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