Korean Kontext

Public Opinion in South Korea: Insights into Relations with U.S., China and Japan

Public opinion can help to both shape and inform public policy. A president with strong approval numbers across ideological divides has significant scope to make policy decisions. While a national consensus on an issue can both help to facilitate policy options and limit the scope for compromise on critical foreign policy issues. To discuss this important aspect of the policy process, Korean Kontext sat down with Karl Friedhoff of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies to discuss the favorability of the new Park Geun-hye administration, the future influence of the United States and China on global affairs, as well as the prospect of a new norm in Korea-Japan relations.

A Frank Discussion on the Challenges for Economic Reform in North Korea

In the mid-1990s, North Korea experienced a famine that by some estimates wiped out 10 percent of the population. Though many at the time thought the regime would collapse, it has maintained control on power while at times allowing markets to spring up to supplement the state economy. At various points these openings have led to speculation that North Korea could engage in Chinese style economic reforms.

With Kim Jong-un now calling for his regime to pursue both guns and butter, it has again raised speculation that North Korea could engage in economic reforms. While it is still unclear if this is indeed the case, Korean Kontext sat down with Rüdiger Frank, Professor at the University of Vienna,  to discuss the challenges North Korea would face if it pursued economic reform , how regional leadership changes could impact Pyoungyang’s calculations, and the prospects for the new South Korean administration’s policy of Trustpolitik.

China and Northeast Asia

Over the last decade, China has become an increasingly important country for South Korea has it has emerged as Seoul’s largest trading partner and a leading player in efforts to convince North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions. However, China’s increasing influence in recent years has also raised concerns among the nations of Northeast and Southeast Asia. 

With new leadership now in place in both Seoul and Beijing, Korean Kontext sat down with Dr. David Kang, Director of the Korean Studies Institute and Professor of International Relations and Business at the University of Southern California, to discuss the impacts of China’s rise on Northeast Asia and the future of South Korea’s relations with China under Park Geun-hye and Xi Jinping.

Prospects for the Future of the Kaesong Industrial Complex

On April 8, North Korea withdrew all of its workers from the Kaesong Industrial Complex, temporarily placing on hold the last form of cooperation between North and South Korea from the sunshine era. The complex, which employed 53,000 North Korean workers at 123 South Korean factories, served as an important form of cooperation and had become the primary avenue for trade between the two Koreas. 

Prior to the decision to reopen the complex, Korean Kontext spoke with:

• Marcus Noland of the Peterson Institute for International Economics
• Mark Manyin of the Congressional Research Service (CRS)

about the history of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, the challenges in making it commercially viable once it reopens, and the prospects for international investment.

South Korea - U.S. Nuclear Cooperation: Opportunities and Challenges

South Korea’s nuclear energy industry has for decades been facilitated through close cooperation with counterparts in the United States under what is known as a “123 Agreement”.  Today South Korea’s nuclear power program supplies roughly one third of the nation’s electricity and the country has begun a concerted effort to break into the nuclear export market.  But as South Korea’s nuclear power industry and infrastructure has grown, so too has its desire for peaceful nuclear sovereignty, something that would entail their acquisition of domestic reprocessing and uranium enrichment facilities.

A problem arises from the fact that the current U.S. – South Korea nuclear cooperation agreement limits Seoul’s capacity to acquire the sensitive nuclear technologies required for both reprocessing and uranium enrichment. However, because that treaty expires on March 19 2014, Korean policy makers are currently negotiating with American counterparts to change the terms of agreement.

To date, the U.S. has opposed South Korea’s requests on the grounds of general non-proliferation policy and the complications that such activities might pose for other security issues on the Korean peninsula. On the other hand, South Korea needs to find a solution to its nuclear waste problem, and hopes  to join the ranks of U.S. allies like Japan and India trusted with enrichment and reprocessing technologies.

With scope for potential disagreement, the two parties are running out of time to find a mutually satisfactory solution to the dilemma, and even after any updated 123 agreement is filed, it must sit before congress for 90 days, with time reserved for any complications which may arise during the review process.

As debates continue to swirl about the future of U.S. – South Korea nuclear cooperation we invite you to join us for a special podcast that looks at the issue from a number of angles. Panelists include:

• Mr. Gordon Flake, Mansfield Foundation (Washington, DC)
• Mr. Mark Fitzpatrick, International Institute for Strategic Studies (London)
• Mr. Mark Holt, Congressional Research Service (Washington, DC)
• Prof. Seongho Sheen, Seoul National University (Seoul, ROK)

James Pearson : A Window Into Korean Internet Culture

Not everyone in Korea or foreigners abroad want to hear about national advertising initiatives that focus on mainstream issues like K-Pop, Hallyu or ancient Korean Kimchi culture. Instead, many want to know what ordinary Koreans are talking about and how they feel while going about their daily lives.  But where do they go to find out about these kind of things without Korean language skills? Well, stepping in to fill this void last year was a website called Korea Bang, developed by two postgraduate Korean Studies students hailing from the United Kingdom. Geared primarily at offering English translations of Korea’s most popular online stories and related comments, KoreaBang.com has grown rapidly to become one of the most visited English language websites in the world to focus exclusively on Korean daily life and culture. To find out more, Korean Kontext spoke to one of the sites two founding editors, Mr. James Pearson. Through an in-depth interview with Pearson, we found out how the site plays an important role for both the general public and serious Korea watching communities. Pearson also gave details about the unique lens that the site provides and detailed some of the stories that often lay untouched by English language media.

Meet The Honorees : Korean American Day 2013

On January 11, 2013, the Korea Economic Institute of America recently led Washington DC's celebration of Korean American Day by hosting a luncheon event to honor two Korean Americans for their work in giving back to local, regional, and international communities.  Joined at the event by World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim and NBC4 TV Presenter Eun Yang, KEIA recognized the work of One Day's Wages founder Eugene Cho, and Kyung Yoon, co-founder of the Korean American Community Foundation. After the event and ceremony, Korean Kontext got the opportunity to speak more with Eugene and Kyung, to find out more about their work, how Korean Americans are giving back, and what they thought about being recognized for their endeavors.  Join us for a very special podcast with the honorees of Korean American Day 2013!

North Korea's Satellite Launch: Mark Fitzpatrick - IISS

With North Korea announcing to the world that it will be attempting to launch a second satellite for 2012, many analysts have been speculating as to why Pyongyang is so keen to try another launch just months after the last one ended in catastrophic failure. Marking the 100 year anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birth, 2012 is a highly symbolic year for North Korea and it seems likely that domestic motivations are playing an important role in understanding the timing of the next launch. But with South Korea’s presidential elections coinciding with the rocket launch window, it is also possible the DPRK may be attempting to influence that the ROK’s electoral outcome. To make sense of what's going on, Korea Kontext spoke to Mark Fitzpatrick, the Director of Non-Proliferation and Disarmament at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Following North Korea's weapons of mass destruction programs for a number of years, Fitzpatrick has a close understanding of the drivers behind Pyongyang's strategic thinking.  Prior to his appointment at IISS, Fitzpatrick focused on non-proliferation issues at the State Department in Washington DC for over 25 years. Among his duties, Fitzpatrick oversaw implementation of the Proliferation Security Initiative, advanced conventional arms and technology controls, proliferation sanctions, and export control cooperation programs. Join us for a timely and insightful conversation on the impact and consequences of North Korea's next satellite launch.

Korea: The Impossible Country - Daniel Tudor

In this episode we spoke to The Economist's South Korea correspondent, Daniel Tudor. Having been based in Korea for over a decade, Tudor has just finished writing one of the few English language books to have been published in recent years on the subject of the Republic of Korea.

In Korea: The Impossible Country, Tudor examines Korea's cultural foundations; the Korean character; the public sphere in politics, business, and the workplace as well as the family, dating, and marriage. In doing so, he touches on topics as diverse as shamanism, clan-ism, the dilemma posed by North Korea, the myths about doing business in Korea, the Koreans' renowned hard-partying ethos, and why the infatuation with learning English is now causing huge social problems.

In the podcast we touch upon several of these subjects and take a close look at some of the unique qualities that have made South Korea the country it is today. Join us for a fascinating conversation and download the episode today!

For more information on Tudor's new book, click here.

Psy & The Rise of K-Pop : Mark Russell

With worldwide familiarity of Korean pop culture increasing through the viral exposure of Korean musician Psy’s hit record “Gangnam Style”, this episode Korean Kontext speaks to Mark James Russell, author of “Pop Goes to Korea”. Having lived in South Korea for over 13 years, Russell is a regular writer on Korean culture and entertainment for the New York Times, Newsweek, and Hollywood Reporter among other titles. Having also spent several years developing and producing several documentaries about Korean pop culture and history, Korean Kontext thought he would make an ideal candidate for trying to understand South Korea’s increasing prominence in the worlds of film, music and art. What does the rise of Psy tell us about the popularity of Korean music in the United States, how is the internet helping bubble Korean content creators to the top of the game, and what role can government play in catalyzing the cultural output of its people? Mark answers these questions and more in essential listening for anyone interested in Korea’s growing cultural prominence.

B.R. Myers - The Cleanest Race

In this episode we spoke to B.R. Myers, author of “The Cleanest Race” and regular contributor to the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and The Atlantic.  Having been raised in South Africa and having received his MA in Soviet Studies just in time for the fall of the Berlin Wall, Myers went on to earn a PhD in North Korean literature in the early 1990s.  Now based in South Korea, Myers is an associate professor of international studies at Dongseo University in Busan

From his book “The Cleanest Race”, Myers stands out from the rest for arguing that North Korea's political system is based neither on Communism or Stalinism and that attempts to understand North Korea as a Confucian patriarchy operating within a Cold War framework are misguided.  His views have received mixed opinions from the think-tank orthodoxy.  While some regard his outlook as a fresh approach to the topic, others have rebutted his interpretation of North Korea as a national socialist country and continue to view it through the lens of cold war politics.

Join us for a fascinating interview with Myers about his feelings on the North Korea watcher community’s reception to his work, his feelings of North Korea's current situation and about the future of North-South relations.

Jennifer Lind: Dartmouth College

In this interview Korea Kontext speaks with Dr. Jennifer Lind, assistant professor at the Department of Government, Dartmouth College.  Well known for her work on North Korea and N.E. Asia security issues, Lind’s research interests includes war memory and international politics, regime change and East Asian stability, and the evolution of nationalism.  She’s also well known for a paper she wrote last year with Bruce Bennett of the Rand Foundation, which focused on what force requirements would be needed in the event of a benign collapse of the Pyongyang regime.

With her North Korea focus, in this episode we caught up with Dr. Lind about the DPRK government’s resilience and whether or not it will be possible for Kim Jong-un to make substantial reforms moving forward.  If you enjoy the podcast, you may also be interested in reading an additional Q&A with her on the KEI blog website, on the subject of inter-state apologies in N.E. Asia.

Steve Byrne: Sullivan And Sons

In this episode we spoke to comedian and actor Steven Byrne, of the brand new TBS series “Sullivan and Sons”.  Known as one of the hardest working and energetic comics in the U.S., since his first show in 1997 Byrne has gradually risen to the top and become one of America’s premiere comics to watch. Hailing from Pittsburgh, Steve Byrne was born to a Korean mother and an Irish father and has been featured in numerous comedy tours and festivals including the The Kims of Comedy with fellow Korean-American comedians Bobby Lee, Ken Jeong and Kevin Shea.

In the podcast Korean Kontext talked to Byrne over Skype about his links to Korea, his decision to pursue a career in comedy, and his new project, Sullivan and Sons. Join us for a fascinating conversation with one of the funniest comedians in the U.S.

You can find out more about the show Sullivan & Sons at the TBS website.  Visit Steve Byrne's website here.

L. Gordon Flake - Mike & Maureen Mansfield Foundation

Korean Kontext recently spoke to Gordon Flake of the Mike and Maureen Mansfield Foundation for a conversation about Korea's rising prominence as a "middle power".  Focussing on South Korea's rapidly strengthening international status, Mr. Flake explained the conditions that helped lead to South Korea's impressive growth, how its influence on the global stage compares to other similarly sized nations, and how its alliance with the U.S. helps contribute to its position. L. Gordon Flake joined the Mansfield Foundation in February 1999.  He was previously a Senior Fellow and Associate Director of the Program on Conflict Resolution at The Atlantic Council of the United States and prior to that Director for Research and Academic Affairs at the Korea Economic Institute of America. He has authored numerous book chapters on policy issues in Asia and is a regular contributor to the U.S. and Asian press.  Mr. Flake has traveled to North Korea numerous times.  He is a member of the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies and serves on the Board of the United States Committee of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific (USCSCAP) as well as on the Board of the U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea and the Advisory Council of the Korea Economic Institute of America.

Lt. General Robert Gard Jr. - Korean War Veteran

62 years ago on this day of June 25, hostilities broke out on the Korean peninsula. It was a conflict that ended only due to what everybody thought would be a temporary armistice agreement.  Who would have thought six decades later, a state of war would still prevail on the Korean peninsula and that the DPRK would have develop a nuclear weapons capability? To remember the past and look forward to the future, in this episode Korean Kontext spoke to current Chairman of The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation and Korean War veteran, Lt. General Robert G. Gard, Jr. Having fought in the Korean war, for the first half of the interview General Gard reflects upon his initial deployment to Korea, details his first impressions of Korea, and describes the complex dynamics that the Cold War presented.  In the second half of the interview, Gard sets out his personal views and opinions on why efforts to prevent a nuclear North Korea ultimately failed and what opportunities were missed. Beyond his contribution to the United States army, Gard served as Executive Assistant to two secretaries of defense; was the first Director of Human Resources Development for the U.S. Army; Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs; and President of National Defense University (NDU). Gard also served for five years as director of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies Center in Bologna, Italy, and then as President of the Monterey Institute of International Studies from 1987 to 1998. The views expressed in this podcast reflect General Gard's own personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Korea Economic Institute.

Shin Kyung-sook - Author, "Please Look After Mom"

Korean Kontext caught up with Man Asian literary prize winner Shin Kyung-sook for a chat about her latest novel, “Please Look After Mom".  Shin became the first woman and South Korean to ever take the prize after being chosen above better known contenders like Haruki Moorakami and Tahm ima Anam. "Please Look After Mom", recently translated into English, traces the life of Park So-nyo, a wife and mother who suffers a stroke and becomes separated from her husband on the train when travelling from the countryside into Seoul. As her family search the South Korean capital's streets for her, they remember So-nyo's life and the sacrifices she has made for them.  "Please Look After Mom" has already sold almost two million copies in South Korea alone, and is now set to be released in 32 countries. In our conversation with Shin Kyung-sook, we asked her about why she thought the book had become so popular, what she thought of its reception in the U.S., and for her impressions of modern society and the changing media environment. Picture Credit: Man Asian Literary Prize

South Korean Minister for Trade, Bark Taeho

In this special episode, Korean Kontext had the opportunity to speak to South Korean Minister for Trade, Bark Taeho, during his latest visit to Washington DC. KEI’s Vice President, Dr. Abraham Kim led the conversation with Minister Bark, talking with him about Korea’s recovery from the global economic crisis, Korean investment in emerging economies, progress in implementing the KORUS FTA, and Asian regional integration. Prior to his role with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Minister Bark was the Dean of the Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University. Holding a PhD in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Minister Bark has ample practical experience in the field, having been Chairman of Korea Trade Commission, President at the Korean Association of Trade and Industry Studies, and Chair of the Investment Expert Group of APEC.  In addition to his impressive professional experience, Minister Bark was a former visiting scholar at both the World Bank and IMF, and also taught at the Asia-Pacific Research Center at Stanford University.

James Kyson - Heroes

For the latest episode, Korean Kontext spoke to Korean-American actor James Kyson. Having made waves for his performance as Japanese character Ando Masahashi on hit NBC television series "Heroes", Korean Kontext caught up with James for a chat about the role, his broader career, and interests outside of acting.  Moving to the United States aged ten, we also asked James about growing up in New York City as an immigrant,what he thought about Hallyu – otherwise known as the Korean wave, his views on the prospects for U.S. – Korea relations, and purely out of interest, what his first on-screen kiss was like. Join us for a must-hear conversation with the one and only Korean-American "Hero"!

Steven Yeun: The Walking Dead

In this episode, Korean Kontext spoke to Korean-American actor Steven Yeun.  Having acted in several high profile TV shows, Yeun's interest in acting originated during his freshman year at Kalamazoo College after watching improv group "Monkapult".  Originally studying Psychology at Kalamazoo, Yeun's parents gave him two years to try acting and it didn't take long for him to win his first roles.  Fast-forward to 2010 and Yeun was cast as Glenn in the hugely popular The Walking Dead, a character that put him on millions of TV screens worldwide. Korean Kontext caught up with Steven over Skype for a chat about his career as a Korean American actor, current role in The Walking Dead, and future career aspirations.  Tune in for a fascinating conversation with Steven Yeun of The Walking Dead.

How Korea’s English-Language Media is Changing the World: A Discussion with Sohn, Jie-Ae, Arirang TV

In this episode, Korean Kontext speaks with Ms. Jie-ae Sohn, President of Arirang TV & Radio, Korea's first English language international broadcast system. Ms. Sohn worked as the former CNN Bureau Chief for Seoul and Head Correspondent for South Korea. She was also the spokeswoman for the Seoul G-20 Summit in November 2010. During the interview, Ms. Sohn spoke about modern Korean culture, K-culture, the South Korean elections, the role of women in South Korea, her experiences as a journalist, and more.

Iran Sanctions and South Korea

Preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons has emerged to be one of the key foreign policy priorities of the Obama administration. Despite efforts among Western powers to form a united front in trying to pressure Iran to become more transparent with its nuclear program, questions remain regarding Tehrans intentions, and talk of war has become increasingly louder in Western media. In an effort to resolve the issue, President Obama increased the pressure on Iran on December 31 2011, by signing into law the 2012 National Defense Authorization act, a move which laid the groundwork for a policy banning any state from transactions with the Central Bank of Iran. The policy in effect prohibits the signing or continuation of oil contracts with Iran and any third country or company that wants to continue to deal with the U.S. As a close ally of the U.S. and a country with a clear commitment to nuclear non-proliferation, South Korea has a strong impetus to go along with international efforts to reduce oil imports from Iran. However, being an energy importing country that obtains nearly ten per cent of its oil supplies from Iran each year, South Korea is in a difficult position. In an effort to better understand the situation and choices that Seoul now faces, Korean Kontext spoke to - Dr. Matthew Kroenig, Stanton Nuclear Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations - Dr. Balbina Hwang, Visiting Professor at the National Defense University / Georgetown University - Philip Yun, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Ploughshares Fund - Tim Boersma, Fellow at the German Marshall Fund's Transatlantic Academy Join us for a stimulating discussion on the complexities of the sanctions situation, South Korea's bilateral relations with Iran, and how North Korea impacts on the decision making process.

KORUS FTA: Wendy Cutler and Kim Ghee-whan

By the time you read this, the KORUS FTA will have entered the implementation stage. To celebrate, Korean Kontext caught up with two of the main movers-and-shakers behind the deal to find out more about what it was like to work on the agreement and learn about their thoughts and hopes as things now move forward. Starting the conversation, Korean Kontext spoke to Ms. Wendy Cutler, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Japan, Korea and APEC Affairs. During the conversation she talked about how the post-FTA U.S. – Korea relationship fits into the broader regional economic picture, what it had been like to work on Korea over the past decade, and what challenges still remained. To get a better impression of Seoul’s perspective, Korean Kontext went to the ROK Embassy to speak to Minister for Economic Affairs Kim Ghee-Whan about his view on the agreement. He explained why the deal was so beneficial to Korea, how his country would take full advantage of it, and how he had found working in the U.S. Download the podcast here and celebrate the implementation of what some are now calling the “third pillar” of the U.S. – Korea alliance.

Ambassadors Wolstenholme and Choo

This episode of Korean Kontext has a distinctly British flavor, featuring interviews with two leading Ambassadors that work closely on UK and Korea related affairs. While recently in London, Korean Kontext had the opportunity of speaking to South Korea's Ambassador to the UK,  Choo Kyu-ho. Through an insightful exchange with the Ambassador, Korean Kontext learnt about South Korea's diplomatic objectives in the UK, what lessons North East Asian countries might be able to learn from the Eurozone crisis and EU integration, and what it was like for the Embassy to work in a country also sharing a DPRK diplomatic presence. And back in Washington DC, Korean Kontext recently met with the UK's new Ambassador to North Korea - Karen Wolstenholme.  A fascinating conversation with the UK's top diplomat in North Korea reveals what life is like as an Ambassador in Pyongyang, what level of in-country contact the UK has with DPRK officials, and how things have been like since the death of Kim Jong-il. Tune in and download the podcast today - it is an essential listen for any Korea-watcher!

Phillippe Cousteau, JR - USA Pavillion

This episode, Korean Kontext speaks to Phillippe Cousteau JR, chief spokesperson for the USA Pavillion at the 2012 Yeosu Exposition.  With the overall theme of the expo named "The Living Ocean and Coast", Korean Kontext spoke to Cousteau to find out more about his passion for marine affairs and conversation, his team's plans for the U.S. take on the theme, and to learn more about the exciting "Student Ambassador" program on offer to students seeking to get out to Korea to take part in this expo.

The 2012 Yeosu Exposition will be taking place in the coastal town of Yeosu in South Korea from May to August 2012, and the U.S. will be represented among 103 countries at the USA Pavillion.  The United States’ commitment to World Expo 2012 highlights the strong relationship between the United States and the Republic of Korea.

Daniel Dae Kim: Actor

On Friday January 13, the Korea Economic Institute (KEI) celebrated Korean American day at the Newseum, in Washington, DC.  As part of the celebration, KEI recognized three Korean-American pioneers in the fields of art and literature: - Peter H. Lee, Professor Emeritus of Korean and Comparative Literature, UCLA - Youngsuk Chi, Chairman, Elsevier Management Committee - Daniel Dae Kim, Actor, "Hawaii Five-0" and "Lost" Following the award ceremony and a short discussion panel (currently viewable on KEI's Youtube Channel), Korean Kontext got the opportunity to speak to Daniel Dae Kim about his life as a Korean American actor growing up in the United States. In this special Korean-American day episode of Korean Kontext, find out about Daniel Dae Kim's decision to choose acting over law, his interest in politics, how he balances being both American and Korean, and how he gives back to the community as a whole.   Join us for a fascinating insight into Daniel Dae Kim's work both on and off the stage. Tweet

North Korea After Kim Jong-il

Our latest edition of Korean Kontext focuses on the recent death of Kim Jong-il and the prospects for North Korea under the stewardship of his son, Kim Jong-un.  In this special length episode recorded in the United Kingdom,  Korean Kontext spoke to four European experts and practitioners: 1) Britain’s long-time North Korea watcher Mr. Aidan Foster-Carter (Honorary Senior Research Fellow in Sociology & Modern Korea, Leeds University); 2) Mr. Andray Abrahamian (the Executive Director of Chosun Exchange - a not-for-profit focusing on educational issues in the DPRK); 3)  Ms. Marie-laure Verdier (a specialist studying humanitarian NGOs active along the China-North Korea border; and 4) Mr. Gareth Johnson (a British entrepreneur who lives in China and does business in North Korea). With North Koreans idolizing the Kim family for over six decades, it was no surprise to see the country shut-down in widespread grief for an official period of mourning following news of Kim Jong-il’s death.  But how was the news received elsewhere in the world like Europe? How was the quality of the general news coverage?  What was the impact on Western business and NGO activities along the border regions and within North Korea? How did North Korea’s interaction with the outside world change after the death especially with international NGOs and businesses?  The Korean Kontext explores these questions and more with European experts that give their assessment of North Korea’s tenuous future. Come listen to the conversations as the Korean Kontext analyzes one of the most significant developments North of the DMZ this millennium.

Tourism in North Korea: A Special Feature

Ever wondered why someone might be motivated to spend their summer vacation  in the DPRK, or interested to learn about the guides that accompany visitors during a stay in North Korea? Perhaps you'd like to know more about the legalities of visiting Mount Kumgang, a resort originally developed by South Korea's Hyundai Asan, expropriated by DPRK authorities earlier this year.  If so, then this special-length podcast is definitely for you! In our North Korea tourism special, Korean Kontext speaks to two of the movers-and-shakers in the world of DPRK tourism.  Simon Cockerell is the General Manager at Koryo Tours, a British run company that has been leading tours to the DPRK since 1993 , that has also helped produce several award winning documentaries on the country.  Walter Keats is President of Asia Pacific Travel, a U.S. company that has been conducting tours to N.E. Asia since the 1970s, and visits specifically to North Korea since 1995.  Join us for a fascinating conversation about the nature of tourism in one of the world's most unique destinations!

TK: Ask a Korean

In this episode, Chad O'Carroll speaks with "TK" ("The Korean"), the man behind the must-read blog, "Ask a Korean".  TK has been running his blog for five years and it covers a wide range of questions from curious visitors on everything from Korean customs and culture to politics and law. The "Ask a Korean" blog has also been featured in a variety of media outlets, including the New York Times, the Economist, and CNN Online. Join us as TK shares his insights on U.S.-Korea relations, being a Korean living in America, and even the dreaded scourge of fan death.

Scott Snyder: Council on Foreign Relations

In this episode, Korean Kontext Scott Snyder of the Council on Foreign Relations. Having written a number of publications on U.S. relations with South and North Korea, and speaking regularly to various media, Scott is one of the leading voices on Korean affairs in Washington DC. In this interview, he talks to Korean Kontext about President Lee Myung Bak's recent summit meeting with President Obama in Washington DC, and recent developments with regards to both the KORUS FTA and North Korea.

Andrei Lankov: Kookmin University

In this episode, Korea Economic Institute's Director of Public Affairs and Regional Issues Sarah Yun speaks with Dr. Andrei Lankov of Kookimin University. Having written a number of books on North Korea, and contributing to regular columns in the Asia Times, Korea Times and The Daily NK, Dr. Lankov is one of the leading voices on the DPRK. Hailing originally from Saint Petersburg (then Leningrad), Lankov has a unique background among Korea Watchers, having studied in North Korea during the 1980s and witnessed the breakup of his native Soviet Union in the early 1990s. In this interview, he talks to Sarah about his time living in North Korea, current prospects for inter-Korean relations, and how he remains motivated to work on the issue - despite a rather negative outlook for the future of the peninsula.

Curtis Melvin: NKEconwatch.com

In this episode, Korean Kontext speaks with Curtis Melvin, the man behind the NK Econ Watch blog and developer of "North Korea Uncovered", a Google Map overlay that was front page news in the Wall Street Journal back in 2009. In the interview, Mr. Melvin describes where his interest in North Korea came from, explains why he set up his mapping project, and talks about some of the issues that his blog touches upon day-to-day.

Kevin O'Donnell: National Director of Peace Corps

In this episode, we speak with Kevin O'Donnell, who, after decades on a private sector career path, became the first-ever Peace Corps country director for South Korea, followed by a term as national director of the Peace Corps. Mr. O'Donnell shares with us his accounts of moving to Korea for the first time, some of the challenges he faced during a budget crisis, and the relationship between the Peace Corps and its host nations.

Richard V. Allen, National Security Advisor to Reagan

In this episode of Korean Kontext, I have the opportunity to speak with Richard V. Allen, who, in the weeks preceding his official instatement as National Security Advisor to President-elect Ronald Reagan in 1981, was involved in a secret agreement to intervene on behalf of liberal political leader Kim Dae-jung, who had been sentenced to death by the then-Korean government under Chun Doo-hwan. The details of this story have only recently become known, even to Kim Dae-jung, who, nearly 20 years later, became the 15th president of South Korea.

Sam Yoon: Boston Politics & Community Organizing

This episode features a conversation with Sam Yoon, Executive Director of the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations (NACEDA). Prior to his work with NACEDA, Sam served on the Boston City Council before running in the Boston mayoral race in 2009. Sam shares with us stories of his experiences as an Asian-American in Boston politics, his efforts in local community organizing, and the need to get more Korean-Americans active on the political scene.

Escaping North Korea - Mike Kim

In this episode we hear from author Mike Kim, who speaks with Korean Kontext about his experiences living and working with North Korean refugees on the China-North Korea border. Mike shares with us what prompted him to leave everything behind and move to China, what it was like to work directly with North Korean escapees, and what more must be done to help them. Since his time in China, Mike has published a book, "Escaping North Korea", which he is currently working on turning into a full-length film. Check out Mike's Twitter feed: MikeKimNK

Filmmaker Michael Kang

In this episode we hear from Korean-American filmmaker Michael Kang, who made his directorial debut at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival with The Motel, which was awarded the Humanitas Prize as well as the NHK International Filmmakers Award. Michael also directed West 32nd and speaks with us about his third full-length film, Knots, which is slated for release this spring.

U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Kathleen Stephens

We bring the Korean Kontext studio to the U.S. Department of State to speak with Kathleen Stephens, current U.S. Ambassador to South Korea. Ambassador Stephens shares with us her personal memories of Korea in the 1970s when she served there in the Peace Corps, her experience as not only the first female U.S. Ambassador to South Korea but also the first to speak Korean fluently, and her response to the recent WikiLeaks uproar.

UK Ambassador to North Korea John Everard

In this episode we speak with Ambassador John Everard, who served as Ambassador of Great Britain to North Korea from 2006-2008. Ambassador Everard experienced firsthand life as one of only a handful of foreign diplomats posted in Pyongyang, and draws from his experience to share anecdotes and insights into a way of life and a system of governance that is largely obscured from public view.

Hawon Lee, D.C. Bureau Chief of Chosun Ilbo Newspaper

Hello again after the holiday break! Just before the holidays I spoke with Hawon Lee, who was just wrapping up his nearly four years as Washington D.C. Bureau Chief of the Chosun Ilbo. The Chosun Ilbo is one of the largest newspapers in Korea with nearly 2 million printed editions circulated daily and an international readership spanning the globe. Mr. Lee spoke with me just days before he departed for his permanent move back to Seoul, where he will continue to work as a journalist for the Chosun Ilbo. Mr. Lee has by now interviewed both Presidents Obama and Lee, and has spent years shedding light--and sometimes sparking controversy--on the domestic and international policies of both the United States and his home country, South Korea. In this conversation, Mr. Lee shares with us his insights on what it's like to "create oneself" as a foreign correspondent in D.C., how the current administration seems to differ from its predecessor, and how to maintain objectivity in an environment that seems to place a high premium on personal connections.

North Korea’s Inner Court Politics and the Future of Succession

In this episode we speak with Mr. Ken E. Gause, currently a senior research analyst with the International Affairs Group and Iranian Studies Program at CNA Strategic Studies in Alexandria, Virginia.  In our conversation we focus primarily on North Korean succession, its current state, and implications for the future. Mr. Gause has published a number of articles, book chapters, and papers on North Korean military and leadership including “The North Korean Leadership: System Dynamics and Fault Lines,” in North Korean Policy Elites by Kongdan Oh Hassig, et al. and “North Korean Civil-Military Trends: Military-First Politics to a Point,” published by the Strategic Studies Institute at the United States Army War College.

 

After the Seoul G-20 Summit: Balbina Hwang

In this episode, we are joined by Balbina Hwang, currently a visiting professor at Georgetown University and the National Defense University here in D.C. Ms. Hwang is here to speak about the G-20 summit meeting hosted in Seoul just last week, on November 11^th and 12^th. More specifically, Ms. Hwang offers her insights on what exactly was riding on the summit meeting, what actually happened there, and what the implications are for member nations now that the meeting has concluded.

ROK Ambassador Han on the Seoul G20 Summit and More

This episode takes us directly into the office of Ambassador Han Duk-Soo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States, who shares his thoughts on the much-anticipated G-20 Summit to be hosted in Seoul next week. Having served as Korea's Prime Minister, Trade Minister, and Finance Minister before assuming his current role, he draws from past and present experiences alike to discuss Korea's changing role on the world stage, his hopes for the outcome of the G-20 Summit, prospects for passage of the KORUS FTA next year.

Manufacturing and the KORUS FTA with Doug Goudie

In this episode we speak with Doug Goudie, Director of International Trade Policy at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Mr. Goudie draws from his experiences to share his perspective on the U.S.-Korean manufacturing relationship, its prospects for the future, and how the relationship may be affected by the ratification of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement.

KORUS FTA with Tami Overby

In this episode we hear from Tami Overby, Vice President for Asia at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and former President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea. Ms. Overby discusses the current state of the KORUS FTA, the challenges it faces, its prospects for the future, and her own experiences as a leader of the Chamber of Commerce, Korea.

A Conversation with Ambassador Chris Hill

We are joined in the Korean Kontext studio by Ambassador Christopher Hill, who has recently taken up the position of Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver after recently concluding an assignment as United States Ambassador to Iraq in 2010. During his more than three decades at the Department of State, Ambassador Hill has served as U.S. Ambassador to four countries, including South Korea. Ambassador Hill has garnered a reputation as a high-stakes negotiator, having served as Head of Delegation for the Six Party Talks as well as deputy to chief negotiator Richard Holbrooke at the Dayton Peace Talks, which brokered the Bosnia peace settlement in 1995. In this conversation, Ambassador Hill reflects upon his personal experiences as a career diplomat, his observations from the vantage point of a high-level negotiator, influences on his own career decision-making, and how he has managed to keep his cool in one of the most stressful career paths one could take.

The Man with the Baltic Stare

In this episode we hear from the elusive James Church, author of the acclaimed Inspector O novels, which include The Corpse in the Koryo and Hidden Moon. Mr. Church has recently published his fourth book, The Man with the Baltic Stare, and I am one of the first and only to  speak with him about it publicly.

What makes this even more exciting is the enigma behind James Church, who has for years now enshrouded himself from the public eye. The name is actually a pseudonym, and his voice has been altered for this recording. The author is a former Western intelligence officer who has spent a great deal of time in Asia. This is just about everything that we and the public know about Mr. Church, so we will take advantage of this opportunity to dig into the mystery hopefully illuminate a bit more about this man and his books.

NetKAL 2010

Since 2006, NetKAL has assembled a formidable representation of Korean-American leaders. Spanning every possible industry and specialization, these individuals are on the front lines of inciting positive change in both the United States and abroad. In this episode, we speak with this year's participants, alumni, and the creators of the program to get at the heart of the NetKAL program: who participates, what does the experience offer, and why we, on the outside of the NetKAL framework, should care.

Opinion Leaders 2010

Now in its tenth year, KEI's Opinion Leaders Seminar (OLS) is an annual gathering of some of the world's foremost policymakers and scholars on the U.S.-South Korean alliance. In this episode, we highlight this year's OLS event, if only to springboard into some of the most important topics related to U.S.-Korea affairs at the moment. The event was closed to the public and off the record to allow the participants an open environment in which to express their true opinions without inhibitions. Although we were not able to record the actual discourse (for obvious reasons), I was able to snag a few words with the American co-chair of the seminar, Alan Romberg, as well as with Dr. Kim Yongho, one of OLS' Korean participants.

Academic Paper Series: Alon Levkowitz

An exclusive interview with Dr. Alon Levkowitz, author of the most recent edition of the Korea Economic Institute's Academic Paper Series. His paper, titled "The Republic of Korea and the Middle East: Economics, Diplomacy, and Security," was presented at the KEI conference facility on August 4.