Frank Aum

Frank Aum is a leading authority on North Korea, the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asian security.

Aum previously served in the US Department of Defense, where he advised four Secretaries of Defense on issues related to North Korea, South Korea and regional security. Over seven years in the Pentagon, he held several senior roles, including Senior Advisor on Korean Peninsula Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, and Special Counsel to the Army General Counsel. He also led working-level negotiations with the Republic of Korea on alliance matters and was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service.

Most recently, Frank Aum was Senior Expert on Northeast Asia at the United States Institute of Peace, where he focused on diplomatic approaches to reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and strengthening regional stability. His work examined some of the most difficult questions facing policymakers today, from nuclear deterrence and alliance management to engagement strategies with North Korea and the future of regional security architecture in East Asia.

Known for combining policy experience with rigorous analysis, Aum has become a respected voice on the realities of dealing with North Korea. His research challenges assumptions that have shaped decades of policy and explores how diplomacy, risk reduction and confidence-building measures can contribute to long-term stability. His work has examined peace-building initiatives on the Korean Peninsula, US-North Korea negotiations, Japan-South Korea relations and new frameworks for peaceful coexistence in Northeast Asia.

Earlier in his career, Frank completed a Fulbright Scholarship in South Korea, worked as a speechwriter for South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and supported civic engagement initiatives within the Korean American community in Los Angeles. He also practised as a corporate attorney, giving him a rare combination of legal, diplomatic and national security expertise. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Committee on North Korea.