The Korea File

Why does Gangnam, and so much of Korea, feel artificial and improvised? How are urban apartment complexes like undemocratic military bases? And will Seoul end up another megacity playground for tourists and the super rich like London, New York or Tokyo? Independent linguist Robert Fouser, a former Seoul National University Department of Korean Language professor and the author of the new Korean-language book ‘Exploring Cities' joins host Andre Goulet to explore all this and more on episode 87 of The Korea File podcast. This conversation was recorded on October 25th, 2019.

We're proud to present Singapore-based Shida Osman in conversation with TKF's Andre Goulet on 'The Podcast Show'.    TPS show notes describe the conversation as follows: “Consistency, would be the key to a successful podcast”,says Andre Goulet, podcast host of The Korea File. The conversation unveils why he chose Korea, what happened to the punk rock band that he played in, his love for Korea's architecture and why he chose Bulgogi, in the “This or That” game. Hear more of 'The Podcast Show' at https://soundcloud.com/thepodcastshowasia This conversation was recorded on September 12th, 2019.

Traditional Korean homes have become a victim of recent waves of gentrification in Ikseon-dong and Bukchon. But as these old residential neighbourhoods become a haven for hipsters, the unique cultural footprint of an important aspect of Seoul's history is being erased. On episode 86 of The Korea File, Ji-hoon Suk, a University of Michigan Ph.D. student in Asian History and a keen observer of cultural heritage in the metropolis, joins host Andre Goulet to explore the rich historic legacy of some prominent hanok affected by development. Plus: critiquing the city government's too-little-too-late policy on managing gentrification, debunking so-called "heritage garden" Seongnagwon, investigating the architectural secrets of Seoul's long-lost Cheongnyangni 588 red-light district and more. This episode was produced in collaboration with the Royal Asiatic Society- Korea Branch (RASKB). Find out about upcoming lectures and tours at www.raskb.com Music courtesy of Creative Commons. This conversation was recorded on August 25th, 2019.

Introducing Jeju Views, a biweekly snapshot of the global microcosm that is Jeju Island. Join host Ann Bush and guests in conversation as they discuss how to navigate the ever-evolving multicultural landscape of the South Korean island. On episode 1, performer Gaelan Whitney opens up about a recent production of the spoken word and comedy show 'Vajeju Nights' and how some Yemeni refugees in attendance may not have been expecting what they were in for.  CONTENT ADVISORY: This conversation explores sex and female genitalia and may not be suitable for all audiences. Special thanks to Pitx for Jeju Views' theme music 'Caipirinha'.

On episode 85 of The Korea File,‘Transactions' journal General Editor Jon Dunbar joins host Andre Goulet to discuss Urban Exploration and Bong Joon-ho's ‘The Host', the Seoul Queer Culture Festival and the American Embassy's rainbow Pride flag and the legacy and future of the Royal Asiatic Society-Korea Branch.  Plus: highlights from this year's edition of the journal including the North Korea/Guyana Friendship Association, Patrilineage and the Chaebols and the predictive power of Taemon Dreams. Subscribe to The Korea File on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts and support the show at patreon.com/thekoreafile

.....how engagement with radical anti-imperialist politics create the intellectual space to better understand the personal struggle of defining Korean identity as Korean-Americans in the United States….. .....how a trio of teenagers convinced an 89 year-old former Alaska Senator to make a presidential run….  ....and how an insurgent, largely social media-driven campaign is bringing a radically anti-colonial and anti-war message to the 2020 American election discourse....  On this episode, senior campaign staff Jonathan Suhr and Alex Chang join host Andre Goulet on a dual-cast of Korean history and current affairs show ‘The Korea File' and Canadian left politics podcast ‘Unpacking the News' to discuss the extraordinary anti-imperialist campaign of Gravel 2020.  Subscribe to Unpacking the News on iTunes and Spotify.  Associate Production from Savanna Craig. This conversation was recorded on May 16th, 2019.

