In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, co-hosts Jeongmin and John delve into South Korea’s economic challenges as it finds itself caught between the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan’s divergent monetary policies. They discuss the potential impact on the South Korean won and the Bank of Korea’s dilemma in balancing concerns about inflation and stimulating growth, amid contrasting data points such as increased exports in July and a contraction in GDP in the second quarter.



The conversation then shifts to the recent agreement between the U.S., South Korea and Japan to institutionalize their trilateral cooperation, with a commitment to maintaining peace in the Korean Peninsula, the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. Jeongmin and John explore the implications of this declaration and the South Korean defense ministry’s reluctance to provide further details.



Next, the hosts discuss Japan’s Sado Gold Mine being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and South Korea’s decision to end its opposition, citing Tokyo’s commitment to acknowledge the history of forced Korean labor at the site.



Finally, Jeongmin and John preview the week ahead, including South Korea’s appointment of a new ambassador to Australia and the Yoon administration’s review of structural changes that will reintroduce the first lady’s office.



About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), 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 Aug. 1, 2024 



Audio edited by Joe Smith