KOREA PRO Podcast

Mar 06 2025 71 ep. 19 mins 63

KOREA PRO Podcast artwork

A weekly conversation about the most important news in politics, business, economy and society shaping South Korea right now. A quick, smart and to the point briefing hosted by KOREA PRO’s Jeongmin Kim and John Lee.

Copy RSS

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

Tariff battles, botched military drill and South Korea’s inflation woes — Ep. 64

Mar 06 2025 16 mins

In this episode, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha break down the latest developments shaping South Korea’s economy, defense, and diplomacy. First, they discuss U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest trade salvo, where he falsely claimed that South Korea imposes tariffs on U.S. goods four times higher than vice versa. With Seoul issuing a strongly worded response, John discusses the RO

Yoon’s final defense and China’s warning to South Korea — Ep. 63

Feb 27 2025 21 mins

In this episode, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha break down the latest twists in South Korea’s political and diplomatic landscape. First, they analyze President Yoon Suk-yeol’s final defense in his impeachment trial, where he justified his martial law declaration as a “communication tool” to alert the public about national crises. The team examines whether this argument holds w

Han Duck-soo’s testimony and South Korea’s diplomatic reckoning — Ep. 62

Feb 20 2025 26 mins

In this episode, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha break down two major developments shaking South Korea’s political and diplomatic landscape. First, they analyze former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s Thursday testimony in President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment trial, where he contradicted Yoon’s claims that the Dec. 3 martial law declaration was meant to last only a few hours. Han

Trump’s tariffs, Seoul’s diplomatic catch-up and Yoon’s trial — Ep. 61

Feb 13 2025 18 mins

In this episode, John and Joon Ha discuss former U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, which — unlike in 2018 — do not exempt South Korea in exchange for import quotas. The duo analyzes potential ripple effects on South Korea’s steel industry and the broader economy, particularly if Trump follows through on additional tariffs targeting semi

Yoon’s trial, China’s trade retaliation and U.S.-ROK diplomacy — Ep. 60

Feb 06 2025 15 mins

In this episode, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha discuss South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s ongoing martial law trial, where military commanders have given conflicting testimonies about whether Yoon ordered troops to detain opposition lawmakers and close the National Assembly. The team also breaks down the Constitutional Court’s ruling against Acting President Choi Sang-mok’s

Trump’s return, South Korea’s fiscal debate, and Yoon’s legal troubles — Ep. 59

Jan 23 2025 18 mins

In this episode, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha discuss three key developments impacting South Korea’s political and economic landscape. First, Donald Trump has officially taken office as the 47th President of the United States. While South Korea was not mentioned in his inaugural address or his executive orders, his remarks about a potential review of the USMCA may hint at how his

Special episode: Rethinking Korea beyond the Washington consensus — Ep. 58

Jan 21 2025 46 mins

This special episode of The Korea Pro Podcast features a live recording from our latest Seoul Circuit event, held on Jan. 16, 2025. Unlike our usual 15-minute studio podcasts, this 45-minute discussion was moderated by Jeongmin, Korea Pro’s editorial director, over dinner and drinks. The event’s speakers included Chad O’Carroll, CEO of Korea Risk Group, and Mason Richey, pr

Yoon’s arrest, Trump’s inauguration and South Korea’s dilemmas — Ep. 57

Jan 16 2025 20 mins

In this episode, Jeongmin and John analyze the arrest of President Yoon Suk-yeol, just 43 days after he declared martial law. They discuss the reported refusal of Presidential Security Service agents to follow orders to protect Yoon from arrest, the arrest of the PSS Acting Chief and Acting President Choi Sang-mok’s role in signaling a potential stand-down. The discussion then t

Trump’s Inauguration, nuclear deals and South Korea’s legal battles — Ep. 56

Jan 09 2025 14 mins

In this episode, the Korea Pro team dives into the currency fluctuations affecting South Korea’s economy and discusses the implications of the recently signed memorandum of understanding on nuclear energy exports. They also analyze the potential reintroduction of the special counsel investigation into Yoon’s martial law declaration and its implications for South Korea’s legal

Institutional rot and crisis: South Korea’s leadership vacuum — Ep. 55

Jan 02 2025 20 mins

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha analyze a turbulent week in South Korean politics. They begin with the appointment of Acting President Choi Sang-mok following Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s impeachment last Friday, the plane crash at Muan International Airport over the weekend and Choi’s polarizing decisions to appoint only two Constitutional