The Royal Asiatic Society- Korea Branch has been enhancing an understanding of Korean arts, customs, history and social trends through lectures, cultural excursions and special publications since it's founding more than a century ago.  In that time, the RASKB and it's unusual cohort of members (including missionaries, diplomats and other expatriates) have witnessed every aspect of Korea's contemporary history, from occupation, colonization and fratricidal war to a modern era of democracy, development and international cultural influence.  On this episode of The Korea File RASKB vice-president Steven Shields joins host Andre Goulet to explore the fascinating history of one of the country's oldest institutions. Subscribe to The Korea File on iTunes and support the show at patreon.com/thekoreafile Find out more about upcoming RASKB lectures and events at raskb.com This conversation was recorded on April 21st, 2019.

Despite the high hopes many were feeling in the lead up to second Trump-Kim meeting, the Summit was probably dead before it even began late last month at the colonial-era Metropole Hotel in downtown Hanoi. But who puled the trigger? What was the poison pill? And where do the United States and North Korea need to go from here to guarantee a lasting peace?  On this episode host Andre Goulet is joined by speechwriter and former U.S. State Department diplomat Mintaro Oba, who last appeared on the show early last summer in the run-up to the Trump/Kim Singapore summit, to explore all this and more on episode 82 of The Korea File.  This conversation was recorded on March 26th, 2018. Find Mintaro's recent piece 'Why, If Diplomacy is to Succeed With North Korea, John Bolton Must Go' at https://www.nknews.org/2019/03/why-if-diplomacy-with-north-korea-is-to-succeed-john-bolton-must-go/ Become a monthly patron of the podcast at patreon.com/thekoreafile

In May 2015, on the 70th anniversary of Korea's national division, thirty international women peacemakers from around the world walked with thousands of North and South Korean women to call for an end to the Korean War, reunification of families and the inclusion of women's leadership in the peace process.  Christine Ahn, the founder of Women Cross the DMZ, Women De-Militarize the Zone, The Korea Policy Institute, The Global Campaign to Save Jeju Island, The Korea Peace Network and a co-organizer of the May, 2015 event joins host Andre Goulet to explore how she and others continue to work for peace on the peninsula in 2019. For more information read Christine's op-ed with Gloria Steinem at  https://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-ahn/gloria-steinem-north-korea-march_b_7018902.html?ec_carp=8996287911531269670 Find out more about organizing for peace in Korea at womencrossdmz.org and at wagingpeace.org This conversation was recorded on January 25th, 2019.

The American military is gradually leaving Yongsan, a major garrison located in the heart of Seoul.  But how are the dynamics of military spatial reorganization playing out beyond the metropolis?   In this conversation Bridget Martin of the University of California at Berkley joins host Andre Goulet to explore how South Korean landscapes are shaped by the country's unresolved conflict with North Korea. This conversation was recorded on December 11th, 2018. Look for Bridget's ‘Field Notes from South Korea: Local Development in the Land of Securitized Peace' at scholarworks.csun.edu

With a unique cultural and geographical history going back centuries, the ‘Joseonjok' are considered too different to be fully Chinese in China while simultaneously 'not good enough to fit in' in South Korea. In this conversation, writer Eddie Park joins host Andre Goulet to discuss his recent investigative reporting from the Korean Autonomous Prefecture in Yanbian, China. This interview was recorded on October 25th, 2018. Read Park's piece at KOREA EXPOSÉ: https://www.koreaexpose.com/too-different-to-be-chinese-not-good-enough-to-be-korean/

Amnesty International says that there are more than 230 conscientious objectors currently incarcerated in the country. But a Constitutional Court ruling this summer, a ruling that states that the government must provide alternative civilian roles for those who refuse to take up arms due to religious or political reasons, sends a clear message that conscientious objection to military service is a human right.  On this episode of ké cast, Korea Expose staff writer Jieun Choi joins host Andre Goulet to discuss this major shift in legal rights for Conscientious Objectors. This episode was recorded on October 3rd, 2018. If you like this show support it at patreon.com/thekoreafile  

