Podcasts about Korean Peninsula

Former Australian diplomat Jane Hardy joins this episode to discuss how Australia has engaged with North Korea over the past few decades, and what that experience reveals about diplomacy, deterrence and nuclear risk today.  Hardy, who spent over 30 years in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, shares insights from her work on Korean Peninsula issues during the Sunshine Policy era, including Australia's brief normalization with Pyongyang and her own visit to North Korea in 2001.  Jane Hardy is a former senior Australian diplomat who has served in seven long-term overseas missions, four at ambassador level. She also held numerous senior executive positions at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canberra, during her 33-year career. Jane is now a senior fellow at the U.S. Studies Center, Sydney University advising the Women in the Alliance program.  About the podcast: The North Korea News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Jacco Zwetsloot exclusively for NK News, covering all things DPRK — from news to extended interviews with leading experts and analysts in the field, along with insight from our very own journalists. NK News subscribers can listen to this and other exclusive episodes from their preferred podcast player by accessing the private podcast feed. For more detailed instructions, please see the step-by-step guide at nknews.org/private-feed.

This week's episode opens with the news of the sudden death of Russia's ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora, who died at 70 on Saturday following decades of diplomatic service on the Korean Peninsula. NK News founder Chad O'Carroll then discusses his recent appearance at a high-profile press conference with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, where his question about long-detained South Korean citizens in North Korea unexpectedly became a national story.  Finally, O'Carroll reflects on his trip to the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada. He describes conversations with Western officials, Ukrainians, and journalists, expressing frustration at what he sees as a persistent lack of understanding or urgency around North Korea's role in supplying Russia during the war in Ukraine.  About the podcast: The North Korea News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Jacco Zwetsloot exclusively for NK News, covering all things DPRK — from news to extended interviews with leading experts and analysts in the field, along with insights from our very own journalists.

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

Today's guest is Jean Lee, one of the world's foremost experts on North Korea and a journalist whose reporting has reshaped how we understand one of the most secretive countries on earth.Jean co-hosted the BBC World Service's acclaimed podcast The Lazarus Heist, the gripping true-crime investigation into the billion-dollar cyberattacks tied to North Korea — from the Sony Pictures hack to global financial crime rings and crypto-gangsters.She led The Associated Press coverage of the Korean Peninsula as bureau chief from 2008 to 2013, and in 2012 became the first American reporter to join Pyongyang's foreign press corps, opening AP's Pyongyang bureau. Over the years, she has made dozens of extended reporting trips into North Korea, visiting farms, factories, schools, military academies, and private homes — gaining rare access and insight into daily life inside the country.

December 4, 2025 - Join us for a discussion with Dr. Ji-Young Lee for an examination of the circumstances and methods of Chinese military intervention in the Korean Peninsula. Dr. Lee is Associate Professor of International Relations at American University's School of International Service, and author of China's Hegemony: Four Hundred Years of East Asian Domination (2016) and an upcoming work under contract titled: The Great Power Next Door, a historically informed analysis of when and how China has chosen to militarily intervene in the Korean Peninsula. Dr. Lee's 2020 article, "The Geopolitics of South Korea–China Relations," speaks to the contemporary dimension of the evolving relationship. The moderator of the program is policy director Jonathan Corrado. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/2088-korea-china-relations-a-history-of-intervention

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

The latest news from home and abroad, with a close eye on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula in particular

South Korea stands at the crossroads of global power - caught between China, the United States, Japan, and its unpredictable neighbor to the north. Jacob Shapiro and Professor Jeffrey Robertson unpack how a nation long described as “the shrimp among whales” has learned to navigate the world's toughest geopolitical waters. From shifting alliances and nuclear restraint to the economic promise of unification, this episode reveals how Korea's pragmatism may shape the future of Asia.--Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(01:45) - Professor Jeff Robinson(02:08) - Jeff's Background and Experience in South Korea(02:55) - South Korea's Rapid Changes and Current Events(04:54) - US-South Korea Relations and Historical Context(12:43) - South Korea's Domestic Politics and Policy(16:51) - South Korea-Japan Relations(19:59) - South Korea's Perception of China(24:05) - South Korea's Stance on Taiwan and Nuclear Deterrent(25:48) - Nuclear Deterrence on the Korean Peninsula(27:40) - North Korea's Current Status and International Relations(29:10) - Prospects of Korean Peninsula Unification(37:57) - South Korea's Economic and Demographic Challenges(41:56) - Australia-South Korea Relations(48:27) - Impact of US-South Korea Relations on Education and Future Prospects(50:42) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts--Referenced in the Show:Jeffrey Robinson's Website: https://junotane.com/--Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.comJacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShapJacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe --The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com --Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today's volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.--This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Proliferation Risks from US Surplus Plutonium Sales Guest: Henry Sokolski Henry Sokolski critiques the Department of Energy's plan to sell 20 tons of surplus weapons-grade plutonium to American firms for use in new reactor designs. He warns that promoting plutonium fuel exports substantially raises international proliferation risks by bringing nations substantially closer to nuclear weapons capability. Sokolski notes that South Korea is actively seeking permission to recycle plutonium domestically, a development that increases nuclear uncertainty across the Korean Peninsula and challenges the global nonproliferation regime. 1955

