Avsnitt
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In the latest episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, Lina and Joon Ha discuss the much-anticipated first formal meeting between opposition leader Lee Jae-myung and President Yoon Suk-yeol since Yoon's inauguration. The episode highlights how Lee’s surprise speech to the press allowed the opposition to dominate the optics. However, the outcome remained ambiguous, with both sides presenting differing narratives of the discussion and leaving several high-profile issues unresolved.
The episode also delves into upcoming political events, including Choo Mi-ae, the frontrunner for speaker of the National Assembly, nominations for the next ruling and opposition floor leaders, a plenary session to pass the revised Itaewon probe bill, a contentious bill for a special investigation into the death of a marine last year, and updates on the doctors' strikes.
Lastly, the Korea Pro team discusses socio-economic issues, such as the controversy over universal cash vouchers and the financial pressures faced by small and medium-sized business owners. They also explore the recent rise of unmanned shops and the associated social challenges.
About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on May 1, 2024.
Audio edited by Joe Smith -
In this week's episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, co-hosts Jeongmin and John delve into the upcoming meeting between President Yoon Suk-yeol and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. They discuss Lee’s proposal to provide $180 to every South Korean citizen, which would cost around $9 billion, and analyze the potential impact and motivations behind this plan.
The duo also examines South Korea’s recent arms exports to Romania. They also explore the potential for expanded nuclear energy cooperation between South Korea and Romania while considering the implications of Westinghouse Electric Corporation’s dismissed case against South Korea over the APR1400 reactor design.
Finally, the co-hosts discuss the political fate of Cho Kuk, whose Rebuilding Korea Party failed to secure the 20 seats necessary to form a negotiation group in the National Assembly.
About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on April 25, 2024.
Audio edited by Joe Smith -
Saknas det avsnitt?
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In this week’s episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin is on vacation, so John is joined by news trainees Joon Ha Park and Lina Park. The trio discusses the aftermath of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s senior staff resignations following the ruling People Power Party’s defeat in the previous week’s general elections.
The team examines potential candidates for the prime minister and chief of staff positions. They also delve into Yoon’s meeting with Daegu City Mayor Hong Joon-pyo and the president’s remark about being open to meeting with Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, a significant development given Yoon’s lack of engagement with Lee since his inauguration.
The episode also covers the controversy surrounding the Sewol documentary, which was originally planned to air on KBS on April 18 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the ferry sinking. The team discusses KBS’ decision to postpone the documentary’s air date to June, citing concerns about influencing the general elections and their desire to reframe the documentary to focus on PTSD in general rather than solely on the Sewol tragedy.
About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on April 18, 2024.
Audio edited by Joe Smith -
In this slightly extended episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin and John delve into the aftermath of South Korea’s general elections, which saw the ruling People Power Party (PPP) suffer another landslide defeat while the Democratic Party (DP) and the Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP) emerged victorious.
The hosts discuss the string of resignations that followed the election, including PPP interim leader Han Dong-hoon, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and the president's chief of staff. They also explore the question of who will become the PPP’s new leader and whether President Yoon Suk-yeol will finally meet with DP leader Lee Jae-myung.
Jeongmin and John then delve into the potential for cooperation between the DP and the RKP, as well as which new parties have entered the National Assembly and which ones have lost their seats. Finally, they discuss what the election results could mean for some of the president’s long-term policies and his overall agenda.
About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on April 11, 2024.
Audio edited by Joe Smith
Editor’s note: The hosts stated that the Liberty Unification Party won a National Assembly seat. However, the party received less than the required 3% of total votes and remains unrepresented in the National Assembly. -
In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin and John cover three key topics surrounding the upcoming South Korean general elections.
First, they delve into the record number of overseas South Koreans who participated in early voting. John shares his experiences with this demographic from his younger days and discusses how the group may have changed over the years.
Next, the hosts address the People Power Party’s challenges, as its interim leader, Han Dong-hoon, pleads with voters during campaign rallies amid low approval rates and calls from within for the president to resign from the party, which have impacted the PPP’s electoral prospects.
Then, Jeongmin examines the controversy surrounding Democratic Party candidate Kim Jun-hyeok, running for parliament in Gyeonggi Province’s Suwon D district. In Aug. 2022, Kim made controversial remarks on a YouTube channel about Kim Hwal-lan, the first president of Ewha Womans University, alleging her involvement in sending “comfort women” to Japan during wartime and forcing Ewha students to provide sexual favors to U.S. military officers during the U.S. military’s rule of the southern half of the Korean Peninsula from 1945 to 1948.