South Korean society has long been intolerant of outsiders, but the outrage sparked this summer by a thousand Yemeni asylum seekers on Jeju Island illustrates the depth of the country's xenophobia.  On this episode of ké cast, Korea Exposé Publisher Se-Woong Koo joins host André Goulet to discuss why, despite its vaunted democracy and economy, compassion and humanitarian instincts are in short supply in South Korea. Read Se-Woong's piece 'Tyranny of South Korea's Majority Against Refugees' at https://www.koreaexpose.com/south-korea-xenophobia-shows-itself-yemen-refugees-situation/ For more ké cast, go to koreaexpose.com. This conversation was recorded on August 28th, 2018.

This is 'ké cast' Season 2, Episode 1. Produced in collaboration with Korea Exposé, and independent media organization that speaks to a global audience about the two Koreas in a way that goes beyond cliché and superficial analysis, look for this podcast at the beginning of each month through 2018.  On this episode, Korea Exposé managing editor Haeryun Kang joins 'The Korea File' host Andre Goulet to explore this summer's massive women-led protests against spycam and South Korea's pervasive culture of voyeurism and surveillance. Read Haeryun's piece 'My Life Isn't Your : Why South Korean Women Protest': https://www.koreaexpose.com/south-koreas-biggest-womens-protest-in-history-is-against-spycam-/  For more ké cast, go to koreaexpose.com. This conversation was recorded on June 26th, 2018.

Former U.S. diplomat, speechwriter, and commentator on U.S. foreign policy in Asia Mintaro Oba joins host Andre Goulet to discuss this month's on again off again US-North Korea meeting how the Moon administration's heroic heavy lifting has kept the summit on track. Plus: a risk-free template for how to be a North Korea pundit.  This conversation was recorded on June 1st, 2018. Music on this episode is from the album 'The Best of Yi Moon-sae'.

John Carl Baker, a fellow with Washington, DC think tank The Ploughshares Fund joins host Andre Goulet to talk about peace, nuclear proliferation and this historic week on the Korean peninsula.  This conversation was recorded on May 2nd, 2018. Music on this episode, 'But I Like You' is from Busan indie rock band Say Sue Me. Find their new album 'Where We Were Together' on Bandcamp. Mastered by Chris Hernandez at Studio Petite Palais in Montreal.

Jenny Town (Assistant Director of the US-Korea Institute at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies/Managing Editor at 38North.org) joins host Andre Goulet to discuss Washington's reaction to the surprise announcement of a Donald Trump/Kim Jong-un summit and- what can we expect from this month's upcoming inter-Korean talks.  How do the conditions surrounding the summit compare to the Roh Moo-hun/Kim Jong-il meeting of 2007?   Plus: John Bolton as White House National Security Adviser adds a dangerous element to peace-making efforts on the peninsula and- why is Seoul still without an American ambassador?    All this and more on episode 73 of The Korea File.  Music on this episode:  ???'s  '??? ??' (1987) This conversation was recorded on April 3rd, 2018 Mastered by Chris Hernandez at Studio Petit Palais in Montreal.

Steven Denney (Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto/Senior Editor at SinoNK.com) joins host Andre Goulet to discuss the diplomatic delegation's visit to Pyeongyang and how Korean nationalism and American obstructionism continue to clash in the wake of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games.  Plus: January's weird Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Security and Stability on the Korean Peninsula, organized by the Canadian government and the U.S. State Department, comes under observation. All this and more, on episode 72 of The Korea File.  Music on this episode: ‘???? ???' by?? (1979)