SHOW 10-28-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1920 FORDS THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT AI AND JOBLESSNESS. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Market Relief, AI Layoffs, and Political Turmoil Guest: Elizabeth Peek Elizabeth Peek analyzes market relief following the temporary US-China trade truce, noting that President Trump effectively uses American consumer spending and tariff policy as a powerful geopolitical weapon. However, she expresses serious alarm over AI-driven mass layoffs across major corporations, including Amazon, coupled with a notable absence of substantive political debate addressing workforce displacement. Peek warns that the rise of an inexperienced, anti-capitalist mayoral candidate threatens New York City's economic prosperity and competitiveness in an increasingly challenging urban landscape. 915-930 Market Relief, AI Layoffs, and Political Turmoil Guest: Elizabeth Peek Elizabeth Peek analyzes market relief following the temporary US-China trade truce, noting that President Trump effectively uses American consumer spending and tariff policy as a powerful geopolitical weapon. However, she expresses serious alarm over AI-driven mass layoffs across major corporations, including Amazon, coupled with a notable absence of substantive political debate addressing workforce displacement. Peek warns that the rise of an inexperienced, anti-capitalist mayoral candidate threatens New York City's economic prosperity and competitiveness in an increasingly challenging urban landscape. 930-945 Gaza Conflict Persists and Iran's Nuclear Threat Revived Guest: Jonathan Schanzer Jonathan Schanzer confirms the Gaza conflict continues unabated, with Israel responding to ongoing Hamas attacks while Hamas deliberately slow-rolls hostage returns to maintain negotiating leverage. Hamas's fighting force is now commanded by inexperienced officers and young combatants operating in shrinking territory with diminishing resources. Schanzer also addresses alarming reports that Iran is rebuilding a suspect nuclear enrichment site, underscoring that maintaining peace requires constant vigilance and sustained pressure against malevolent actors determined to destabilize the region. 945-1000 Gaza Conflict Persists and Iran's Nuclear Threat Revived Guest: Jonathan Schanzer Jonathan Schanzer confirms the Gaza conflict continues unabated, with Israel responding to ongoing Hamas attacks while Hamas deliberately slow-rolls hostage returns to maintain negotiating leverage. Hamas's fighting force is now commanded by inexperienced officers and young combatants operating in shrinking territory with diminishing resources. Schanzer also addresses alarming reports that Iran is rebuilding a suspect nuclear enrichment site, underscoring that maintaining peace requires constant vigilance and sustained pressure against malevolent actors determined to destabilize the region. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Tariffs as a Consumer Tax and the Inflationary Impact Guest: Professor John Cochrane Professor John Cochrane explains that tariffs effectively function as a tax on American consumers and create a temporary bump in inflation throughout the economy. Retailers are currently absorbing substantial cost increases but will likely pass these expenses on to consumers after the Christmas holiday season. Cochrane notes the Federal Reserve faces a challenging policy dilemma: tariffs increase prices, yet there is mounting political pressure to lower interest rates. He characterizes tariffs as a potentially costly geopolitical weapon with uncertain strategic benefits. 1015-1030 Tariffs as a Consumer Tax and the Inflationary Impact Guest: Professor John Cochrane Professor John Cochrane explains that tariffs effectively function as a tax on American consumers and create a temporary bump in inflation throughout the economy. Retailers are currently absorbing substantial cost increases but will likely pass these expenses on to consumers after the Christmas holiday season. Cochrane notes the Federal Reserve faces a challenging policy dilemma: tariffs increase prices, yet there is mounting political pressure to lower interest rates. He characterizes tariffs as a potentially costly geopolitical weapon with uncertain strategic benefits. 1030-1045 UK "Chinese Spy" Case Collapses and Trump's Trade Deal Outcomes Guest: Joseph Sternberg Joseph Sternberg discusses the collapse of the United Kingdom's high-profile Chinese espionage case involving Chris Cash and Chris Barry, highlighting the injustice of a media-driven trial despite allegations never being proven in court. The alleged intelligence supposedly passed was largely parliamentary rumors of minimal significance. Sternberg expresses disappointment with President Trump's temporary trade concessions from China, characterizing the outcome as underwhelming and questioning whether the deal achieves meaningful geopolitical objectives. 