October 5: A Revolutionary State: North Korea’s Support of Non-State Actors

Thursday, October 5, 2017

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

KEI Conference Facility

1800 K St NW | Suite 300

A Revolutionary State: North Korea’s

Support of Non-State Actors

During the Cold War, North Korea fomented revolutionary fervor by training and providing military equipment to communist guerillas and anti-colonial liberation movements. After the collapse of the Communist Bloc, North Korea turned its attention to assisting Islamist militants, such as Hezbollah and Hamas. This commitment to assisting non-state actors opened spaces for the Kim family regime to sell weapons, earn hard currency, and undermine the United States. However, Kim Jong-un has largely shifted away from Pyongyang’s traditional support for non-state actors, suggesting his policymaking decisions are guided by principles different from those of his father and grandfather.

KEI invites you to join us for a discussion on the history of North Korea’s relations with non-state actors, how Kim Jong-un’s approach diverges from past practices, and what this means for addressing proliferation concerns.