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cover of episode "The North Korean Defector" – with Former DPRK Agent Kim, Hyun Woo

"The North Korean Defector" – with Former DPRK Agent Kim, Hyun Woo

2023/6/20
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SpyCast

Shownotes Transcript

Summary 

This week on SpyCast, Andrew (Twitter); LinkedIn)) is joined by former DPRK Agent Kim, Hyun Woo. This is the first time Dr. Kim has stepped out from the shadows to speak. 

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE)

What You’ll Learn 

Intelligence 

  • The organizational structure of North Korean intelligence

  • The journey of a defector 

  • The training and skills needed to be a DPRK agent

  • North Korean intelligence priorities in the East

Reflections 

  • Bravery and courage in the face of danger

  • State conformity vs. Personal convictions

 

And much, much more … 

 

Quote of the Week 

*“When I envision reunification, I am envisioning reunified Korea under a liberal democratic system as opposed to say, unified Korea under a more North Korean system – That I oppose. My desire is that in a unified Korea, even North Korean populous or population living in northern parts of the Korean Peninsula will be guaranteed fundamental, standard rights as humans.” – *Agent Kim, Hyun Woo.

**Resources ** 

SURFACE SKIM 

SpyCasts 

- Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East vs. West) with Calder Walton (2023)

- The Counterintelligence Chief) with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)

- The Counterterrorism and Counter WMD Strategist) with Dexter Ingram (2022)

- Becoming a Russian Intelligence Officer) with Janosh Neumann (2022)

Beginner Resources 

- The Current Situation in North Korea), United States Institute for Peace (2022) [Fact sheet]

- A Brief History of North Korea in 3 Minutes), G. Willson, New York Magazine (2017) [3 min. video]

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE)

DEEPER DIVE 

Books 

- Becoming Kim Jong Un: A Former CIA Officer’s Insights, J. H. Pak (Ballantine Books, 2020) 

- The Impossible State: North Korea, Past and Future, V. Cha (Ecco, 2018)

- In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom, Y. Park (Penguin Books, 2015) 

- Korea’s Place in the Sun: A Modern History, B. Cumings (W.W. Norton, 2005) 

**Primary Sources ** 

- Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un Delivers Speech at Military Parade), KCNA Watch (2020)

- Key Issue Paper for Secretary of State-designate Madeleine Albright, Subject: Korean Peninsula Issues), National Security Archive (1994)

- China: Potential Response to Korean Contingencies, DIA Special Report), National Security Archive (1994)

- DPRK: Slow-Motion Succession: the Secretary’s Morning Intelligence Summary), National Security Archive (1994)

- Protocol for the Phased Withdrawal of Troops (First Draft)), Wilson Center (1954)

- Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the Republic of Korea), US Forces Korea (1953) 

- Statement by President Syngman Rhee), Wilson Center (1953)

- Congratulatory Message [from Mao Zedong] to the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army), Wilson Center (1953)

- Telegram from Stalin to Mao Zedong), Wilson Center (1952)

- Cable Nos. 408-410, Shtykov to Vyshinsky), Wilson Center (1950) 

- Statement by the President, Truman on Korea), Wilson Center (1950)

Wildcard Resource 

  • Inspired by Dr. Kim’s love for Sherlock Holmes:

His Last Bow) is the last chronological short story installment of the Sherlock Holmes series. In this story, Sherlock tracks down a German spy during the First World War!

EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE)

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