1045-1100 UK "Chinese Spy" Case Collapses and Trump's Trade Deal Outcomes Guest: Joseph Sternberg Joseph Sternberg discusses the collapse of the United Kingdom's high-profile Chinese espionage case involving Chris Cash and Chris Barry, highlighting the injustice of a media-driven trial despite allegations never being proven in court. The alleged intelligence supposedly passed was largely parliamentary rumors of minimal significance. Sternberg expresses disappointment with President Trump's temporary trade concessions from China, characterizing the outcome as underwhelming and questioning whether the deal achieves meaningful geopolitical objectives.THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 China's Weakness and Global Geopolitical Shifts Guest: Gregory Copley Gregory Copley assesses the strategic implications of President Trump's Asia trip amid China's accelerating economic and political collapse. He notes Xi Jinping's apparent loss of consolidated power and the disarray within the People's Liberation Army command structure. Copley discusses emerging US and allied rare earth supply agreements designed to counter Chinese leverage in critical materials markets. He also highlights Turkey's continuing role in prolonging the Gaza conflict and analyzes the broader shift toward conservative, market-oriented governance across Latin America. 1115-1130 China's Weakness and Global Geopolitical Shifts Guest: Gregory Copley Gregory Copley assesses the strategic implications of President Trump's Asia trip amid China's accelerating economic and political collapse. He notes Xi Jinping's apparent loss of consolidated power and the disarray within the People's Liberation Army command structure. Copley discusses emerging US and allied rare earth supply agreements designed to counter Chinese leverage in critical materials markets. He also highlights Turkey's continuing role in prolonging the Gaza conflict and analyzes the broader shift toward conservative, market-oriented governance across Latin America. 1130-1145 China's Weakness and Global Geopolitical Shifts Guest: Gregory Copley Gregory Copley assesses the strategic implications of President Trump's Asia trip amid China's accelerating economic and political collapse. He notes Xi Jinping's apparent loss of consolidated power and the disarray within the People's Liberation Army command structure. Copley discusses emerging US and allied rare earth supply agreements designed to counter Chinese leverage in critical materials markets. He also highlights Turkey's continuing role in prolonging the Gaza conflict and analyzes the broader shift toward conservative, market-oriented governance across Latin America. 1145-1200 China's Weakness and Global Geopolitical Shifts Guest: Gregory Copley Gregory Copley assesses the strategic implications of President Trump's Asia trip amid China's accelerating economic and political collapse. He notes Xi Jinping's apparent loss of consolidated power and the disarray within the People's Liberation Army command structure. Copley discusses emerging US and allied rare earth supply agreements designed to counter Chinese leverage in critical materials markets. He also highlights Turkey's continuing role in prolonging the Gaza conflict and analyzes the broader shift toward conservative, market-oriented governance across Latin America. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Proliferation Risks from US Surplus Plutonium Sales Guest: Henry Sokolski Henry Sokolski critiques the Department of Energy's plan to sell 20 tons of surplus weapons-grade plutonium to American firms for use in new reactor designs. He warns that promoting plutonium fuel exports substantially raises international proliferation risks by bringing nations substantially closer to nuclear weapons capability. Sokolski notes that South Korea is actively seeking permission to recycle plutonium domestically, a development that increases nuclear uncertainty across the Korean Peninsula and challenges the global nonproliferation regime. 1215-1230 Google's Quantum Leap and the Advancing AI Frontier Guest: Brandon Weichert Brandon Weichert discusses Google's Willow quantum chip, which has achieved verifiable quantum advantage, surpassing supercomputers by a factor of 13,000. This breakthrough contrasts sharply with Microsoft's contested Majorana chip, which remains unproven. Weichert notes the rapid evolution of AI systems, including Grok and ChatGPT, each advancing in sophistication at an accelerating pace. He emphasizes that the future demands pairing artificial intelligence with quantum technology to unlock transformative computational capabilities beyond current limitations. 1230-1245 Strengthening the US-Japan Alliance and Rare Earth Supply Guest: Grant Newsham Grant Newsham analyzes the successful meeting between President Trump and Japan's newly appointed Prime Minister, Takayuki Sai. The two leaders agreed on rare earth supply cooperation, crucial for countering Chinese economic leverage and maintaining technological independence. Sai is focused on substantially increasing Japan's defense spending and addressing military recruitment shortfalls to strengthen regional capability. The United States values Japan's defensive posture as a critical bulwark against the People's Republic of China, making this alliance essential for Indo-Pacific stability. 1245-100 AM Strengthening the US-Japan Alliance and Rare Earth Supply Guest: Grant Newsham Grant Newsham analyzes the successful meeting between President Trump and Japan's newly appointed Prime Minister, Takayuki Sai. The two leaders agreed on rare earth supply cooperation, crucial for countering Chinese economic leverage and maintaining technological independence. Sai is focused on substantially increasing Japan's defense spending and addressing military recruitment shortfalls to strengthen regional capability. The United States values Japan's defensive posture as a critical bulwark against the People's Republic of China, making this alliance essential for Indo-Pacific stability.