Ask me about North Korea

All things have to come to an end, and it applies to this podcast about in its current format too. Thank you for staying tuned for more than 50 episodes! In this last episode I talk about why it has to end and what my future plans are. Spoiler: Once I have more time, I will do my best to rebrand, reformat, and continue this podcast in mid-2022. To use a famous platitude - I am not saying “goodbye”, I am just saying “see you later!”

Read more below:

Episode 50 – Why does this podcast have to come to an end? (at least, for now) 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 advertisemen…

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.

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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 …

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 Young Pioneer Tours's partner, Pioneer Media, offering production services across a wide variety of unique locations from Asia to Eastern Europe. He has worked extensively in the horror movie genre and has written the foremost authoritative book on 60s entertainer Tiny Tim.

Today's interview will focus on an album, which has been recently released by Ship to Shore PhonoCo. The album is called “Take On Us! Pyongyang Gold Stars Play the Great Popular Hits, Volume One” and is the result of intense international and intercultural cooperation between Norwegian artist Morten Traavik, and many North Korean artists. Justin has made the album available on special edition vinyl to audiences for the first time in the West.



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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 i…

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 focuses on in its production and external trade.



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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 …

The notorious leader of , , has disappeared several times from the public eye in the course of 2020 and 2021, with both experts and media watchers wondering whether the leader is suffering from some sort of systemic health issue that could potentially be fatal. But what actually happens if Kim Jong-un dies? What will the immediate political ramifications look like? Let’s think about it together.



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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 …

Even before the pandemic hit, had a reputation as one of the most if not the most isolated societies on Earth. It was as if North 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 more reclusive than it had already been. Yet with COVID-19 raging all over the world, the seems to be rolling down the path of new unprecedented levels of isolationism. So, in this episode, I’ll answer the question: Why will North Korea remain under for much longer than initially expected?

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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 …

Now comrade Jongun is wearing a weird adhesive bandage on his head...

Why? What do you think?

Add Kim Jong Un’s Head Bandage to List of Health Mysteries North Korea’s Kim Jong Un has appeared in recent days with a bandage about the size of a few postage stamps on the back of his head, in the latest episode to stoke speculation about the reclusive leader’s health.

is infamous for all sorts of activities internationally. Today I am providing you with a broad overview of how uses various types of to cash in for the governing regime.



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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 o…

Hello everyone! So, I have recently registered for the annual Podcast Awards competition in the category 'News & Politics'. I would be grateful, if you could use 2 minutes of your time and support my with your vote as a listener. Your help would mean a lot!

Please find the instructions attached.

Podcast Nomination Instructions

Today’s podcast episode is an with an organizer of North Korea tours. Nicolas Platt is a travel guide, who works with the Young Pioneer 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 you may usually find him at a North Korean restaurant in China, studying Korean or travelling unique parts of the world”.



Listen to the episode on Anchor and other platforms (Apple, Google, Spotify) - https://anchor.fm/ask-me-about-dprk

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 organizer…

Back in the days, was one of the key players in the non-aligned movement or the so-called Third World. 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 seen as an international pariah sponging off the remaining economic and political ties it has with the developing nations. Why did the situation change so dramatically? Well, I am going to talk about that in today’s episode.

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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 intern…

That's what you get when you offer the DPRK humanitarian assistance...

Why do you think is the US making this gesture?

North Korea rejects U.S. aid, calls it a 'sinister scheme' "Many countries have undergone bitter tastes as a result of pinning much hope on the American 'aid' and 'humanitarian assistance.'"

North Korean animation is not really renowned world-wide, but you might have seen some of its products without even realizing it. Indeed, its quality can be surprisingly good! For example, North Korean animators drew some of the scenes in “The Lion King”, one of Disney's biggest bestsellers. On the other hand, it is also responsible for some extremely funny, cringy or violent series too. If you are curious about North Korea’s cultural exploits in this area, make sure to check out this episode.



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Episode 40 – What are North Korean cartoons? North Korean animation is not really renowned world-wide, but you might have seen some of its products without even realizing it. Indeed, its quality can be surprisingly good! For example, North Ko…

This webinar will discuss Pyongyang’s relationship with Damascus in the context of its broader involvement in the Middle East, from the 1967 and 1973 wars with Israel to Pyongyang’s contemporary support for the Assad regime during the Syrian Civil War. It will look at how Pyongyang’s relationship with Damascus fits into the broader context of North Korea’s engagement with the Middle East, and examine the continuing value the relationship has for both countries.

Event Recommendation – Comrades in Arms: North Korea and Syria Featuring: Dr. Samuel RamaniPolitics and International Relations Tutor,University of Oxford Mr. Ross Tokola (Moderator)Executive Associate to the Director,East-West Center in Washington Mr. Ke…

If someone told me that as a political scientist I would have to follow news about 's weight... *sigh*

Kim Jong-un’s weight loss befuddles North Korea watchers If rogue state’s leader ill, power struggle for nuclear and chemical weapons may arise

It was quite a sudden bit of news when , speaking at a high-level meeting at the end of June of 2021, warned of “grave consequences” as a result of senior officials neglecting the country’s prevention measures. This statement caused a lot of interest and controversy in the international mass-media with North experts divided on what sort of event could have happened. Was it really that the detected its first COVID-19 case? Was there a breach of quarantine measures? Or was it something completely different?

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Episode 39 – Did COVID-19 reach Pyongyang: What is North Korea’s ‘grave coronavirus incident’? It was quite a sudden bit of news when Kim Jong-un, speaking at a high-level Party meeting at the end of June of 2021, warned of “grave consequences” as a result of senior officials neglecting the …

Another positive milestone - 200 regular listeners. And that - after a hiatus! Thank you for listening and staying tuned, you are awesome!

Mt usual request: Please, if you can, like my posts, share the episodes, share a link to the podcast’s website or make a donation! All of that will be a great help.

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Ever wanted to learn about through ? Well, make sure you check out 'No Motherland Without'!

Thanks to Comrade Pijus for his recommendation.

Boardgame Recommendation – No Motherland Without A publication on a very different topic today! Thanks to comrade Pijus Kruminas, I became aware of this board game and now it’s officially on my wish-list. If you like board games, make sure …

Indeed, poor Kim Jong-un...

North Korea: Citizens ‘worried’ by Kim Jong-un weight loss State media air unprecedented footage of one citizen expressing concern for the leader's weight loss.

And here I am, back again to talk about . Today, I am discussing the significant political changes that happened in the with the amendment of the WPK rulebook. If you are curious why on Earth would that matter, check out the new episode below

#북한

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Episode 38 – Why did the Workers’ Party of Korea change its rulebook and why does it matter? Today I am discussing one of the most important recent political developments in North Korea. Specifically, I will talk about the revisions to the rules of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK). They w…

Well, as promised, today I am announcing the lottery winner that was scheduled during the hiatus period. Alas, it was not that many people, who participated, but still!

And the winner is … Vervecken. Congratulations, Yves! I’ll be sending you a copy of the book shortly. Since I might be in Belgium some time soon, I could also send you a hard copy.

Cheers! Updates: I will be publishing the new episode tomorrow about the most recent political developments in the . Stay tuned.

Above all, Kim warned women to protect their children from “alien ideology, culture and lifestyles.”

Things as seemingly minor as unusual clothing and speaking styles were, in fact, a “malignant tumor that threatens the life and future of our descendants.”

Kim Jong Un, fearing loss of control, has grooming and parenting advice for North Korean women Kim's renewed efforts to regulate how North Korean citizens think and look comes as South Korean and Western pop culture continue to seep into the country.

Today I am reviewing one of my most favorite, if not the most favorite book about North Korea – The Real North Korea: Life and Politics in the Failed Stalinist Utopia by Andrei Lankov. Check it out, if you have time!

Andrei Lankov has gone where few outsiders have ever been. A native of the former Soviet Union, he lived as an exchange student in North Korea in the 1980s. He has studied it for his entire career, using his fluency in Korean and personal contacts to build a rich, nuanced understanding.

Book Review – The Real North Korea: Life and Politics in the Failed Stalinist Utopia Today I am reviewing one of my most favorite, if not the most favorite book about North Korea – The Real North Korea: Life and Politics in the Failed Stalinist Utopia by Andrei Lankov. Check it out…

Hey, guys, I hope you've been well! A small request to you out there - please, let me know what topics you would like me to cover in the upcoming months.

I also remind you about the ongoing lottery - https://askmeaboutdprk.wordpress.com/2021/06/10/book-lottery-reminder-win-a-free-copy-of-kim-jong-uns-biography/

Cheers,
Ildar

Just an interesting couple of photos...

Poor Kim. He gets fatter - people say he'll die from being overweight. He gets thinner - people say he'll die from some mysterious illness.

N Korea's Kim looks much thinner, causing health speculation SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The health of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has long been a source of morbid fascination in rival South Korea, which sits in the shadow of Kim's 1.2-million-strong army and his growing arsenal of nuclear-armed missiles.

If you have some spare time, make sure to check out this webinar this week – "Nurturing Negotiations: How to Jumpstart and Sustain Diplomacy with North Korea"

Event Recommendation – Nurturing Negotiations: How to Jumpstart and Sustain Diplomacy with North Korea Short description: Following the conclusion of the Biden administration’s North Korea policy review and the U.S.-ROK Summit between Presidents Joe Biden and Moon Jae-in, it is clear that both Washi…

An absolutely mind-blowing film directed by Mads Brügger about and its networks. If you want to check out a real-life James Bond , look no further. #북한

Film Recommendation – The Mole: Undercover in North Korea The Mole: Undercover in North Korea is a real-life undercover thriller about how two ordinary men embark on a dangerous mission to pe*****te the North Korean political system. Ulrich Larsen, a Dani…

Hey! This is just a friendly reminder about the ongoing e-book lottery. Kim Jong-un’s new biography by Ms. Anna Fifield called “The Great Successor: The Divinely Perfect Destiny of Brilliant Comrade Kim Jong Un” is the prize!

Book Lottery Reminder – Win a free copy of Kim Jong-un’s biography! Hey! This is just a friendly reminder about the ongoing e-book lottery. Kim Jong-un’s new biography by Ms. Anna Fifield called “The Great Successor: The Divinely Perfect Destiny of Brilliant Comrad…

The absolute power of Kim Jong-un might not be as absolute as it seems. The ‘Supreme Leader’ is believed to have created a post of ‘first secretary’ to operate as his second-in-command, relieving him from tedious office work and freeing him up to concentrate on more pressing strategic policy concerns

Is North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un learning to delegate? The ‘Supreme Leader’ is believed to have created a post of ‘first secretary’ to operate as his second-in-command, relieving him from tedious office work.