KOREA PRO Podcast

On this week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, John and Joon Ha discuss the sharp decline in South Korea’s stock market, with the KOSPI plunging nearly 8% on Thursday amid concerns about the sustainability of the AI boom, weaker-than-expected earnings from Samsung Electronics and growing competition from Chinese memory chipmakers. 

They then turn to former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Seoul, examining her remarks on U.S. alliances, South Korean shipbuilding and economic cooperation. 

The episode also examines the prison sentence handed to former Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Sun-woo over a local election nomination bribery scandal, as well as broader concerns about South Korea’s vetting process for senior government officials. 

Finally, they look ahead to South Korea’s upcoming Hoguk military exercises, including joint field training drills postponed from Ulchi Freedom Shield, before discussing the Bank of Korea’s Oct. 22 interest rate decision and upcoming parliamentary audits of the armed forces.

About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday.

This episode was recorded on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026.

Audio edited by Alannah Hill

On this week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha discuss the successful fifth launch of South Korea’s Nuri rocket, which placed five primary Earth observation satellites into orbit, as well as the growing role of private companies such as Hanwha Aerospace and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in the country’s space program. 

They then turn to a cyber breach affecting Shinhan Bank and other financial institutions, examining how attackers allegedly used an AI-assisted security tool to identify vulnerabilities and why the incident has raised broader concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in cyberattacks against the financial sector. 

The episode also examines the deepening diplomatic tensions between Seoul and Kyiv over two North Korean prisoners of war, as well as reports that fuel loaded in South Korean waters was later delivered to Russia aboard sanctioned vessels. 

Finally, they discuss Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit to Seoul and prospects for expanded cooperation in shipbuilding, trade and maritime security, before turning to South Korea’s sweeping prosecution reform and the challenges facing the new Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, police and prosecution service as the country adjusts to the new system. 

About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday.

This episode was recorded on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Audio edited by Alannah Hill

Editor’s note: Shortly after this episode was recorded on Thursday, Oct. 8, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it would recall its ambassador to Ukraine amid the ongoing diplomatic dispute over Kyiv’s disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul. The announcement came approximately five minutes after recording concluded and is therefore not discussed in the episode.

On this week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, John and Joon Ha discuss the Sept. 21 DMZ mine blast that injured three South Korean soldiers, including two seriously, and the discovery of a North Korean anti-personnel mine south of the Military Demarcation Line. 

They then turn to the Lee administration’s appointment of Song Young-gil as a special adviser on Korean Peninsula peace and former four-star general Kim Byung-joo as a special adviser on defense. 

The episode also examines the latest dispute over South Korean investment in the U.S., after President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick presented the Alaska LNG project as effectively agreed while Seoul’s own documents said it remained under review. 

Finally, they discuss the controversy surrounding the historical thriller The Assassin(s), which has drawn criticism from the People Power Party and the Yuk Young-soo Memorial Foundation over its fictionalized treatment of the 1974 assassination of South Korea’s first lady. 

About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday.

This episode was recorded on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026.

Audio edited by Alannah Hill

On this week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha discuss President Lee Jae Myung’s trip to New York for the U.N. General Assembly, where he outlined a three-part vision for “peaceful coexistence” with North Korea and held a 30-minute meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. 

They then turn to South Korea’s difficult investment negotiations with Washington, including proposals involving a Texas gas power plant, Westinghouse and the Alaska LNG pipeline. 

The episode also examines Lee’s upcoming visit to Mexico, where trade, energy, aerospace and defense cooperation are expected to feature prominently, as well as South Korea’s response to instability in the Middle East and rising oil prices. 

Finally, they look at Boston Dynamics’ deployment of humanoid robots at manufacturing facilities in Georgia and what greater automation could mean for entry-level industrial jobs. 

About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday.

This episode was recorded on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026.

Audio edited by Alannah Hill

On this week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, John and Joon Ha discuss South Korea’s consideration of a possible military deployment to the Strait of Hormuz. They examine Seoul’s fact-finding mission to the Middle East, the military assets reportedly under consideration and the political dilemma facing President Lee Jae Myung as Washington presses allies for greater involvement while Iran warns of repercussions.

They then turn to Lee’s summit with French President Emmanuel Macron and agreements spanning artificial intelligence, semiconductors and nuclear energy. 

The episode also examines the end of a 95-day protest blockade at Seoul’s Olympic Park, where police deployed more than 1,800 officers to allow sports federation officials back into their offices ahead of the Asian Games. 

Finally, they preview next week’s confirmation hearings for justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won and defense minister nominee Kang Shin-chul, as well as look ahead to the Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, which are set to begin on Sept. 19 despite recent flooding.