In this conversation with prominent blogger Ask A Korean, we unpack the spy-ops and psy-ops that have informed more than a decade of alt-Right agitation in South Korea.  Plus: a look into the anti-democratic overreach of the National Intelligence Service and a deep dive into the origins of Ilbe, Korea's nihilistic proto-Reddit web forum and 4chan and Breitbart predecessor. And, an analysis of the diminished status of South Korea's political right-wing today.  Also, three fundamental questions that establish first principles when talking about North Korea: May the North Korean state continue to exist? May the Kim Jong-un regime remain in power? And is war acceptable on the Korean peninsula? Ask A Korean's answer to all three questions is an emphatic ‘No'.  This conversation was recorded on January 28th, 2018. Music on this episode is ??? with '?? ???'. Help support and sustain this podcast at patreon.com/thekoreafile and receive access to exclusive interviews and bonus content!

As the Koreas begin high level diplomatic talks, host Andre Goulet is joined by photojournalist Jules Tomi for a wide-ranging conversation on the upcoming Pyeongchang Olympic Games and the confluence of factors, including chaotic American political leadership, that may be leading to an easing of tensions on the peninsula.  Plus: critiquing voyeuristic journalism, apocalyptic diplomacy by Twitter and debating the perilous potential of possible reunification. This conversation was recorded on January 4th. Music on this episode is Kim Gwan-suk's ‘Buchiji Anheun Pyunji #1 (Geudae Jal-gala)' Photo credit: Spencer Cameron w/ Getty Images  Support The Korea File podcast at patreon.com/thekoreafile

Academics have long examined the relationship between nation-states and their "internal others," like immigrants and ethnic or racial minorities.  Now, with her award-winning book ‘Contested Embrace: Transborder Membership Politics in Twentieth-Century Korea' Jaeeun Kim shifts this focus to look at how a state relates to people it sees as diasporic "external members". In this conversation, Kim shares some of the ideas behind her comparative, historical, and ethnographic study of the complex relationships between the states in the Korean peninsula, colonial-era Korean migrants to Japan and northeast China and their descendants, and the states in which they've lived over the course of the twentieth century. To see Jaeun Kim's full Nam Center lecture, look for ‘Contested Embrace: Transborder Membership Politics in Twentieth-Century Korea',on Youtube.  Subscribe to the Nam Center's Youtube channel at 'umichncks'. Become a financial supporter of this podcast at patreon.com/thekoreafile For more information on this lecture go to https://www.ii.umich.edu/ncks/news-events/events.detail.html/42278-9593311.html Mastered by Chris Hernandez at Villeray Studios.

The Nation magazine's resident Korea expert Tim Shorrock discusses American political instability, assesses the unthinkable cost of a new Korean civil war and examines the international community's role in resolving the nuclear crisis. Become a sustaining patron of this podcast at https://www.patreon.com/thekoreafile Music on this episode includes the national anthems of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

What does it mean to treat nationalism as a commodity?  In this conversation, Nam Center Postdoctoral Fellow Jiun Bang discusses the commodification surrounding the Dokdo/Takeshima dispute, and challenges some of the traditional assumptions behind our perceptions of nationalism.  And- a conversation on the strange linguistic character of the name Ehwa Womans University. Bang shares some little known facts about her alma mater. All this and more on episode 67 of The Korea File.  This episode was produced in collaboration with the University of Michigan's Nam Center for Korean Studies.  Music on this episode: John Lopker's 'My Dear Dokdo' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTSMNaFB8Rkand also  Kim Kyung-min's 'Dokdo, dokdo, dokdo' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT3NcD5162s

Since 2009, the Singapore-based non-profit has facilitated training workshops for everyday North Koreans in Economics, Entrepreneurship and Urban Planning in metropolitan Pyongyang and elsewhere around the country. In this conversation, Chosun Exchange Associate Director of Research Dr. Andray Abrahamian discusses how the introduction of some aspects of a free market economy under the Kim Jong-eun regime is changing the way North Koreans look at capitalism. We'll also talk about the prospects for further change in North Korean society and discuss how initiatives like Chosun Exchange could impact how the United States, South Korea and other countries approach North Korea policy.  Also: how can political leadership in the United States and the Koreas move past saber-rattling and militaristic rhetoric? How will South Korean policy towards the North change in the post-Park Geun-hye era? And what's it like to fly Air Koryo? Music on this episode is 'Great Comrade Kim Jong-eun, We Know Nobody But You' from KCTV State Television: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLbWjwIwKrI This episode was produced in collaboration with the University of Michigan's Nam Center for Korean Studies.  To see Andray Abrahamian's full Nam Center Undergraduate Fellows lecture, look for “Social Changes You See When Working in North Korea” on Youtube. Subscribe to Nam Center lecture series at 'umichncks'.

