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
Donald Trump
Indo-Pacific
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 monthlyEpisodes165Founded8 years ago
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Artwork for The Impossible State

Latest Episodes

Dr. Victor Cha and two scholars from the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA), Dr. Hyun-Wook Kim and Dr. Yanghyeon Jo, discussed the trilateral partnership among the United States, Japan, and South Korea, exploring whether the three countries are... more

Dr. Victor Cha and Mr. Sydney Seiler discussed the significance of Kim Jong-un’s surprise weekend visit to Dandong, China, via the New Yalu River Bridge, exploring why Kim chose to visit China at this time and what the visit means ahead of President ... more

YouTube

Dr. Victor Cha, Mr. Ankit Panda, and Ms. Jenny Town discussed North Korea’s recent missile launches, focusing on what the tests reveal about North Korea's military capabilities and the strategy behind the accelerated pace of launches.

YouTube

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

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Recent Guests

Sydney Seiler
Former National Intelligence Officer for North Korea and U.S. Special Envoy for the Six-Party Talks
CSIS
Episode: Bridge to Beijing? Kim Jong-un Crosses the Yalu
Ankit Panda
Stanton senior fellow in the nuclear policy program and author of The New Nuclear Age
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Episode: Missile Madness: Prelude to Summit?
Jenny Town
Senior fellow at the Stimson Center and director of 38 North
Stimson Center
Episode: Missile Madness: Prelude to Summit?
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
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?

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 Statesa year 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
#57
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#38
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#47
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#21
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#29
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#47
Germany/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bridge to Beijing? Kim Jong-un Crosses the Yalu
Q: Might he try to remind both of them about he still has this semblance of a budding relationship with the United States?
Seiler says China likely understands Kim's overtures to Trump, but sees little urgency for talks and doubts Beijing will take on a mediating role.
Bridge to Beijing? Kim Jong-un Crosses the Yalu
Q: Can you tell us what you think Kim was trying to accomplish?
Seiler says the visit fits Kim's broader strategy of pursuing diplomatic breakthroughs without denuclearizing, strengthening ties with China and Russia, and emphasizing historic military bonds.
Missile Madness: Prelude to Summit?
Q: How much of Russian support derivative of the war in Ukraine is a piece of this?
Panda and Town say Russian support may include technology, industrial cooperation, and military supply chains, while North Korea is also learning from battlefield experience and using cyber capabilities. They note that outside assistance could accelerate North Korea's weapons development and military modernization.
Missile Madness: Prelude to Summit?
Q: Can you walk us through exactly what the North Koreans have done and what is new or significant in your mind from what you're seeing in terms of these developments?
Ankit Panda describes the tests as part of North Korea's military modernization, including a maneuverable intermediate-range missile and submarine-launched cruise missiles. He says the tests build capability, complicate missile defense, and signal that North Korea is diversifying its nuclear forces.
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.

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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These podcasts share a similar audience with The Impossible State:

1. ChinaPower
2. Pekingology
3. Asia Geopolitics
4. Russian Roulette
5. The President’s Inbox

How many episodes of The Impossible State are there?

The Impossible State launched 8 years ago and published 165 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. Sydney Seiler
2. Ankit Panda
3. Jenny Town
4. Wonchul Kim
5. Jeehye Yoo
6. Bonny Lin
7. Adam Farrar
8. Eunjoong Kim

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