KOREA PRO Podcast

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, John and Joon Ha assess South Korea’s strategic leap in space technology after the successful early-morning launch of the Nuri rocket, exploring the implications for sovereign satellite capability, dual-use defense competitiveness and regional positioning against Japan’s H3 program. The hosts analyze Poland’s decision to choose Sweden’s Saab over Hanwha Ocean for the Orka submarine project, examining what the loss signals for South Korea’s ambitions to move up the defense-export value chain from land systems to complex naval platforms. They break down the Bank of Korea’s decision to hold the base rate at 2.5% while upgrading the growth outlook, focusing on currency volatility, household-sector fragility and constrained policy space as markets price geopolitical risk into 2026. The episode also reviews President Lee Jae-myung’s performance in Turkey, separating symbolic diplomacy from measurable outcomes and assessing whether outreach to Ankara reflects a broader multipolar strategy. The episode concludes with a look ahead to next week’s protest marking one year since former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s failed martial law declaration, where Korea Pro’s Joon Ha Park and Lina Park will report from the National Assembly. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, John and Joon Ha unpack the sweeping implications of the U.S.-ROK joint fact sheet released after the Security Consultative Meeting — including Seoul’s $33 billion commitment to support U.S. Forces Korea, $25 billion in U.S. weapons purchases and the formalization of approval for South Korean nuclear-powered attack submarines. The hosts analyze Washington’s evolving hierarchy of access for advanced AI chips after the U.S. approved Nvidia Blackwell exports to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, raising long-term competitive and compliance pressures for South Korea despite short-term stability. They then examine the annulment of the Lone Star arbitration ruling, exploring why South Korea’s celebrated legal win does not resolve deeper risks tied to regulatory uncertainty and future investor-state disputes. The episode concludes with a look ahead to President Lee Jae-myung’s trip to the G20 in Johannesburg and Turkey, as well as next week’s Nuriho 4 launch at Goheung. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin and Joon Ha examine Seoul's defense industry push with Ottawa, as Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries signed deals with Canadian firms related to next-generation submarine project, amid Seoul’s ongoing pursuit to become the world's fourth-largest defense exporter by 2030. The hosts then analyze President Lee Jae-myung’s directive to abolish criminal prosecution for fact-based defamation, a 1953 law criticized by U.N. and other human rights agencies — while unpacking the Democratic Party’s controversial “Fake News Eradication Act” that critics warn could create new chilling effects on speech. Later, the team breaks down Seoul’s new 2035 carbon emissions target of 53-61% reduction from 2018 baselines, which sparked immediate pushback from major business associations citing competitiveness risks. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin and Joon Ha unpack the political and market fallout from Donald Trump’s remarks on restricting Nvidia’s most-advanced chips for U.S. use, and what it means for Seoul’s 260,000-GPU Blackwell deal with Hyundai, Samsung, SK and Naver — including implications for autonomous driving and the KOSPI’s sharp response. The hosts then turn to South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine ambitions, after Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back publicly pushed for domestic construction over a U.S. shipyard, highlighting technical, industrial and political friction points.  Later, the team breaks down Seoul’s successful launch of its fourth and fifth military reconnaissance satellite, completing Project 425 and advancing independent reconnaissance for kill-chain readiness, while unpacking remaining gaps for the goal of transferring wartime operational control discussed from this week’s top U.S.-ROK military meetings.  Looking ahead, Jeongmin and Joon Ha preview budget season turbulence, presidential office audits, ongoing trials against the previous administration stakeholders regarding the Dec. 2024 martial law and the Bank of Korea’s expected rate-cut decision. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson.

