Khang Vu
Biography
Publications
Khang X. Vu is a doctoral candidate in the Political Science Department at Boston College, where he focuses on East Asian politics and nuclear weapons. Khang earned his master’s degree from Dartmouth College in 2019.
![Forget Washington, Pyongyang’s most important target has always been Beijing](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2023-07/Kim%20and%20Xi%20comp.jpg?itok=x7ZYRYjn)
Forget Washington, Pyongyang’s most important target has always been Beijing
Kim Jong-un’s charm offensive with Donald Trump may have yielded few results. Not so his efforts with Xi Jinping.
![China’s double wedge against efforts to foster Vietnam-US relations](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2023-06/GettyImages-1210980800.jpg?itok=wbjvBggI)
China’s double wedge against efforts to foster Vietnam-US relations
Just as Beijing seeks to coerce Hanoi in the South China Sea, it warns about Washington’s intentions closer to home.
![North Korea/South Korea: Who’s threatening who?](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2023-05/GettyImages-1143102137.jpg?itok=uKMuCssv)
North Korea/South Korea: Who’s threatening who?
The prospect of using nuclear weapons to coerce behaviour has limits.
![My decade watching the Korean peninsula: the delicacy of peace](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2023-05/GettyImages-1128330624.jpg?itok=5PWT-lTv)
My decade watching the Korean peninsula: the delicacy of peace
Lessons from starting out a career analysing one of the most dangerous flashpoints in global politics.
![North Korea: The state versus the people](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2023-03/GettyImages-1246878745.jpg?itok=DntO_nU7)
North Korea: The state versus the people
If the regime is sincere about alleviating the latest food crisis, why ban market sales of foodstuffs?
![Why North Korea is denying its involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2023-02/North%20Korean%20rally%20comp.jpg?itok=cks5ND0T)
Why North Korea is denying its involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine
Pyongyang appears to be a reluctant participant in Putin’s brutal offensive in Eastern Europe.
![The Korean Peninsula: Why 2023 will not be like 2017](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2023-01/GettyImages-1246030408.jpg?itok=coO3nhHD)
The Korean Peninsula: Why 2023 will not be like 2017
“Fire and fury” had more to do with the temperament of the White House, while Pyongyang provokes with purpose.
![All in the family: North Korea’s means of nuclear survivability](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2022-12/KCNA-icbm-Kim-daughter.jpg?itok=Sgf46KLJ)
All in the family: North Korea’s means of nuclear survivability
Kim Jong-un’s daughter reveal might be about keeping a trusted finger on the nuclear button more than succession plans.
![North Korea: unpredictably predictable](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2022-11/Anti-aircraft%20missiles%20comp.jpg?itok=fP57G5gZ)
North Korea: unpredictably predictable
The rationale behind Pyongyang’s provocative missile launches may not be as menacing as it appears.