The Korea File

Founded in 1982, The Korea Economic Institute's aims to promote dialogue and understanding on economic, political and security relations between South Korea and the U.S. 

But how does this play out in the organization's day-to-day operations? 

In this episode, we join Director of Communications and host of the Korean Kontext podcast Jenna Gibson in Washington, D.C. for a look inside the KEI.

For more on the KEI, go to http://www.keia.org/

For episodes of the Korean Kontext podcast, go to http://keia.podbean.com/

Music on this episode, 'Neutuenmyeon Kunilayo', is from Korea's first rock band, Kwon Soon-Keun and the Add-4s (1964).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIug9wIZf14&index=5&list=PL-d7juCwk5luyaXc4GrEMtTw2tjlY9ZMF

On this episode, UCLA PhD candidate in Asian Languages and Cultures Tommy Tran talks about his research concerning Japan’s Korean diaspora, with a focus on Osaka’s 80,000 residents with roots on Jeju Island. 

Join us as we discuss dialect code-switching, Halla Mountain botany and shamanic deity worship in a metropolis of 19,000,000 people. This is the 2nd of a two part conversation.

Music on this episode: Hwan Keum-sim's 1989 performance of 'Aldeulhan Dangsin' ( ??? - ??? ?? )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D329zrb_P-0

Photo Credit: https://traveldreamscapes.wordpress.com/2014/08/20/japan-osaka-tsuruhashi-koreatown/

On this episode of The Korea File podcast, a conversation with UCLA PhD candidate in Asian Languages and Cultures Tommy Tran about his research on Japan’s Korean diaspora, including: 

1) the colonial-era origins of Jeju migration to Osaka, 

2) the role of terror and violence in migration trends during the Korean Civil War and Jeju’s 4.3 Massacre and

3) the Osaka diaspora’s sense of identity as pre-division Koreans. 

This is the first of a two-part episode.

Music on this episode: Hwan Keum-sim's 'Cholibdong'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4AAbH-eR_c

Park picnics in the Democratic People’s Republic. The Kim Dynasty: cult or religion? And: Rules for Communist Clam Cooking. 

On this episode of The Korea File writer and journalist Jon Dunbar describes the experience of vacationing and travelling in one of the most insular countries in the world.

Music on this episode: 'My Country is the Best!'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-kuOwUAHIQ

On this week`s episode of The Korea File, it`s Seoul`s most renown expat indie band! 

With international recognition and crossover success in the Korean mainstream this is Used Cassettes, live at Haebongchoen`s Thunderhorse Tavern.  From the band bio at Magic Strawberry Sound: 

``Used Cassettes was formed as a drunken pact between some friends in a dingy basement in South Korea. Three years later the band come to the forefront of the Seoul indie music scene. 

Currently, Used Cassettes are back in the studio recording their first full-length album and continue to gig regularly in Seoul, where they have gained a strong following and a reputation for wild and energetic performances.``

See more of Used Cassettes` music on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35Yge3ucx0o or hear them on Soundcloud at https://soundcloud.com/used-cassettes   

For future episodes of The Korea File, check out our new home athttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/thekoreafile

In 2004, an agreement was reached between the United States and South Korean governments to relocate the United States Forces Korea from the heart of Seoul to Camp Humphreys, outside the mid-sized city of Pyeongtaek, and to a second major garrison outside of Daegu 

The process, scheduled to be completed next year, will consolidate more than 28,000 troops into two regional hubs and will transform Camp Humphreys into the largest U.S. Army garrison in Asia.

As the population of the garisson increases from 12,000 Soldiers, Family Members and contractors to 37,000 in 2016, the city of Pyeongtaek, in co-operation with the central South Korean government, have developed ambitious plans. 

These include a major Samsung semiconductor chip plant, the world’s largest fuel cell power plant, an expanded maritime port, a free economic zone as well as tens of thousands of new housing developments. 

UC Berkley’s Bridget Martin is researching the links between Militarism and Urbanization in South Korea. In the second of our two-part conversation, she talks about the intensity of South Korean urban redevelopment, the goals behind USFK base consolidation and restructuring and the historical relationship between American military bases and South Korean society.

Music on this episode is the Pearl Sister's 'Love House' (????? ??? ??)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AAvLhCeUwc

In 2004, an agreement was reached between the United States and South Korean governments to move all U.S. forces in the country south of the Han River. This move will relocate the United States Forces Korea from the heart of Seoul to Camp Humphreys, outside the mid-sized city of Pyeongtaek, and to a second major garrison outside of Daegu. 

The process, scheduled to be completed next year, will consolidate more than 28,000 troops into two regional hubs and will transform Camp Humphreys into the largest U.S. Army garrison in Asia.

As the population of the garisson increases from 5,000 Soldiers and 7000 civilians, family members and contractors to more than 37,000 by 2016, civic authorities for the city of Pyeongtaek have developed ambitious plans for the expanding city including a major Samsung semiconductor chip plant, the world’s largest fuel cell power plant, an expanded maritime port, a free economic zone and tens of thousands of new housing developments. 

Bridget K. Martin, a PhD student in Geography at UC Berkley, is researching the links between Militarism and Urbanization in South Korea. 

In the first of a two-part interview she explains how American imperialism and Korean development, heavily connected since the end of the Korean War, are continuing to work together in new and surprising ways. 

Music on this episode: ????-??https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66fPqqAtyEw

After more than 3000 days of action, what's the state of the anti-naval base protest in Gangjeong Village?

I speak with Sunny, an activist with the Catholic Workers Movement, about the morale and momentum of the movement moving forward. Plus, live music from Gangjeong's Peace Market held last June outside the base construction site.

For more information on the anti-base protests, go to savejejunow.org

Jeju Weekly editor-in-chief Darren Southcott turns the mic around in a conversation with me about podcasting in Korea.

The Korea File will be on hiatus until mid September, with a new episode out on September 16th.

This episode's music: 

San U-lim's 'It Was Probably Late Summer' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-6jssOe5Uo

Seoul's lo-fi basement punk pop pioneers Nice Legs, live at The Factory in Jeju City, 6/13/2015

Find more Nice Legs here: https://wearenicelegs.bandcamp.com/releases