Engage Korea, a student-driven conference series that seeks to “re-frame engagement with the DPRK,” has since 2013 hosted annual events and online curricula related to humanitarian and educational involvement with the DPRK.

Seeking to “cultivate a global network of students, junior scholars, and practitioners who are well-informed about the DPRK, thereby creating a sustained effort for peace-building on the Korean Peninsula,” the conference series is, however, notable for not inviting official North or South Korean participation, avoiding topics directly related to human rights, while conducting proceedings in a strictly off-record setting.

If such important topic is left off the table, key stakeholders are