Korean Kontext

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 8 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

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

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