EVENT RECAP: 2025 Next-Generation Korean Peninsula Specialists In-Person Conference
February 2026
In February, the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) welcomed its fourth cohort of Next-Generation Korean Peninsula Specialists in New York City for an in-person conference. Over three days, the cohort refined their policy papers on Korean Peninsula security and gained practical insight into how policy ideas move from draft to public debate.
The program opened with peer review sessions, where Emerging Leaders presented draft papers and strengthened their analysis through candid feedback.
Daniel Kurtz-Phelan, Editor of Foreign Affairs, joined the cohort to discuss pitching policy work and contributing to public debate. The day wrapped up with a podcast and media workshop led by Ankit Panda of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he shared his expertise on public communication and interview preparation.
The second day featured in-depth roundtables across New York City. At the Asia Society Policy Institute, Daniel Russel welcomed the cohort for a dialogue on regional security dynamics on the Korean Peninsula. The group also met with Nick Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, to examine editorial decision-making and how policy specialists can translate their work for broader audiences.
The program continued at The Korea Society, where the fellows engaged in a discussion with Keith Luse, Executive Director of the National Committee on North Korea, on U.S.-Korea policy engagement. The second day of the convening concluded with a public event co-hosted with The Korea Society and Columbia University’s APEC Study Center, “Prospects for Relations with North Korea.”
The in-person conference concluded with a Track II discussion and a roundtable with Sonja Bachmann of the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs on international diplomacy and peacebuilding.
By bringing together emerging specialists and experienced leaders in the field, the program supports the development of the next generation of policy professionals working on issues related to the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia.
We are grateful to the distinguished speakers and participants for their thoughtful engagement and contributions.
Thank you to the Korea Foundation for their support of our program.
Emerging Leaders Roundtable Discussion with Susan Elliott, Susan Thornton, and Emily Sparkman
Emerging Leaders at the Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel
Public Event Co-Hosted with The Korea Society and the APEC Study Center
Emerging Leaders at the Asia Society Policy Institute with Daniel Russel, Susan Elliott, Susan Thornton, Emily Sparkman, Nia Williams, and Ashley Quinonez