How effective is political polling today? With social trends pointing to a continuing decrease in the rate of democratic participation, in South Korea and elsewhere around the world, how can polls remain representative? In our conversation prior to his recent lecture at the University of Michigan, UC Berkley Professor Taeku Lee discusses how the political science of public polling, until recently a primarily American area of study, has gained academic traction in South Korea over the last decade.  This episode was produced in collaboration with the Nam Center for Korean Studies. Subscribe to the Nam Center's Youtube channel at umichncks. Music on this episode is 7080 star ??? with ???.

Joshua Van Lieu is a historian of 20th century East Asian politics and international relations and an authority on the histories of Joseon Korea and Late Imperial China.  In this conversation, Van Lieu discusses the diplomatic intrigue of the Qing-Korea relationship and explains how the pageantry of tributary practice successfully manipulated Western preconceptions of the “unknowable orient”.  This episode was produced in collaboration with the University of Michigan's Nam Center for Korean Studies.  To see Joshua Van Lieu's full lecture, find “The Act was Oriental between Orientals: The Persistence of Late Victorian Translations of the Twilight of Qing-Chosun Tributary Practice” on Youtube.

The Koreas remain officially at war, a situation unchanged since 1953 when the Armistice Agreement, signed by China, North Korea and the United States, brought an end to active hostilities on the peninsula.  But the Armistice was not a peace settlement and tensions along the DMZ, the 38th parallel, have continued ever since. This long stalemate between the divided Koreas has prevented most kinds of social, cultural and political exchanges, with some exceptions.  In the conclusion to our two-part conversastion, I. Jonathan Kief, a Korea Foundation post-doctoral fellow at the University of Michigan's Nam Center for Korean Studies, continues to explore the unconventional perspective on the relationship between writers in North and South Korea, in both the real and imagined ways in which literature of the post-war period managed to cross the 38th parallel in the post-war era.  This episode was produced in collaboration with the University of Michigan's Nam Center for Korean Studies.

In his research I. Jonathan Kief, a Korea Foundation post-doctoral fellow at the University of Michigan's Nam Center for Korean Studies, explores an unconventional perspective on the relationship between writers in North and South Korea. Here, in the first of a two-part conversation, he discusses the real as well as imagined ways in which literature of the post-war period managed to cross the 38th parallel and attempts to outline a more complicated and nuanced understanding of what division literature has meant in Korea over the years. This episode was produced in collaboration with the University of Michigan's Nam Center for Korean Studies. To find our more on Kief's research or to view other lectures from the Nam Center Colloquium series , visit https://www.youtube.com/user/umichncks/featured

In her recent book, ‘The Capitalist Unconscious: From Korean Unification to Transnational Korea', professor of sociology Hyun-ok Park, of Toronto's York University, demonstrates that the unseen currents of capitalism, rather than territorial integration or family union, are driving a movement towards peninsular integration and a united Korea. In this conversation, prior to her recent lecture at the University of Michigan's Nam Center for Korean Studies, she discusses how migrant labor, identity politics, social activism and media spectacle are each playing a part in the gradual trend towards unification and why she sees the capitalist integration of the peninsula and its diaspora as a new democratic moment for the Korean people. Music on this episode: Park In-Hee - ??? (1976) For more information on the University of Michigan's Nam Center for Korean Studies go to https://www.ii.umich.edu/ncks