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin and Joon Ha return to Seoul after covering APEC in Gyeongju, where President Lee Jae-myung and Donald Trump finalized a U.S.-ROK tariff deal following months-long negotiations. The team explains new details on the $350 billion investment package, tariff reductions and how the agreement was received at home. They then unpack Lee’s request for U.S. approval of nuclear-powered submarines — Seoul’s proposal to Trump during the summit. The hosts also examine expert views on related challenges and defense implications, as well as reactions from China’s foreign ministry and the South Korean public. Next, they discuss Lee’s summits with Xi Jinping and Japan’s Sanae Takaichi, and detail Nvidia's pledge to supply over 260,000 of its advanced AI chips to the ROK government and conglomerates after CEO Jensen Huang’s meetings with Samsung and Hyundai leaders. The episode closes with an explanation of Pete Hegseth’s visit to Seoul and Lee’s upcoming budget address at the National Assembly. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha break down how South Korea is tightening monetary and strategic discipline ahead of next week’s high-stakes APEC meetings. They begin with the Bank of Korea’s decision to keep interest rates at 2.5% — a move to anchor the won and curb housing risks while signaling fiscal restraint before President Donald Trump’s visit and final trade talks with Washington. Next, they turn to Seoul’s expanding defense diplomacy at ADEX 2025, including Estonia’s move toward the K239 Chunmoo and Poland’s submarine project, and the launch of the KSS-III Batch-II submarine that underscores Seoul’s maturing deterrence posture. The team then examines Foreign Minister Cho Hyun’s push to revise the U.S.-ROK 123 Agreement, granting Seoul more flexibility in nuclear-fuel processing and deepening its quest for energy sovereignty. Finally, they preview the APEC week in Gyeongju — from Trump’s one-night stop and Xi Jinping’s industrial diplomacy to the APEC CEO Summit where Nvidia’s Jensen Huang joins Korea’s chaebol leaders — as Seoul braces for a defining moment in global diplomacy. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. Audio edited by Lina Park

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha examine how South Korea is being pulled deeper into the U.S.-China confrontation just as it prepares to host both Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at the Gyeongju APEC summit. They begin with Beijing’s unprecedented sanctions on five U.S.-linked Hanwha Ocean affiliates — a signal that China’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law is now targeting South Korean firms for cooperating with Washington. Next, they turn to Seoul’s crisis diplomacy in Cambodia and Samsung Electronics’ record-breaking third-quarter profit, discussing how the company’s AI-driven recovery exposes the limits of South Korea’s industrial autonomy under U.S. export rules and Chinese controls. Finally, the team looks ahead to next week’s key events — the Seoul ADEX defense expo, parliamentary audits of the military, judiciary and environmental agencies, and the anticipated state visits by Trump and Xi that could redefine Seoul’s room for maneuver in a divided world. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha examine how global policy shifts are closing South Korea’s room for neutrality. They begin with China’s Orders 61 and 62, sweeping export-control measures that extend Beijing’s authority to overseas manufacturers and leave South Korean firms trapped between competing U.S. and Chinese trade laws. Next, they turn to Japan, where Sanae Takaichi’s victory in the Liberal Democratic Party leadership race sets the stage for her likely confirmation as prime minister on Oct. 15, testing the stability of Seoul-Tokyo relations just as cooperation had solidified. Finally, the team analyzes Europe’s proposed steel quota cuts and 50% tariffs, which mirror Washington’s protectionism and squeeze Korean mills out of major Western markets amid China’s export glut. They close by previewing next week’s developments — Japan’s prime ministerial election and the resumption of South Korea’s parliamentary audits following the Chuseok holidays. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha dissect a week dominated by U.S. volatility and South Korea’s response. They start with Washington’s first government shutdown since 2019, examining its implications for trade negotiations, U.S. Forces Korea operations and the Bank of Korea’s policy outlook. The team then unpacks the Trump administration’s proposed semiconductor-content tariffs, a measure that could upend Seoul’s $350 billion investment-for-tariff deal and strike at the heart of South Korea’s export economy. They also discuss the U.S. decision to clear Seoul of currency manipulation, and why it offers only fleeting relief. Turning to domestic policy, the hosts analyze President Lee Jae-myung’s new “self-reliant defense” doctrine and the ruling party’s abolition of the breach of trust crime, a landmark shift in corporate law. They close with the government data hub fire that has paralyzed ministries weeks before the APEC summit, exposing vulnerabilities in South Korea’s digital infrastructure. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha break down a consequential week for South Korea’s diplomacy and markets. They start with President Lee Jae-myung’s high-profile trip to the United Nations, where he unveiled his END (Exchange, Normalization, Denuclearization) peace plan, presided over a Security Council debate on AI and held talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish President Karol Nawrocki and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The team then examines Foreign Minister Cho Hyun’s trilateral meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, and Lee’s own sharp remarks about “submissive attitudes” toward the U.S. alliance. Finally, they turn to the domestic economy: the IMF’s downbeat growth forecast and the government’s proposed crackdown on opaque share buybacks, which signal a broader effort to tighten corporate governance and reassure foreign investors. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha unpack a fast-moving week for South Korea’s economy and diplomacy. They begin with the U.S. Federal Reserve’s quarter-point rate cut — the first since Dec. 2024 — and analyze how the move could influence the Bank of Korea’s next steps, capital flows and the won. The team then dissects the Trump administration’s warning that South Korea will face higher tariffs unless it accepts the same trade terms as Japan, noting Seoul officials’ unusually blunt remarks that the U.S. is no longer the free-trade partner it once was. They also explore Mexico’s plan to impose 50% tariffs on vehicles from countries without a free-trade agreement, a policy that could squeeze South Korean automakers and limit Seoul’s trade flexibility. Next, Jeongmin and Joon Ha turn to President Lee Jae-myung’s newly announced 123 key policy tasks, outlining the administration’s broad domestic and economic agenda. In particular, they look at Seoul’s security and foreign policy agenda, including the administration’s ambition to complete OPCON transfer and reorganize the Marine Corps into a fourth quasi branch of the ROK Armed Forces.They discuss how these priorities are likely to shape both near-term governance and South Korea’s longer-term growth strategy. Finally, the hosts look ahead to upcoming developments on Lee’s expected keynote address at the United Nations on Sept. 23and other key events shaping the weeks ahead. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha examine a turbulent stretch for U.S.-ROK relations and President Lee Jae-myung 100-day-old administration. They start with the dramatic ICE raid on Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution’s battery-plant project in Georgia, where more than 300 South Korean engineers were detained before a chartered flight carried them home. The team traces the raid’s origins, the swift diplomatic response from Seoul and the broader questions it raises about U.S. visa policy and the investment climate for Korean firms. Next, they break down Lee Jae-myung’s 100-day press conference, highlighting his criticism of the U.S. raid, his call for national unity and his policy priorities on economic recovery and renewable energy. The hosts assess how Lee’s direct style and focus on communication are shaping perceptions at home and abroad. Finally, they look ahead to Freedom Edge trilateral military drills between the U.S., South Korea and Japan, and to the intensifying race within Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party to replace Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, John and Lina examine a turbulent week for South Korea’s trade, defense and domestic agenda. They discuss how a U.S. appeals court ruling against Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs threatens to upend Washington’s negotiations with trade partners, including Seoul. They also weigh South Korea’s official decision to join the CPTPP, considering the domestic backlash it faces from farmers and the politically sensitive issue of lifting Japanese seafood restrictions. The hosts then turn to defense and foreign policy, noting President Lee Jae-myung’s absence from China’s military parade while National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik shook hands with Kim Jong Un, and previewing Lee’s upcoming UNGA speech that will highlight AI and global security rather than North Korea. Finally, they look ahead to Lee’s first 100-day press conference under the banner of “recovery and growth for the future.” About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha break down the first summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. They analyze how a last-minute social media post from Trump nearly derailed the talks, why Lee relied on flattery to keep the meeting cordial and how the U.S. president’s land-ownership remark highlighted the volatility now embedded in the alliance. The hosts also examine South Korea’s record $150 billion in new investment pledges, including landmark deals in aviation, energy, shipbuilding and critical minerals. They discuss how these commitments secure tariff relief but deepen Seoul’s exposure to Trump’s transactional trade framework. Finally, they consider how partisan disinformation networks in both countries are shaping alliance management, and what the summit reveals about the risks of diplomacy under an unpredictable U.S. president. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, John and Joon Ha dissect revelations about the hidden clause in Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) and Korea Electric Power Corporation’s (KEPCO) settlement with Westinghouse Electric, which critics argue binds South Korea’s nuclear exports under U.S. control for the next half-century. They examine the political fallout in Seoul and why President Lee Jae-myung is unlikely to raise the matter in his upcoming talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. The hosts also preview Lee’s Aug. 23 summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, noting the rare symmetry between their recent Aug. 15 speeches, which balanced historical acknowledgment with forward-looking cooperation. Finally, they turn to Lee’s Aug. 25 summit with Trump, weighing the risks of an unpredictable U.S. president revisiting tariffs and trade concessions, and recap the week ahead, including the People Power Party leadership race and the Seoul Circuit event on ROK-Japan relations. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha examine the decision to postpone key Ulchi Freedom Shield drills to September due to South Korea’s summer heatwave. They also discuss USFK commander General Xavier Brunson’s recent remarks on the potential for a rushed transfer of operational wartime control (OPCON) and Seoul’s ambitious plan to achieve that transition within President Lee Jae-myung’s term.  The hosts also break down Lee’s newly announced five-year blueprint, outlining 123 national policy tasks built around constitutional reform, balanced economic growth and strengthened diplomatic security. They look at the political and economic stakes of the plan, as well as the nomination of Lee Chan-jin to head the Financial Supervisory Service. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin and John dive into President Lee Jae-myung’s escalating confrontation with major firms after a series of deadly workplace accidents, with POSCO and SPC under fresh scrutiny. They examine what the government’s shift toward aggressive administrative penalties means for business. The hosts also break down why inflation remains volatile despite a steady consumer price index and why South Korea’s export outlook is darkening amid U.S. tariffs. They then turn to the upcoming Ulchi Freedom Shield drills — including the decision to postpone half of the planned field exercises — and preview next week’s ROK-Vietnam summit and President Lee’s Aug. 15 Liberation Day address. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin and John unpack the Lee administration’s $350 billion pledge to the U.S. — a last-minute concession that averted a sweeping 25% tariff on South Korean exports to the U.S. The hosts examine how the agreement, announced just before the Aug. 1 deadline, includes $100 billion in U.S. energy purchases and $150 billion for shipbuilding cooperation, but remains largely informal and unenforceable. Jeongmin and John also explore structural risks to South Korea’s energy and shipbuilding pledges, including limited U.S. capacity, Jones Act restrictions and permitting delays. They compare the deal to Japan and the EU’s earlier arrangements, which involved similar headline figures. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, July 31, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

At Korea Pro’s July Seoul Circuit dinner, leading China scholar John Delury joined Jeongmin Kim, Executive Director of Korea Risk Group, for a timely conversation on China’s strategic outlook under South Korea’s new president, Lee Jae-myung. The discussion explored Beijing’s past playbook for dealing with Seoul, how U.S. and European allies view South Korea amid shifting global alignments, and how a second Trump administration could reshape the region’s security dynamics. In this episode, we share the moderated portion of the event. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, John Lee and Joon Ha unpack a week of sharp developments in South Korea’s domestic and foreign policy landscape. They begin with the last-minute postponement of the U.S.-ROK 2+2 economic and security dialogue. With the Aug. 1 deadline for trade negotiations looming, the hosts assess whether the delay signals tactical pressure from Washington as Seoul resists opening its rice and beef markets — and what alternatives, like LNG imports or defense purchases, may be on the table. Next, they turn to the collapse of two cabinet nominations. Gender minister nominee Kang Sun-woo withdrew after backlash over her remarks on sexual consent and staff treatment, while education minister nominee Lee Jin-sook was dropped due to plagiarism accusations. The hosts explore what these withdrawals mean for the administration’s reform agenda and internal vetting process. Also featured is Korea Pro’s latest investigation into the Korea Foundation. John introduces Chad O’Carroll’s expose on how the government-linked nonprofit directed $9.4 million to U.S. think tanks without registering under U.S. foreign agent laws. Joon Ha also promotes his own new analysis on President Lee Jae-myung’s plan to centralize oversight of defense exports, aimed at improving coordination and boosting South Korea’s competitiveness in key arms contracts. Key developments to watch in the week ahead include the expected rescheduling of the postponed 2+2 tariff talks, with both sides aiming to meet before the Aug. 1 deadline. Sunday marks the anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, likely to bring official statements and memorial events. Meanwhile, confirmation reports for the unification, veterans, and defense ministers are still pending at the National Assembly, though the president is expected to act swiftly once they are adopted. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson