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The Impossible State

CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies

164 episodes

North Korea is the Impossible State. Each episode, join the people who know the most about North Korea for an insiders’ discussion with host Victor Cha about one of the United States’ top national security priorities.

Episodes page 1 of 4

  1. Bridge to Beijing? Kim Jong-un Crosses the Yalu

    · 27 min

    Dr. Victor Cha and Mr. Sydney Seiler discussed the significance of Kim Jong-un’s surprise weekend visit to Dandong, China, via the New Yalu River Bridge, exploring why Kim chose to visit China at this time and what the…

  2. Missile Madness: Prelude to Summit?

    · 37 min

    Dr. Victor Cha, Mr. Ankit Panda, and Ms. Jenny Town discussed North Korea’s recent missile launches, focusing on what the tests reveal about North Korea's military capabilities and the strategy behind the accelerated…

  3. Brewing Korea Crisis? Mines, Missiles, & POWs

    · 36 min

    Dr. Victor Cha, Mr. Wonchul Kim, and Ms. Jeehye Yoo discussed President Lee’s North Korea initiative, recent tensions involving the DMZ and North Korean POWs, and the broader outlook for inter-Korean relations.

  4. Lips and Teeth? China, North Korea, and the Korean Peninsula

    · 42 min

    Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Bonny Lin, and Mr. Sydney Seiler discussed recent developments in China–North Korea relations and the broader implications of the Trump–Xi summit for regional security and geopolitics in Northeast…

  5. Poisoning the Well: U.S.-Korea Trade Tension

    · 47 min

    Dr. Victor Cha, Adam Farrar, Eunjoong Kim, and Wonchul Kim discussed the recent U.S. House Judiciary Committee report on discriminatory practices, expiration of Section 122 tariffs, and the Korean investment deals.

  6. What is North Korea learning from Russia's war in Ukraine?

    · 50 min

    Dr. Victor Cha, Ms. Kate Bondar, and Mr. Bruce Klingner discussed how the Ukraine war is reshaping warfare, what North Korea may learn from Russia, and the implications for Korean Peninsula security.

  7. How Should the United States Counter the CRINK Axis?

    · 47 min

    Dr. Victor Cha, Igor Khrestin, Joseph Kim, and Dr. Maria Snegovaya joined host Will Todman to discuss CRINK’s key vulnerabilities and examine U.S. policy recommendations for addressing the challenges the grouping poses…

  8. The CRINK Challenge: Implications for North Korea and Global Security

    · 47 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Edward Howell, and Mr. Sydney Seiler discussed North Korea's relationships with the CRINK countries and examine Beijing’s priorities heading into an imminent Xi-Kim summit.

  9. Cold Peace: Engaging DPRK to Reduce Risk and Threat

    · 46 min

    In this episode, Mr. Sydney Seiler moderated a discussion with Ambassador Joseph Yun and Mr. Adam Farrar to examine the new frameworks proposed in Dr. Victor Cha’s recent Foreign Affairs article, “North Korea as It Is:…

  10. Privileged But Powerless

    · 35 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha and Dr. Jieun Baek discussed her new book, Privileged but Powerless: How North Korean Elite Grievances Reveal the Regime’s Greatest Weakness, and examined how grievances among North…

  11. Korean Messiah

    · 38 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderated a discussion with Jonathan Cheng on how the surprising ties between the Kim dynasty and American Christianity shaped North Korea’s leadership, and how power, belief, and…

  12. Is the Pivot to Asia Dead?

    · 40 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderated a discussion with Dr. Zack Cooper and Dr. Kristi Govella on examining Washington’s failed pivot to Asia, expectations for Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi’s visit to…

  13. The BTS Homecoming: Does Korea's Soft Power Work?

    · 29 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderated a discussion with Dr. Jinaeng Choi and Timothy Martin to discuss the recent BTS comeback concert, how Korean culture around the world can impact Korea's soft power, how it may…

  14. The Four Talent Giants

    · 40 min

    In this episode, Mr. Sydney Seiler moderated a discussion with Stanford University Professor Gi-Wook Shin on his recent book, The Four Talent Giants, and how these four “talent giants” countries achieved economic power…

  15. Korea Update: NDS, Coupang and Congress

    · 41 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderated a discussion with Adam Farrar and Igor Khrestin on the recent Coupang investigation, the key elements of Trump’s National Defense Strategy, what that means for South Korea and…