Finally, the team delves into the different video strategies that the three main political parties have adopted to rally their voters, even if all of them are centered around their party leaders to one degree or another.
About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on April 3, 2024.
Audio edited by Joe Smith -
In this special extended episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin and John are joined by special guest Jumin Lee, a Los Angeles-based attorney and Korea Pro contributor. The trio delves into three critical topics surrounding the upcoming South Korean general elections.
First, they examine the decrease in the number of female candidates running for office, a stark contrast to the increased female representation in the 2020 general election. They also discuss the ambiguous definition of a “youth politician” in South Korean politics.
Next, the conversation shifts to the deteriorating political culture in South Korea. The rise of the Rebuilding Korea Party, led by former justice minister Cho Kuk, showcases how a party with no political infrastructure can challenge mainstream parties. The hosts also address the conservative audience’s reaction to the stabbing of Lee Jae-myung at the start of the year and explore the factors contributing to the current state of South Korea’s political culture.
Finally, the discussion focuses on potential post-election legislation, including the potential revival of the anti-discrimination bill, Cho Kuk’s plans to reform the Prosecutors' Office, upcoming defense cost negotiations with the U.S., and the possibility of tax credits for large businesses.
About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on March 28, 2024.
Audio edited by Joe Smith -
On this week’s episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, we start by discussing the Seoul city bus drivers’ strike, which began just hours before our recording and ended just hours after we finished recording. The drivers demanded higher wages, and the strike marked the first in 12 years.
Next, we explore People Power Party interim leader Han Dong-hoon’s pledge to relocate the National Assembly from Seoul to Sejong City, the latest development in the government’s long-running “move-out-of-Seoul” campaign.
We then examine President Yoon Suk-yeol’s decision to temporarily halt his People’s Livelihood Debates until after the general elections to avoid accusations of election interference.
Next, we discuss South Korea’s ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup’s extended return to South Korea just days after being appointed to his post. He faces allegations of interfering with investigations into the death of a South Korean marine in July 2023. A day after we finished recording, Lee offered to resign to “strongly respond to [investigative] procedures.”
On the international front, we discuss the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which is expected to result in an upgrade to their mutual alliance. We consider the potential implications for South Korea, especially if Donald Trump is re-elected in Nov. 2024.
Finally, we cover the Korean Medical Association’s election of Lim Hyun-taek, a fierce critic of the Yoon administration’s decision to increase medical school admissions.
About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on March 28, 2024.
Audio edited by Joe Smith -
This week on The Korea Pro Podcast, we begin by examining the evolving relationship between President Yoon Suk-yeol and People Power Party interim leader Han Dong-hoon. Their alternating displays of political partnership and discord, particularly over the controversial nomination of former defense minister Lee Jong-sup as ambassador to Australia and a presidential aide’s inappropriate sense of humor, have created an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension in their alliance.
On the progressive front, we discuss how Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung appears to have been caught off guard by the sudden rise in popularity of former justice minister Cho Kuk, potentially complicating their alliance and respective presidential aspirations.
Next, we shift our focus to Youngdeungpo, a district in Seoul often compared to Brooklyn, which has unexpectedly become a battleground in the upcoming general elections. We analyze President Yoon’s ambitious but possibly unrealistic urban renewal proposal for the district and whether or not it might have an impact on the race.
About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on March 21, 2024.
Audio edited by Joe Smith -
This week on Korea Pro Podcast, we start by examining the case of a South Korean missionary charged with espionage in Russia and the potential fate that awaits him.
Next, we delve into the controversial nomination of a scandal-ridden former South Korean defense minister, Lee Jong-sup, currently under investigation for abuse of power, to serve as the country’s ambassador to Australia.
We then discuss South Korea’s role in hosting the upcoming Summit for Democracy and the potential reason the country was chosen to host the event despite democracy’s retreat in the country under the Yoon administration.
Shifting the focus to the upcoming general election, we explore the parties’ nomination processes and the official start of campaigning on March 28. We also shed light on some of South Korea’s more unusual campaign practices and problematic candidates, including a conservative who has expressed disdain for the country’s 1980s democratization movement, another conservative with no qualms about orgies and a progressive candidate who was snubbed despite primary voters’ support due to his status as a conscientious objector.
Finally, Jeongmin introduces her new analytical series: “Korea Insider” and “Election Watch.” This week, she profiles former justice minister Han Dong-hoon’s rise to political celebrity and analyzes the rise of former justice minister Cho Kuk’s new political party for her two series, respectively.
