said, adding: "The 'new method' is probably the old method divided up into smaller, reciprocal steps so North Korea can earn sanctions relief as it makes progress on denuclearisation."

Quoted by Yonhap on prospects for negotiations with North Korea after the 9th Trump-Moon summit (link):

"North Korea's lack of denuclearization and condescending behavior toward South Korea suggest it is interested in exchanges only when it can receive benefits for little or nothing," Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said. With U.S. diplomats and functional experts aware that denuclearization cannot be accomplished in one shot, it's reasonable to signal a step-by-step approach to restart working-level talks, he suggested. Easley said Washington should not adopt a "new method" if that meant switching from maximum pressure to maximum flexibility. "Trust building is not the product of unconditional engagement but commitment to diplomacy with accountability...It's not the job of Seoul or Washington to guarantee the security of the Kim regime," he said.

Quoted by Nikkei regarding alliance coordination on North Korea (link):

Moon will meet Trump in New York next week on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. Analysts say it will be a good opportunity to strengthen the alliance between Seoul and Washington. "It would be even better to include Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to demonstrate trilateral coordination after recent frictions between Seoul and Tokyo," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University. "Another summit with Kim Jong Un, especially a Trump visit to Pyongyang, would be premature without significant working-level progress on denuclearization," he said.

Quoted in the Financial Times regarding a planned Trump-Moon summit on the margins of the United Nations (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said that while it was positive that the US and South Korean leaders were meeting to "co-ordinate" policy on North Korea, it was unclear whether North Korean negotiators would be "empowered to trade specific denuclearisation steps for limited sanctions relief". "If the North Koreans just want to arrange another [Trump-Kim] summit, that would indicate Pyongyang is playing for time and unearned concessions."

Quoted in the Japan Times regarding policy implications of Trump removing John Bolton as national security adviser (link):

The removal was likely to stoke concern among officials in Tokyo, said Leif- Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "They will fear this increases the probability of a hollow deal between Trump and Kim before the (2020) U.S. (presidential) election." And while the change of one adviser is unlikely to dramatically alter the course of U.S. policy, Ewha University's Easley said concerns about coordination are "warranted" since Washington's relations with Seoul and Tokyo could come under strain over cost-sharing negotiations, and as Japan's historical disagreements with South Korea spill over into the trade and security cooperation spheres.

Quoted in the Japan Times about North Korea driving wedges in U.S. alliances (link):

"The alliance drills are much less provocative than North Korea's testing of missiles that Pyongyang boasts are indigenous but which are likely filled with sanctions-violating foreign technology," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "Breaking the alliance is exactly what Pyongyang wants, which is why it makes all this noise and tries to blame U.S.-South Korea drills for its lack of cooperation," he said. "Pyongyang looks to exploit Trump's preoccupation with alliance cost-sharing as well as South Korea's deteriorating relations with Japan," Easley added.

Quoted by NPR regarding the possibility of the U.S. deploying intermediate-range missiles in South Korea (link):

"Business leaders here fear a repeat of the economic retaliation that Beijing directed against South Korea for the deployment of the THAAD missile defense system," notes Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. Easley is referring to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense that the U.S. set up in South Korea in 2017. "Most of all," he adds, "the Moon administration is loath to be seen as teaming up with Washington and Tokyo either to balance China or to contain North Korea."

Quoted in VOA on the need for working-level talks with North Korea (link):

Even though most eyes will be on a possible Trump-Kim meeting, a key indicator of progress is whether North Korean counterparts meet with U.S. Special Representative Stephen Biegun, says Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "Progress on inter-Korean relations and denuclearization requires that the Kim regime agree to working-level talks to negotiate next steps," Easley says. Absent substantive talks, further summits with Kim "run the risk of appearing to accept North Korea as a nuclear state," he adds.

Quoted in the Wall Street Journal regarding Trump's offer to shake hands with Kim Jong-un at the inter-Korean border (link):

Mr. Trump's visit to the DMZ would likely focus on giving Mr. Kim a message to re-engage, security experts say. The message could be about the "economic benefits of Pyongyang's choosing peace and denuclearization rather than provocation and deception," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

Quoted in VOA regarding prospects for a third Trump-Kim summit (link):

Neither side has publicly softened their stance. And with working level talks stalled, it's not clear what another Trump-Kim summit could accomplish, says Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. "Absent working-level negotiations for a verifiable freeze in fissile material production, further summits with Kim run the risk of appearing to accept North Korea as a nuclear state and normalizing its sanctions violating behavior...The hypothesis that a 'top-down approach' can realize denuclearization has been tested," says Easley. "North Korea has more nuclear capabilities today than it did a year ago."

Quoted in the Daily Beast regarding the Trump-Kim exchange of letters before the G20 (link):

"Kim is determined to exploit U.S.-China rivalry to benefit his economy while Trump hopes to leverage his personal relationship with Kim toward North Korea's denuclearization," says Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha Woman's University here in Seoul. "That's why we see this movement before Trump visits Asia and meets Xi at the G20. The Trump-Moon summit immediately afterwards will allow the allies to project a coordinated policy for advancing both denuclearization and peace with North Korea."

Quoted in the Financial Times regarding North Korea diplomacy and U.S.- China relations (link):

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said Mr Xi's decision to visit Pyongyang this week could "indicate a breakdown in mutual restraint" between Washington and Beijing, ahead of the G20 summit in Japan this month. "It had appeared that Xi was waiting to move on North Korea, and the Trump administration was pulling punches on human rights and on sanctioning new Chinese entities, to allow space to negotiate a ceasefire in the trade war," Mr Easley said. "On the other hand, if Xi is able to leverage his visit to secure new denuclearisation commitments from Kim, the result could be a convenient diplomatic opening for Washington and Beijing as well as Seoul and Pyongyang."