Hey guys, it’s Ildar, coming to you with what might be one of the last episodes of Ask me about North Korea. As you know, I have been running this podcast for the past year without any advertisements or monetization that Anchor usually offers to its producers. I personally think that advertisements would distract myContinue reading “Episode 50 – Why does this podcast have to come to an end? (at least, for now)”
Tag Archives: DPRK
Episode 49 – What is the role of military in North Korea?
In this episode, I would like to talk about the Korean People’s Army or KPA – the military of North Korea, which is also the armed wing of the ruling party. Specifically, today we will look at the current structure, role, and significance of the North Korean army. Please consider donating to support ad-free, independentContinue reading “Episode 49 – What is the role of military in North Korea?”
Episode 48 – Why are the North Korean-Japanese relations as bad as it can get?
Today’s episode talks about the complicated historical framework of the North Korean-Japanese relations – including the two biggest conflict points that both countries have had. In that light, I also discuss their contemporary problems including history interpretation and mutual negative perception. Please consider donating to support ad-free, independent coverage of the DPRK: Make a donationContinue reading “Episode 48 – Why are the North Korean-Japanese relations as bad as it can get?”
Episode 47 – How to release North Korean music covers? (Interview with Justin Martell)
This podcast episode today is unusually musical. Our guest today is Justin Martell, an American producer, and a co-founder of the Brooklyn-based record label Ship to Shore PhonoCo. Justin Martell in 2017 also founded YPT’s partner, Pioneer Media, offering production services across a wide variety of unique locations from Asia to Eastern Europe. He hasContinue reading “Episode 47 – How to release North Korean music covers? (Interview with Justin Martell)”
Episode 46 – What does North Korea export to the outside world?
This episode will not be very analytical, but the topic that I will cover provides some important context for the previous episodes and your understanding of the North Korean socio-economic system and its place in the global trade streams. Today I will talk a bit more about North Korean exports – what the country focusesContinue reading “Episode 46 – What does North Korea export to the outside world?”
Episode 45 – What happens if Kim Jong-un dies?
The notorious leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, has disappeared several times from the public eye in the course of 2020 and 2021, with both experts and media watchers wondering whether the North Korean leader is suffering from some sort of systemic health issue that could potentially be fatal. But what actually happens if KimContinue reading “Episode 45 – What happens if Kim Jong-un dies?”
Episode 44 – Why will North Korea remain under quarantine for longer than just 2021?
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, North Korea had a reputation as one of the most if not the most isolated societies on Earth. It was as if North Korea was already living under the conditions of a permanent COVID-19 lockdown. Indeed, it was hard to imagine that the hermit nation could get any moreContinue reading “Episode 44 – Why will North Korea remain under quarantine for longer than just 2021?”
Episode 43 – How does North Korea make money illegally?
Quite some time ago I’ve received a couple of suggestions to cover the question of how North Korea earns money illicitly. Since this is a massive topic, it took me a while to figure out what kind of episode I want to make while answering the question. Hence, today, I will try to respond toContinue reading “Episode 43 – How does North Korea make money illegally?”
Episode 42 – What is it like to be an organizer of tours to North Korea?
Today’s podcast episode is an interview with an organizer of North Korea tours. Nicolas Platt is a travel guide, who works with the Young Pioneers’ Tours, one of the most renown DPRK tour organizers internationally. The YPT website describes Nic as a “North Korea wunderkind and tour guide par extraordinaire. Whilst he’s not touring youContinue reading “Episode 42 – What is it like to be an organizer of tours to North Korea?”
Episode 41 – What is North Korea’s diplomatic standing in the developing world?
Back in the Cold War days, North Korea was one of the key players in the non-aligned movement or the so-called Third World. Pyongyang used to position itself as a leader of the opposition to international imperialism and even tried to project its juche ideology on other countries. However, now the country is largely seenContinue reading “Episode 41 – What is North Korea’s diplomatic standing in the developing world?”
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