About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on March 14, 2024.
Audio edited by Joe Smith -
This week on Korea Pro, we kick off the discussion with President Yoon Suk-yeol’s controversial youth policy and its implications amid accusations of populism ahead of the parliamentary elections.
The conversation then shifts to the strategic implications of the U.S. and South Korea hastening their defense cost-sharing negotiations, a move influenced by the looming possibility of Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
We also unpack the recent decision allowing nurses to perform certain tasks like CPR amid the country’s ongoing doctors’ strike, highlighting the irony in Yoon’s past veto of a bill that would have clarified nurses’ roles.
Finally, we analyze the trend within South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party as it faces an exodus of high-profile lawmakers, shedding light on the potential ramifications for the party’s future and the upcoming general elections.
About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on March 7, 2024.
Audio edited by Joe Smith -
This week, the Korea Pro team tackles a range of pressing issues. We start by examining the ongoing doctors’ strike and New Futures Party leader Lee Nak-yon’s strategic move toward the political center.
The episode also sheds light on what appears to be behind-the-scenes efforts for a compromise between the South Korean government and the Korean Medical Association. We delve into Lee Nak-yon’s efforts to position himself as a political centrist, spanning both domestic and international policy arenas.
Further, we discuss the Democratic Party’s internal conflicts and their potential impact on the party’s performance in the upcoming general elections. Lastly, we preview President Yoon Suk-yeol’s anticipated March 1 address and its possible implications.
About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology.
Stay informed, stay ahead and never miss a beat on Korean affairs that matter. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on Feb. 28, 2024.
Audio edited by Joe Smith -
This week, the Korea Pro team delves into the disintegration of the New Reform Party, a previously promising political merger between key figures from the left and right, collapsing over leadership strife in just 11 days.
The episode then explores the repercussions of a nationwide doctors’ strike against government plans to increase medical student admissions, as well as a controversial incident at a recent graduation ceremony at KAIST, the “South Korean version of MIT,” where a progressive-party-affiliated student’s dissenting voice was forcibly silenced by presidential security staffers who gagged and dragged him out.
About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology.
Stay informed, stay ahead and never miss a beat on Korean affairs that matter. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on Feb. 21, 2024.
Audio edited by Joe Smith -
In this week's episode, the Korea Pro team examines a significant political merger led by former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok and former prime minister and Democratic Party member Lee Nak-yon, aimed at reshaping South Korea's political landscape by targeting centrists and swing voters, as well as those tired of divisive politics.
The conversation then shifts to South Koreans' views on marriage, childbirth and egg freezing amid the country's record-low birthrate. Joined by Korea Pro news trainees Lina Park and Joon Ha Park, host Jeongmin Kim delves into how economic challenges, evolving societal norms and personal ambitions are prompting a reevaluation of traditional family concepts and the exploration of new paths to parenthood.
About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee(@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology.
Stay informed, stay ahead and never miss a beat on Korean affairs that matter. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on Feb. 15, 2024.
Audio edited by Joe Smith -
In this week’s episode on the Korea Pro Podcast, the Korea Pro team discusses the implications of South Korea’s sale of medium-altitude surface-to-air missiles (M-SAM) to Saudi Arabia, such as the deepening relations between the two countries and the potential use of the interceptors in the region's conflicts.
South Korean authorities also discovered that Indonesian engineers involved in the KF-21 joint fighter jet program attempted to steal classified information, exposing South Korea's security breaches.
Audio edited by Joe Smith -
In this week's episode, the Korea Pro team delves into the political dynamics behind Lee Jun-seok’s pledge to mandate female military conscription for those seeking public civil service careers. This proposal, highly unfeasible and politically motivated, aims primarily at eroding Lee Jun-seok’s former party’s support base by wooing young male voters.
The discussion then turns to President Yoon Suk-yeol's decision to veto a bill passed by the opposition party for a “special investigation” into the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush disaster. Described by the administration as potentially “unconstitutional,” the bill sought to create a committee with extensive powers. The president’s critics pointed to the lack of accountability among high-level officials for the disaster.
The episode also addresses U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s comments on U.S. relations with South Korea and Japan, which he described as a “vision for the world,” which the Korea Pro team describes as fragile.
This week’s episode features the following members of the Korea Pro team:
Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim)
Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner)
About the podcast: The KOREA PRO Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Jeongmin Kim and John Lee, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring South Korean politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology.
Stay informed, stay ahead, and never miss a beat on Korean affairs that matter. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on Feb. 1, 2024.
