The Impossible State Podcast
Podcast

The Impossible State

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. 

 

The Impossible State is produced by David Lotfi

Podcast Series by Victor Cha and Sydney Seiler

Subscribe and Listen

All The Impossible State Podcast Episodes

Filter by

1 - 10 of 153 results
The Impossible State

The BTS Homecoming: Does Korea's Soft Power Work?

In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderated a discussion with Dr. Jinaeng Choi and Timothy Martin to discuss the recent BTS comeback concert, how Korean culture around the world can impact Korea's soft power, how it may influence global audiences, and more. 

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha, Jinaeng Choi , and Timothy Martin — April 8, 2026

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

Is the Pivot to Asia Dead?

In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderated a discussion with Dr. Tom Wright and Dr. Kristi Govella on examining Washington’s failed pivot to Asia, expectations for Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi’s visit to Washington, and its potential impact on the Korean Peninsula, the Indo-Pacific region, and broader regional dynamics.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha — March 20, 2026

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

The Four Talent Giants

Mr. Sydney Seiler moderated a discussion with Stanford professor Gi‑Wook Shin about The Four Talent Giants, focusing on how four countries built and sustained economic power while managing demographic decline, brain drain, and geopolitical pressures. Shin highlighted his Four Bs framework—brain train, brain gain, brain circulation, and brain linkage

Podcast Episode by Sydney Seiler and Gi-Wook Shin — March 2, 2026

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

Korea Update: NDS, Coupang and Congress

In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderated a discussion with Adam Farrar and Igor Khrestin on the recent Coupang investigation, the key elements of Trump’s National Defense Strategy, what that means for South Korea and for any future response to North Korean threats, and more.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha — February 13, 2026

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

North Korea in 2026: Intentions, Realities, and Response

Sydney Seiler, Dr. Patrick Cronin, Rachel Minyoung Lee, and Markus Garlauskas discussed North Korea's direction in 2026 and what to expect from Kim Jong Un in terms of the diplomatic front with Moscow, Beijing, the ROK, the U.S., and more.

Podcast Episode by Sydney Seiler — February 2, 2026

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

Recalibrating U.S.-ROK Alliance: Strategic Priorities for 2026

In this episode, Mr. Sydney Seiler moderated a discussion with Dr. Chansong Lee and Dr. Bee Yun Jo of the Sejong Institute on the overall outlook of the U.S.–South Korea alliance leading up to 2026, including extended deterrence, the Nuclear Consultative Group, the OPCON transfer, shipbuilding, and other strategic issues.

Podcast Episode by Sydney Seiler, Chansong Lee, and Bee Yun Jo — January 16, 2026

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

Is North Korean Denuclearization Dead?

On this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderates a discussion with Amb. Cho Byung Jae and Dr. Jun Bong-geun on North Korea’s nuclear program and the future of diplomacy. The episode explores Pyongyang’s constitutional embrace of nuclear weapons, Seoul’s E.N.D. initiative to revive dialogue, and President Trump’s push for summitry.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha — December 9, 2025

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

What Does China Want?

Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Zenobia Chan, and Ms. Henrietta Levin discussed whether China is a status quo power with limited global aims, or a revisionist state with goals of expanding power and reshaping the global international order, and more.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha and Henrietta Levin — November 24, 2025

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

South Korea’s Nuclear Submarine Deal: What’s Next?

Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Kang Choi, and Dr. