In a recent Senate Subcommittee Hearing, expert Jenny Town emphasized the critical importance of diplomacy, citing the evolving dynamics between Moscow and Pyongyang. Senior Fellow and 38 North Program Director Jenny Town called to testify before the Senate Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy. The recent summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin serves as a significant reminder of the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape on the Korean Peninsula. Speaking at a Senate Subcommittee Hearing on the Security on the Korean Peninsula on October 6, Jenny Town, Senior Fellow and 38 North Program Director, emphasized the importance of reinvigorating diplomacy, stating, "The way Russia-North Korea relations have evolved in recent years illustrates the importance of finding ways to rebuild diplomacy with North Korea." Town underscored that the bonding between Moscow and Pyongyang in her testimony, especially after Russia's annexation of Ukraine, was not unexpected. Kim's consistent support for Putin's campaign in Ukraine, which promised both political and tactical backing, was indicative of the strengthening alliance. Reflecting on past missed opportunities, Town highlighted the Hanoi Summit of 2019, which offered a promising avenue for denuclearization discussions. However, the inability to reach a consensus then led to a shift in North Korea's diplomacy focus, leaning towards states with perceived easier cooperation benefits. A significant shift in Pyongyang's nuclear stance is evident in Kim's recent pronouncements. He has solidified the country's position on its nuclear weapons, making them seemingly non-negotiable. Town observed, "The biggest obstacle to resuming negotiations about denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is that Pyongyang’s attitudes toward its nuclear weapons program have fundamentally changed." North Korea's increasing alignment with China and Russia from 2021 onward, coupled with its unwavering support for Russian territories, underscores the depth of its ties with Moscow. This growing alliance has implications for the global stage, especially with Russia's more open collaboration in various sectors with North Korea. To address the shifting dynamics, Town proposed several recommendations, emphasizing the need to "recognize acts of goodwill and reciprocate" and to "determine short-term goals beyond denuclearization." Furthermore, she advocated for a recalibration of joint military exercises and better messaging around extended deterrence. In closing, Town stressed the urgency of the situation: "Rebuilding diplomacy with North Korea is equally important to reducing the risks of nuclear conflict—whether intentional or accidental—and to curbing endless arms racing in this vital and dynamic region."