Audio edited by Joe Smith -
This week, a scandal involving South Korea's first lady, Kim Kun-hee, who reportedly received a $2,200 Dior purse from a Korean-American pastor known for his views advocating engagement with North Korea, escalated into a major rift between President Yoon Suk-yeol and People Power Party interim leader Han Dong-hoon, one of Yoon’s closest confidants.
Reports that this political bromance has apparently ended because of a Dior purse have captured international media attention, making headlines in the Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine and others. The Korea Pro team dissects the complex cultural and political context behind the incident and its implications going forward.
Another significant topic this week is the looming possibility of Donald Trump’s return to the White House following his win in the New Hampshire Republican primaries, fortifying his status as the GOP frontrunner. The episode delves into news reports of the U.S. and the ROK governments agreeing to expedite their joint defense cost-sharing negotiations, underscoring Seoul’s silent anxiety about Trump’s potential return.
This week’s episode features the following members of the Korea Pro team:
Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim)
Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner)
About the podcast: The KOREA PRO Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Jeongmin Kim and John Lee, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring South Korean politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology.
Stay informed, stay ahead, and never miss a beat on Korean affairs that matter. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on Jan. 25, 2024.
Audio edited by Joe Smith and Lina Park -
South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense announced that it is considering its options in joining U.S.-led coalition strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, and some South Korean media outlets have expressed interesting opinions about Taiwan’s recent elections.
The Korea Pro team discusses why South Korea is thinking of joining the U.S.-led coalition strike against Houthi rebels and what South Korea’s participation might look like, Taiwan’s election results and why the Taiwanese ruling party’s victory — despite its pro-U.S. stance — unnerves some pro-U.S. South Koreans.
This week’s episode features the following members of the Korea Pro team:
Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim)
Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner)
About the podcast: The KOREA PRO Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Jeongmin Kim and John Lee, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring South Korean politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology.
Stay informed, stay ahead, and never miss a beat on Korean affairs that matter. Uploaded every Friday.
Audio edited by Lina Park -
This week's conversation addresses the challenges faced by South Korea’s film industry, amid globally shifting entertainment preferences. The Korea Pro team discusses the impact of digital streaming services and changing consumer habits on South Korea's movie industry, and how the entertainment industry could adapt to such changes.
The episode also discusses the aftermath of the assassination attempt on Lee Jae-myung, the opposition Democratic Party leader, especially focusing on the controversy surrounding the legal ambiguity in whether to disclose certain criminals’ identities and other personal information — such as suspects’ faces and their party affiliation.
This week’s episode features the following members of the Korea Pro team:
Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim)
Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner)
About the podcast: The KOREA PRO Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Jeongmin Kim and John Lee, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring South Korean politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology.
Stay informed, stay ahead, and never miss a beat on Korean affairs that matter. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on Jan. 11, 2024.
Audio edited by Lina Park -
Marking a tumultuous start of the new year in South Korean politics, the Korea Pro team discusses the assassination attempt against opposition leader Lee Jae-myung. A man surnamed Kim, who used an 8-inch blade and disguised himself as a supporter, admitted that he intended to kill Lee. President Yoon Suk-yeol issues a rare nonpartisan statement wishing Lee well and condemning acts of terrorism as the “enemy” of democracy.
The Korea Pro team explores the broader context of political violence in South Korea reflecting on the current state of political discourse in South Korea, where extreme rhetoric and polarization are becoming increasingly common.
This week’s episode features the following members of the Korea Pro team:
Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim)
Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner)
About the podcast: The KOREA PRO Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Jeongmin Kim and John Lee, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring South Korean politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology.
Stay informed, stay ahead, and never miss a beat on Korean affairs that matter. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on Jan. 4, 2024.
Audio edited by Lina Park -
Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok formally left the party after months bickering with his former party members who sought to take him down. His departure comes months ahead of the country’s April 2024 parliamentary elections as former justice minister Han Dong-hoon ascends to party leadership.
The Korea Pro team also discusses South Korea's recent decision to expand its export restrictions to Russia and Moscow’s warning of countermeasures such as economic retaliation amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
This week’s episode features the following members of the Korea Pro team:
Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim)
Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner)
About the podcast: The KOREA PRO Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Jeongmin Kim and John Lee, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring South Korean politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology.
Stay informed, stay ahead, and never miss a beat on Korean affairs that matter. Uploaded every Friday.
This episode was recorded on Dec. 28, 2023.
Audio edited by Lina Park - Visa fler
