The Asia-Pacific Leadership Network (APLN) hosted a virtual conference on mobilising international, political, and financial support for an effective Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR Plus) initiative for the DPRK. Sponsored by the ROK Ministry of Unification, the conference built on APLN’s CTR Plus research activities in 2021.

Over the past couple of months, the DPRK has tested nine ballistic missiles, including an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), and most recently two suspected intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). With further provocations expected, it is critical that the United States and the other parties to the Korean conflict are fully prepared to engage comprehensively with the DPRK to avoid escalation and to realise the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

The first session of the conference, “Applying CTR Plus to the DPRK – An Overview,” was public and streamed live. The second and third sessions was private and closed-door.

Date: March 17, 8am KST / March 16, 7pm EST 

Moderator: Professor Chung-in Moon, APLN Vice-Chair

Opening Remarks: Dr. Marty Natalegawa, APLN Chair

Speakers:  

• Minister In-young Lee, Ministry of Unification
• Ms. Shata Shetty, APLN Executive Director 
• Senator Sam Nunn, NTI Co-Founder and Co-Chair

Livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1AaYwmn1mk