Rephonic
Artwork for The Impossible State
North Korea
South Korea
China
Russia
United States
Ukraine
Japan
U.s.-Rok Alliance
Trump Administration
NATO
Economic Security
U.S. National Security
Nuclear Weapons
Biden Administration
Indo-Pacific
Donald Trump
DPRK Policy
Sanctions
Deterrence
National Defense

North Korea is the Impossible State. Each episode, join the people who know the most about North Korea for an insiders’ discussion with host Victor Cha about one of the United States’ top national security priorities.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes162Founded8 years ago
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GovernmentBusinessNon-Profit

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Artwork for The Impossible State

Latest Episodes

Dr. Victor Cha, Mr. Wonchul Kim, and Ms. Jeehye Yoo discussed President Lee’s North Korea initiative, recent tensions involving the DMZ and North Korean POWs, and the broader outlook for inter-Korean relations.

YouTube

Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Bonny Lin, and Mr. Sydney Seiler discussed recent developments in China–North Korea relations and the broader implications of the Trump–Xi summit for regional security and geopolitics in Northeast Asia.

YouTube

Dr. Victor Cha, Adam Farrar, Eunjoong Kim, and Wonchul Kim discussed the recent U.S. House Judiciary Committee report on discriminatory practices, expiration of Section 122 tariffs, and the Korean investment deals.

YouTube

Dr. Victor Cha, Ms. Kate Bondar, and Mr. Bruce Klingner discussed how the Ukraine war is reshaping warfare, what North Korea may learn from Russia, and the implications for Korean Peninsula security.

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Wonchul Kim
Washington Bureau Chief for the Hangyore
Hangyore
Episode: Brewing Korea Crisis? Mines, Missiles, & POWs
Jeehye Yoo
Washington Bureau Chief for the Chungang Ilbo
Chungang Ilbo
Episode: Brewing Korea Crisis? Mines, Missiles, & POWs
Sydney Seiler
Sid Seiler, Non-resident Senior Advisor with the CSIS, former National Intelligence Officer for North Korea
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Episode: Lips and Teeth? China, North Korea, and the Korean Peninsula
Bonny Lin
Director of the China Power Project and Senior Advisor at CSIS; former Rand Corp political scientist and DoD official
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Episode: Lips and Teeth? China, North Korea, and the Korean Peninsula
Adam Farrar
Non-resident Senior Associate, Bloomberg Economics; former NSC Korea and Mongolia Director
Bloomberg Economics / Former NSC
Episode: Poisoning the Well: U.S.-Korea Trade Tension
Eunjoong Kim
Washington correspondent for Chosun Ilbo; former Asan Fellow
Chosun Ilbo
Episode: Poisoning the Well: U.S.-Korea Trade Tension
Katerina Bondar
Senior fellow at the Wadwani AI Center, CSIS
CSIS
Episode: What is North Korea learning from Russia's war in Ukraine?
Bruce Klingner
Senior fellow at the Mansfield Foundation; former senior researcher at the Heritage Foundation
Heritage Foundation/Mansfield Foundation
Episode: What is North Korea learning from Russia's war in Ukraine?
Igor Khrestin
Senior Advisor in Global Policy
George W. Bush Institute
Episode: How Should the United States Counter the CRINK Axis?

Host

Victor Cha
Host of The Impossible State; renowned scholar and policy expert on North Korea and Northeast Asian security.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 204 ratings
  • Excellent

    Excellent and very topical podcast, which analyzes policy and current events from a variety of different perspectives. While on the whole very good, there are a few guests, like Zenobia Chan from Georgetown, who will actively parrot CCP propaganda without irony.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joshua Xi
    United States10 months ago
  • Very, Very Good

    This show excels at covering the Korean Peninsula and the sphere relevant to it. Indispensable information and analysis; just top notch.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RJG179
    United States2 years ago
  • Very, Very Good

    This show excels at covering the Korean Peninsula and the sphere relevant to it. Indispensable information and analysis; just top notch. I do miss Sue.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RJG179
    United States4 years ago
  • Awesome

    Podcast Addict
    5
    DaniDani
    4 years ago
  • Awesome

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Dani
    4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners feel a broader guest slate would improve balance at times.
Indispensable for understanding DPRK diplomacy and US–ROK alliance dynamics.
High-quality, insider perspectives; some guests can occasionally echo a single viewpoint.
Insightful, topical analysis from a range of experts on Korea and regional security.
Great depth on North Korea and Crink dynamics, with strong policy takeaways.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#149
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#176
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#73
France/Government
Apple Podcasts
#85
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#91
Germany/Government
Apple Podcasts
#204
Australia/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What is North Korea learning from Russia's war in Ukraine?
Q: How might North and South Korea respond to the drone threat, and could there be an arms race in counter-drone technology?
Both sides are likely to pursue layered defense and AI-enabled counter-drone systems, while balancing budgets and existing weapon programs; an arms race in counter-drone tech is possible, but cost-effective, mass-produced interceptors and autonomous systems could shape a more affordable deterrent landscape.
What is North Korea learning from Russia's war in Ukraine?
Q: What has been the Ukrainian experience with building a drone industry, and how quickly did they stand up production?
Ukraine built a largely decentralized, civilian-backed drone ecosystem, starting with foreign components and quickly moving toward domestic production, aided by mobilization of society and entrepreneurial adaptability, achieving substantial drone manufacturing capability within a few years.
How Should the United States Counter the CRINK Axis?
Q: What are the most important practical tools to counter Crink according to your report?
Diversify supply chains away from China for critical goods like rare earths and semiconductors, accelerate French‑sourcing and domestic capabilities, strengthen sanctions enforcement and multilateral coordination, and rebuild democratic messaging and institutions as a counterweight.
How Should the United States Counter the CRINK Axis?
Q: So does that mean that you think Putin would have been jealous when Xi visited Pyongyang and what does that say about China-North Korea relations?
Putin would likely be pleased if China and North Korea are aligned in a shared anti‑unilateral Western stance, but there are behind‑the‑scenes dynamics; China wants North Korea contained and stable, while North Korea seeks more influence from Russia and China, creating a calibrated balance rather than a simple bloc.
Privileged But Powerless
Q: Why are elite defections increasing under Kim Jong Un, and what factors contribute to this trend?
Purges, unprecedented information access, the lure of money, and family dynamics are driving elites to defect, as they reassess risk and seek better futures for themselves and their children.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Impossible State

What is The Impossible State about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A policy-forward show exploring North Korea and the broader Northeast Asia security landscape through expert analysis from scholars, former policymakers, and journalists. Central themes often include U.S.–ROK alliance dynamics, sanctions and export controls, China's role, deterring North Korean aggression, and the impact of diplomacy on regional security. Guests frequently dissect strategic frameworks like Crink, denuclearization debates, and cultural and economic levers shaping policy. Noteworthy is the mix of think-tank scholarship, on-the-ground diplomacy, and real-world governance experience, which helps listeners evaluate how U.S. policy, allied partnerships, and regional actors interact in a high-stakes security environment. The show ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Impossible State?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Impossible State:

1. The Asia Chessboard
2. ChinaPower
3. Pekingology
4. Russian Roulette
5. Asia Geopolitics

How many episodes of The Impossible State are there?

The Impossible State launched 8 years ago and published 162 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Impossible State?

Recent guests on The Impossible State include:

1. Wonchul Kim
2. Jeehye Yoo
3. Sydney Seiler
4. Bonny Lin
5. Adam Farrar
6. Eunjoong Kim
7. Katerina Bondar
8. Bruce Klingner

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