KOREA PRO Podcast

koreapro.org
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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.

  1. 6d ago

    Youth unemployment, housing misfire and AI legal gray zones — Ep. 145

    This week, Jeongmin and John discuss South Korea’s latest employment figures, which show the overall employment rate reaching 70.3% even as young Koreans lost another 191,000 jobs. They examine how growth in health and social welfare jobs is masking continued weakness in sectors such as manufacturing and construction. The team also looks at a Democratic Party lawmaker’s proposal to convert decommissioned buses into housing for young people, why the idea quickly drew ridicule and criticism and what the controversy says about the country’s broader housing challenges. Later, they discuss the backlash facing actress Ahn Ha Young after internet users discovered that her great-great-grandfather was a pro-Japanese collaborator, raising questions about inherited privilege and whether people should be expected to apologize for the actions of distant ancestors. The episode also examines a proposed law targeting AI-generated sexually explicit material, including content depicting entirely fictional people. Jeongmin and John break down the difficulty of defining victims, the proposed criminal penalties for creating or possessing such material and the broader legal and ethical questions surrounding AI-generated content. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing 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, August 13, 2026. Audio edited by Alannah Hill

    Youth unemployment, housing misfire and AI legal gray zones — Ep. 145

  2. Aug 7

    College exam overhaul, heat-wave response and air base protest — Ep. 144

    This week, Jeongmin and John discuss proposals to overhaul South Korea’s college entrance exam by replacing more multiple-choice questions with written responses and potentially using artificial intelligence to grade them.  The team also looks at South Korea’s deadly heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in some regions and thousands seeking treatment for heat-related illnesses. Later, they discuss controversy over the National Assembly speaker’s suggestion that public opinion could determine whether a constitutional amendment might allow President Lee Jae Myung to seek another term, despite constitutional language barring such changes from benefiting the incumbent.  The episode also covers a student group’s protest at Osan Air Base over U.S. concerns about plans for a data center at Gwangju Air Base — roughly 200 kilometers away. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing 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, August 6, 2026. Audio edited by Alannah Hill

    College exam overhaul, heat-wave response and air base protest — Ep. 144

  3. Jul 31

    Tech sell-off, changing demographics and frontline readiness — Ep. 143

    This week, the team discusses the KOSPI’s sharp reversal despite record earnings from SK Hynix and major investment announcements during President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to San Francisco, examining why concerns about future spending and returns continue to weigh on technology stocks. The conversation also looks at the heavy losses suffered by investors in leveraged single-stock exchange-traded funds and the government’s decision to restrict new listings and advertising just weeks after allowing the products to enter the market. The team then breaks down South Korea’s latest census, including the growing role of foreign residents in keeping the population stable, the rise of Vietnamese communities and the growing mismatch between smaller households and a housing market still centered on large apartments. Later, they discuss the arrival of new U.S. Ambassador Michelle Steel and the diplomatic challenges she faces. The episode also covers concerns over frontline military readiness after a South Korean Army corps reportedly removed ammunition belts from machine guns without informing the Joint Chiefs of Staff. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing 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, July 30, 2026. Audio edited by Alannah Hill

    Tech sell-off, changing demographics and frontline readiness — Ep. 143

  4. Jul 24

    South Korea’s oil squeeze, Seoul mayor ruling and KNDA breach — Ep. 142

    On this week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha discuss the widening war in the Middle East and what it means for South Korea, from rising oil prices and shipping insurance costs to inflationary pressure on an export-dependent economy. They also break down Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s conviction for violating the Political Funds Act, including why the ruling could damage his political image even as he remains in office while pursuing an appeal. The episode then turns to South Korea’s ongoing trade and industry talks with Washington, as Seoul looks to deepen shipbuilding cooperation while Coupang continues to complicate the broader U.S.-ROK economic conversation. They also discuss the latest cyberattack on the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, after officials said the institution had been compromised for months, exposing the personal data of South Korean diplomats and raising questions about possible North Korean or Chinese involvement. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing 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, July 23, 2026. Audio edited by Alannah Hill