  16. North Korea in 2026: Intentions, Realities, and Response

    · 48 min

    Sydney Seiler, Dr. Patrick Cronin, Rachel Minyoung Lee, and Markus Garlauskas discussed North Korea's direction in 2026 and what to expect from Kim Jong Un in terms of the diplomatic front with Moscow, Beijing, the…

  17. Recalibrating U.S.-ROK Alliance: Strategic Priorities for 2026

    · 43 min

    In this episode, Mr. Sydney Seiler moderated a discussion with Dr. Chansong Lee and Dr. Bee Yun Jo of the Sejong Institute on the overall outlook of the U.S.–South Korea alliance leading up to 2026, including extended…

  18. Is North Korean Denuclearization Dead?

    · 45 min

    On this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderates a discussion with Amb. Cho Byung Jae and Dr. Jun Bong-geun on North Korea’s nuclear program and the future of diplomacy. The episode explores Pyongyang’s constitutional embrace…

  19. What Does China Want?

    · 38 min

    Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Zenobia Chan, and Ms. Henrietta Levin discussed whether China is a status quo power with limited global aims, or a revisionist state with goals of expanding power and reshaping the global…

  20. South Korea’s Nuclear Submarine Deal: What’s Next?

    · 38 min

    Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Kang Choi, and Dr. Beomchul Shin discussed the outcomes of the APEC meetings, South Korea’s nuclear submarine deal with the United States, and potential next steps.

  21. Upcoming U.S.-ROK Summit and the Future of Inter-Korean Engagement

    · 39 min

    Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Andrew Yeo, and Mr. Sydney Seiler discussed the future of inter-Korean engagement, the upcoming APEC meetings, and the upcoming summit meeting between Presidents Trump and Lee.

  22. What to Expect? New Leadership in Japan

    · 42 min

    Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. James Brady, and Mr. Tobias Harris discussed the newly elected leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Sanae Takaichi—who is likely to become the next prime minister following a…

  23. President Lee's First 100 Days

    · 43 min

    Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Jeonghun Min, and Dr. Hanbeom Jeong discussed President Lee’s first 100 days in office, the implications of his foreign policies for extended deterrence, U.S.–ROK and U.S.–North Korea engagement,…

  24. Trump and the Autocratic Axis

    · 45 min

    Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Patricia Kim, and Dr. Thomas Wright discussed the growing cooperation among the autocratic countries of China, Russia, and North Korea as they push back against U.S. influence and the U.S.-led…

  25. Is China Eating Our Lunch?

    · 36 min

    Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Ely Ratner, and Mr. Scott Snyder discussed two of China’s major diplomatic events—the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit and the Victory Day Parade—as well as the Xi-Putin-Kim meeting,…

  26. Are allies or autocrats managing Trump better?

    · 28 min

    This episode is a special crossover with our CSIS sister podcast, State of Play. After a busy month of U.S. diplomacy, Victor Cha and Max Bergmann join Will to discuss what East Asian and European allies are learning…

  27. The Trump-South Korea Trade Deal: Who Wins?

    · 33 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Ms. Yoojin Kim, Dr. Philip Luck, and Mr. Bill Reinsch discussed the implications of this major trade development, including its impact on U.S.–South Korea economic ties; the outlook for…

  28. US-South Korea Trade Deal and Alliance Modernization?

    · 35 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha and Mr. Sydney Seiler discussed prospects for a U.S.-South Korea trade deal before the end of the August 1 pause on 25 percent tariffs on all goods from Korea, and ways to modernize the…

  29. Special Conversation with Senator Andy Kim

    · 33 min

    Join us for a bonus episode of the Impossible State Live podcast, recorded during the Looking Forward: The Future of United States–Japan–Korea Trilateral Relations event on June 18, 2025. Senator Andy Kim engaged in a…

  30. Getting Started: The New Lee Jae-myung Government

    · 35 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Mr. Jake Kwon, and Mr. Wonchul Kim discussed recent political developments under President Lee’s administration, outcomes of the G7 Summit, and the future direction of U.S.–ROK and…

  31. South Korea's New President

    · 44 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Pacheco Pardo, and Mr. Sydney Seiler discussed South Korea’s new president, the foreign policy challenges facing the incoming administration, and the implications of the election…

  32. What Are U.S. and NATO Views on China?

    · 41 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Ms. Henrietta Levin, and Dr. Luis Simón discussed the Trump administration’s policy toward China, U.S.–China trade relations, the future of U.S. and NATO engagement with China, and more.