At a recent lecture at the University of Michigan's Nam Center for Korean Studies, Pepperdine University sociologist Rebecca Kim spoke on the phenomena of South Korean evangelical missionaries proselytizing in the United States.  Exploring the relationship between the two countries since World War 2, her talk addresses how Korean missionaries with the University Bible Fellowship attempted to evangelize the college-educated and why the UFB's outreach efforts focused racially only on white Americans.  To see Kim's talk in full, go to https://www.youtube.com/user/umichncks Music on this episode is from 70s Christian singer ???. This conversation was recorded in March, 2016. It's the first in a series of episodes in collaboration with the University of Michigan's Nam Center for Korean Studies.

In part three of a conversation with conscientious objector, pacifist and 1950s aid worker Joe Smucker, he discusses the paranoia and chaos that he witnessed in a country in the grip of a post-colonial and post-war reality.  Plus, more on the Mennonites and their relationship with South Korea.   Also: an e-mail from a listener whose grandparents participated in educational and agricultural efforts in Daejon during the post-war period.   Music on this episode is from ??? with her 1960s trot classic '?????'. Photo credit: Morning Calm Weekly News on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/imcomkorea/3198333337

Pacifist and conscientious objector Joe Smucker left for Korea by freighter in 1956 to help with the country's post-war reconstruction. His three years on the peninsula participating in relief work efforts were life-changing.  In part two of our conversation, Smucker reveals how the Mennonite Central Committee's reconstruction efforts and work with orphans in the 1950's led to the founding of an Anabaptist church on the peninsula 40 years later. He also reflects on the post-colonial social and structural chaos he witnessed in the post-war wreckage of a divided Korea. Music on this episode is Lee Soo Mi 1950's release '??? ?? ? ?'. Refugee image from http://www.umcmission.org/learn-about-us/news-and-stories/2015/january/75thanniversary5060s

A pacifist and conscientious objector, Joe Smucker left for Korea by freighter in 1956 to help with the country's post-war reconstruction. His three years on the peninsula participating in relief work efforts with the Mennonite Central Committee would change his life forever. In the first of a two-part interview, Smucker discusses the origins of the MCC, a relief organization similar to today's Oxfam or Doctors Without Borders, their efforts to help cope with the post-war refugee crisis in Daegu and the sorry state of South Korea`s civil government in the post-war era. Music on this episode is from ??? with a live performance of his song `???? ??'

Corporate stereotyping, the cult power of Chaebol leadership and the structural differences before and after the 1997 IMF financial crisis. This is part three of a conversation with Michael Prentice, a PhD Candidate in the University of Michigan's Department of Anthropology, on South Korea's hugely influential Chaebol.  Our fundraising campaign is live at https://www.patreon.com/thekoreafile?ty=h  Every dollar you pledge supports independent journalism and helps keep this podcast on the air! Prentice interned for a year at a Seoul-area company, conducting semi-covert academic research on the country's unique corporate culture. On this episode, he discusses Korean corporate security protocol and the complex relationship between Chaebol development and the narrative structure of Korean history. He also explains how he obtained his position as an undercover anthropologist.  Music on this episode is 1972's '???? ??' with Ji-Hyun on vocals and the legendary Shin Jung-hyun on guitar.  

This is part two of a conversation with Michael Prentice, a PhD Candidate in the University of Michigan's Department of Anthropology, on South Korea's hugely influential Chaebol.  Our fundraising campaign is now live at  https://www.patreon.com/thekoreafile?ty=h      Every dollar you pledge supports independent journalism and helps keep this podcast on the air! Prentice interned for a year at a Seoul-area company, conducting semi-covert academic research on the country's unique corporate culture. On this episode, he discusses Korean corporate security protocol and the complex relationship between Chaebol development and the narrative structure of Korean history. He also explains how he obtained his position as an undercover anthropologist.  Music on this episode is from Shin Jung Hyun & The Donkeys feat. Lee Jung Hwa with their 1969 single 'My Hearts': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c0fjMVhwPM The episode image is of Heather 'Nut Rage' Cho, a vice president of Korean Air and daughter of the airline's chairman. http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/english/oped/opinions/8557-nepotism-south-korea-otherwise-egalitarian-korean-work-culture-nepotisms#sthash.B73TW3S8.dpuf    

University of Michigan PhD Candidate Michael Prentice interned for a year at a Seoul-area corporation, conducting semi-covert academic research on the unique corporate culture of South Korea. Here, Prentice discusses the semantics, politics and evolution of the word ‘Chaebol', the origins of post-Korean War corporate and economic development in the country as well as society's fascination and obsession with the behaviour and excesses of its ruling oligarchy. This is the first of a 3-part conversation. Music on this episode is from??? ‘s 1987 single ‘??'. Photo: New Samsung HQ in San Jose, CA Credit: http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2015/09/25/take-a-tour-of-the-new-samsung.html  

Born in Seoul and raised in the United States, Rachel Lee's first Gyeongju excavation was also her first visit to her country of origin.  Join us for a conversation about the differences between household and mortuary archaeology, a critique of popular misconceptions regarding the swashbuckling Indiana Jones-style archaeologist and a description of a typical archaeological research trip in Korea. This is the second of a two-part interview.  Music on this episode: ???'s 1978 single '????' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzCSfb58wNA

Join us for a discussion with archaeologist Rachel Lee concerning her work on ‘Household Archaeology' excavations near Jinju in South Gyeongsang province and a conversation about the wider arc of her research concerning Korea's pre-historic Mumun period.  Music on this episode is Bae In-suk's 1979 single '???? ?????'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-muMHVUOSM

Matt VanVolkenburg is an MA student at the University of Seattle in Washington and the long-time host of the prolific blog 'Gusts of Popular Feeling', which recently celebrated it's 10th year of analysis on Korean society, history, urban space, film and current events.  In this conversation, he recounts the story of how Japanese military successes in Singapore and Malaysia in 1942 led to the capture of an estimated 135,000 Allied soldiers, many of whom were imprisoned in colonial Seoul.  This conversation was recorded in Hongdae in May, 2015. Music on this episode: Kim Choo-ja and Shin Jung-hyun's '????' (1969)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VrbHeGtOvc

Jenna Gibson is the Director of Communications at the Korea Economic Institute in Washington DC, a think tank working to promote dialogue and understanding on economic, political and security relations between South Korea and the United States.   Gibson also hosts and produces the KEI's Korean Kontext podcast, a weekly selection of interviews focusing on the experts, artists and opinion makers that shape the US-Korea policy world.   Here, Gibson talks about her own background with South Korea, the passion for journalism that she brings to her work as well as the goals she has for the podcast moving forward.   This is part two of our conversation. Music on this episode, ???(Shin Joong Hyun) and ???(Lee JeongHwa)'s "??" (1970) can be found here:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G49vx9xMVJs

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

The Jeju Peace Forum was founded in 2001 with the goal of contributing to world peace and international cooperation in the East Asian sphere through multilateral dialogue and community building.  The 2003 edition of the conference included President Roh Muu-hyun's official apology to Jeju Island for the 4.3 massacre and the 2007 Jeju Declaration envisioned a regional peacekeeping diplomatic role for South Korea based on the Helsinki Process.  In 2008, with the election of the hardline right-wing Lee Myung-bak government, the foreign affairs ministry changed the name of the conference to The Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity and shifted focus away from co-operative agreements, bringing in big name speakers on themes unrelated to the peace process.   A glance at the list of events, workshops and speakers from the 10th Forum held last May, full of washed-up politicians and discredited neoliberal economic themes, suggests a conference in search of an identity.   Darren Southcott, editor-in-chief of The Jeju Weekly magazine, joins The Korea File to discuss whether or not the Forum has stayed true to it's roots as a regional peace initiative.