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

*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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"The North Korean Defector" – with Former DPRK Agent Kim, Hyun Woo 01:04:29 Share

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