  33. Is Trump ready to Re-engage with North Korea?

    · 38 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Mr. Sydney Seiler, and Ms. Yuki Tatsumi discussed the Trump administration’s policy toward North Korea, the possibility of a second Trump–Kim summit, its future direction in relation to…

  34. Korea, Japan, and the Tariff War

    · 39 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Kristi Govella, and Mr. William Reinsch discussed the tariff war, its potential impact on Korea, Japan, and other countries around the world, and more.

  35. The Future of U.S.-ROK-Japan Trilateral Cooperation

    · 34 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha and Dr. Michael Green discussed U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation, the Trump administration’s strategy for the Indo-Pacific, and more.

  36. The Constitutional Court Decides Yoon's Fate

    · 47 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Yoojin Kim, Andrew Yeo, and Darcie Draudt-Véjares discussed the analysis of the Constitutional Court's unanimous decision on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.

  37. Can Korea Manage Economic Security and Supply Chain Challenges?

    · 41 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha and Dr. Hyo-young Lee discussed Korea’s economic security issues, supply chain challenges, the future of U.S.-ROK economic cooperation under the new Trump administration, and more.

  38. When Will the Korean Impeachment Crisis End?

    · 38 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Ms. Yoojin Kim, and Mr. Eunjoong Kim discussed South Korea's ongoing political crisis, the future direction of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, the possibility of a new South…

  39. Implications of South Korea's Political Crisis for Foreign Policy

    · 45 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Ambassador Kathleen Stephens, and Dr. Kang Choi discussed how South Korea's current political crisis will impact its foreign policy and its relations with the United States, its…

  40. North Korean Troops in Russia: Comrades in Arms or Cannon Fodder?

    · 47 min

    In this episode, Mr. Sydney Seiler and Dr. Seth Jones discussed North Korea and Russia's cooperation for the war in Ukraine, North Korea's deployment of soldiers to support Russia, the Trump Administration's policy to…

  41. What's Next for the Korean Peninsula Under Trump 2.0?

    · 38 min

    In this episode, Dr. Ellen Kim and Mr. Sydney Seiler discuss the DPRK's recent and anticipated actions, the potential for exploitation of ROK political developments, US policy toward the North under a second Trump…

  42. South Korea's Political Crisis

    · 48 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Darcie Draudt-Véjares, and Mr. Bruce Klingner discuss the current political situation in South Korea. Topics will include updates on President Yoon's martial law, his impeachment,…

  43. Special Discussion with Secretary General Yongho Tae

    · 41 min

    In this episode, Mr. Sydney Seiler and Secretary General Yongho Tae discuss the latest developments in North Korea. Topics will include updates on North Korean human rights issues, South Korea's policy toward North…

  44. Crossing the Rubicon: North Korea Sends Troops to Russia

    · 46 min

    In this episode, Andrew Schwartz, Victor Cha, and distinguished guests discuss the Kremlin's motivations, the potential impacts on the battlefield in Ukraine, what North Korea is likely to receive in return, how…

  45. The Spiral of Tensions: North Korea, Russia, and Ukraine

    · 46 min

    In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Duyeon Kim, and Mr. Sydney Seiler discuss recent developments regarding North Korea's sending troops to Russia, North Korea blows up inter-Korean roads near the border, North…

  46. The Black Box

    · 30 min

    In this episode, Andrew Schwartz and Victor Cha discuss Dr. Victor Cha's new book, The Black Box: Demystifying the Study of Korean Unification and North Korea.

  47. Recent Developments in North Korea

    · 49 min

    In this episode, Dr. Cha and Mr. Bruce Klingner discuss recent developments regarding North Korea's missile deployment, successor plan, garbage-filled balloons, and more.

  48. A Threat Like No Other - The Russia-North Korea Alliance

    · 46 min

    In this episode, Dr. Cha and distinguished speakers discuss the significance of the Putin-Kim summit, the strengthening Russia-North Korea alliance, the implications of this alliance for regional and global security…

  49. Putin’s Play in NK: The Truth of the Matter Crossover Episode

    · 17 min

    In a crossover episode with CSIS's The Truth of the Matter, Dr. Victor Cha discusses Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang and why he believes the “Mutual Defense Treaty” agreed to by Russia and North Korea is the…

  50. Special Discussion with Ambassador Philip Goldberg

    · 35 min

    In this episode, Dr. Cha and Ambassador Philip Goldberg explore the latest developments on the Korean peninsula and the U.S.-ROK alliance. Topics will include Korea's unique aspects as seen by Ambassador Goldberg; his…

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