    South Korea’s oil squeeze, Seoul mayor ruling and KNDA breach — Ep. 142

  5. Jul 17

    Lee’s economic gamble, BOK hike and military academy reform — Ep. 141

    On this week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, John and Joon Ha discuss President Lee Jae Myung’s new economic growth strategy for the second half of 2026, including his push for the state to play a much more active role as an investor in South Korea’s future industries. They also break down the Bank of Korea’s decision to raise the base rate to 2.75%, as inflation, rising energy prices, household debt and a weak won continue to create financial stability concerns. The episode then turns to the Lee administration’s proposal to merge South Korea’s three main military academies into a single institution, a plan the government says would improve jointness and modernize officer education.  John and Joon Ha also revisit South Korea’s defense export ambitions after Hanwha Ocean’s loss in Canada’s submarine procurement competition, looking at how Seoul is shifting attention to Southeast Asian markets such as Thailand and the Philippines as it seeks to become one of the world’s top arms exporters. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing 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, July 16, 2026. Audio edited by Alannah Hill

    Lee’s economic gamble, BOK hike and military academy reform — Ep. 141

  6. Jul 10

    Submarine setback, NATO ambitions and South Korea’s fake news fight — Ep. 140

    On this week’s episode of the Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin and John discuss Canada’s decision to name Germany’s TKMS as the preferred bidder for its submarine procurement program, dealing a major blow to South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean after months of intense lobbying. The conversation then turns to President Lee Jae Myung’s push for a “ROK-NATO Partnership 2.0,” including Seoul’s effort to move beyond one-off defense sales and present itself as a partner in joint production, planning and investment with Europe.  They also look at Lee’s $100 million Ukraine pledge and whether Seoul can convince NATO partners that it is committed to long-term security cooperation, especially if South Korea eventually seeks to normalize trade ties with Russia. The episode also breaks down the implementation of South Korea’s revised Network Act, widely referred to as the “fake news” law. The team explains how the law targets major online platforms such as Naver, Kakao, Google, Meta, X and TikTok, and why critics worry it could create legal and financial risks for journalists, whistleblowers and smaller media outlets. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing 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, July 9, 2026. Audio edited by Alannah Hill

    Submarine setback, NATO ambitions and South Korea’s fake news fight — Ep. 140

  7. Jul 3

    AI megaprojects, inflation pressure and Korea’s football reckoning — Ep. 139

    This week, the team discusses the Lee administration’s $1 trillion “Three Mega Projects” blueprint, which aims to expand South Korea’s semiconductor, AI data center, advanced packaging and robotics sectors while building a new industrial base in the Honam region. The conversation then turns to domestic politics, as the ruling Democratic Party secures 11 of the National Assembly’s 18 standing committees after a People Power Party boycott, giving the ruling bloc control over key legislative choke points as it pushes President Lee Jae Myung’s agenda. The team also looks at June’s 3.2% inflation reading, the KOSPI sell-off and investor concerns over whether Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix can sustain major AI-related investments in both South Korea and the U.S. Later, they discuss Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha’s visit to Seoul, including the fate of North Korean prisoners of war captured while fighting for Russia and discrepancies between Seoul and Kyiv’s readouts on security cooperation. The episode also covers Han Seong-sook’s appointment as prime minister, President Lee’s criticism of the Korea Football Association after South Korea’s World Cup exit and the risks of government intervention in football governance. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing 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, July 2, 2026. Audio edited by Alannah Hill

    AI megaprojects, inflation pressure and Korea’s football reckoning — Ep. 139

  8. Jun 26

    More Iran uncertainty, G7 diplomacy and South Korea’s AI stock surge — Ep. 138

    On this week’s episode, John and Jeongmin discuss the latest uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Iran talks and what it means for South Korea. They also examine President Lee Jae Myung’s recent diplomacy in Europe, including his interactions with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit and the possibility that golf could become an unlikely channel for building personal rapport between the two leaders. The conversation then turns to South Korean domestic politics, as Lee’s approval ratings decline and support for the conservative People Power Party shows signs of recovery.  Finally, the discussion turns to what Micron’s stronger-than-expected earnings could signal for South Korean chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, as AI demand continues to shape the KOSPI and drive market volatility.  About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing 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, June 25, 2026. Audio edited by Alannah Hill

    More Iran uncertainty, G7 diplomacy and South Korea’s AI stock surge — Ep. 138
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Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    koreapro.org
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Korea Risk Group (NK Consulting Inc.)
  • Show Website
    KOREA PRO Podcast

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