Chairman Yoho on the hearing: “We must remain clear-eyed about recent developments on the Korean Peninsula. Since the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Kim Jong Un has mounted a charm offensive, leading to proposed summits with President Moon Jae In and President Donald Trump. Kim also undertook a surprise visit to Beijing, underscoring China’s continued influence over the Kim regime. While I hope that these talks will lead to the denuclearization of North Korea, and I support the Administration in this process, North Korea has a long history of promises made and promises broken. The United States and the United Nations must not ease the maximum pressure campaign in exchange for empty promises. Considering the difficulty of the task ahead, the Subcommittee will discuss the realistic expectations of any negotiations, ensuring that North Korea does not once again use talks as a cover for continued sanctions evasion and weapons development.”

Opening Statements

Witnesses

Sung-Yoon Lee, Ph.D.
Kim Koo-Korea Foundation Professor in Korean Studies and Assistant Professor
The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Tufts University
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Victor Cha, Ph.D.
Senior Adviser and Korea Chair
Center for Strategic and International Studies
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

The Honorable Christopher R. Hill
(Former Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State; Former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea)
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

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Hearing transcript (PDF)