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.
![The Vietnamese venue will shape the second Trump-Kim summit](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/trump%20in%20hanoi%203.jpg?itok=o0ZMjsF9)
The Vietnamese venue will shape the second Trump-Kim summit
Trump and Kim Jong-un will meet in Vietnam, a backdrop with history for the US and promise for North Korea.
![North Korea’s “selective détente”](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/39238698050_a24b9aa931_o.jpg?itok=RXeSx6rH)
North Korea’s “selective détente”
North Korea is seeking to decouple South Korea and the US by widening the gap on their North Korea policies.
![North Korea’s emerging blackmail strategy](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/27845980873_46fed6c117_k.jpg?itok=6Eq4DjVI)
North Korea’s emerging blackmail strategy
A deadlock in negotiation between the US and South Korea leaves Pyongyang to make all the gains.
![Is the second Trump-Kim summit necessary?](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/GettyImages-883518520%20copy.jpg?itok=Arrs_4lR)
Is the second Trump-Kim summit necessary?
The more attention the world pays Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal, the less incentive it has to actually surrender weapons.
![The third Moon-Kim summit: uncertainties abound](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/GettyImages-1035143546-min.jpg?itok=gAIrJkWQ)
The third Moon-Kim summit: uncertainties abound
Moon Jae-in is attempting to mediate between Washington and Pyongyang, while his personal approval plummets at home.
![The discord in the Korean peace process](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/GettyImages-952155886-min.jpg?itok=zMdZEIq5)
The discord in the Korean peace process
Dealing with North Korea has never been easy, but the US and South Korea have differing priorities in the negotiations.
![Pyongyang’s promises](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/15035662573-mini.jpg?itok=0jHmVBdH)
Pyongyang’s promises
Despite the much-trumpeted summit, Kim Jong-un does not seem to be honouring his end of the deal.
![Trump–Kim summit: Moon’s conflicted achievement](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/Khang%20Vu%20Moon%20WEB%20%281%29.jpg?itok=Hfq-_MYr)
Trump–Kim summit: Moon’s conflicted achievement
The South Korean President’s shuttle diplomacy may fracture his relationship with the US.
![The prospect of North Korea’s economic reform](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/Sock%20factory%20NK%20web-min%20%281%29.jpg?itok=9uOTkwB6)
The prospect of North Korea’s economic reform
Declarations of reform mean decentralisation, and may not be sincere.