About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday.

This episode was recorded on Thursday, September 10, 2026.

Audio edited by Alannah Hill

On this week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, John is joined by Alannah Hill to discuss President Lee Jae Myung’s nomination of retired General Kang Shin-chul as South Korea’s next defense minister. They examine Kang’s experience managing the U.S.-ROK alliance, his support for the government’s military academy reforms and OPCON transfer, as well as the scrutiny he is likely to face over the military’s failed response to North Korean drone incursions in 2022.

They then turn to controversy over Basic Income Party lawmaker Yong Hye-in’s nomination as gender equality minister and delve into the legal gray area, political conventions surrounding lawmakers serving in the Cabinet and why critics on both the right and left have objected to the arrangement.

The episode also looks at a proposal to extend formal school hours for South Korean first and second graders from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Supporters see the plan as a way to ease childcare pressures on working parents, while teachers argue it would shift a broader social problem onto schools without providing the extra staff, funding and curriculum changes required. 

About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday.

This episode was recorded on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Audio edited by Alannah Hill

On this week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, John and Joon Ha discuss South Korea’s troubled push to build up its drone capabilities after two low-cost loitering munition prototypes crashed within seconds during a Navy demonstration for journalists. They examine what the failed test says about procurement, coordination between defense agencies and the difficulty of developing an indigenous drone industry that can compete on both price and scale.

They then turn to mounting scrutiny of South Korea’s police ahead of major prosecutorial reforms set to take effect on Oct. 2. Recent cases involving mishandled murder and missing-person investigations have raised fresh questions about whether the police are prepared to assume greater investigative authority, and whether the government is building adequate checks and balances into the new system.

The episode also looks at controversy surrounding the Gwangju Biennale after organizers initially stopped referring to a planned Taiwan Pavilion by that name following reported complaints from the “Chinese side.” They discuss what the episode reveals about self-censorship, China’s influence and the tension between Gwangju’s democratic symbolism and the foundation’s handling of the dispute.

About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday.

This episode was recorded on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

Audio edited by Alannah Hill

On this week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha discuss President Donald Trump’s surprise decision to substantially reduce the Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise, forcing South Korea and the U.S. to cut the drills from 11 days to five after preparations were already underway.

They break down what the abrupt change means for alliance readiness and plans to transfer wartime operational control to Seoul, including how reduced training could disrupt assessments of South Korea’s ability to lead future combined operations and complicate the allies’ broader defense timeline.

The episode also looks at Trump’s reasoning for the move, from his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to his criticism of South Korea over the war in Iran, as well as President Lee Jae Myung’s effort to frame the reduced drills as an opportunity to lower tensions and reopen diplomacy with Pyongyang.

About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday.

This episode was recorded on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

Audio edited by Alannah Hill

This week, Jeongmin and John discuss South Korea’s latest employment figures, which show the overall employment rate reaching 70.3% even as young Koreans lost another 191,000 jobs. They examine how growth in health and social welfare jobs is masking continued weakness in sectors such as manufacturing and construction.

The team also looks at a Democratic Party lawmaker’s proposal to convert decommissioned buses into housing for young people, why the idea quickly drew ridicule and criticism and what the controversy says about the country’s broader housing challenges.

Later, they discuss the backlash facing actress Ahn Ha Young after internet users discovered that her great-great-grandfather was a pro-Japanese collaborator, raising questions about inherited privilege and whether people should be expected to apologize for the actions of distant ancestors.

The episode also examines a proposed law targeting AI-generated sexually explicit material, including content depicting entirely fictional people. Jeongmin and John break down the difficulty of defining victims, the proposed criminal penalties for creating or possessing such material and the broader legal and ethical questions surrounding AI-generated content.

About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday.

This episode was recorded on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

Audio edited by Alannah Hill

This week, Jeongmin and John discuss proposals to overhaul South Korea’s college entrance exam by replacing more multiple-choice questions with written responses and potentially using artificial intelligence to grade them. 

The team also looks at South Korea’s deadly heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in some regions and thousands seeking treatment for heat-related illnesses.

Later, they discuss controversy over the National Assembly speaker’s suggestion that public opinion could determine whether a constitutional amendment might allow President Lee Jae Myung to seek another term, despite constitutional language barring such changes from benefiting the incumbent. 

The episode also covers a student group’s protest at Osan Air Base over U.S. concerns about plans for a data center at Gwangju Air Base — roughly 200 kilometers away.

About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday.

This episode was recorded on Thursday, August 6, 2026.

Audio edited by Alannah Hill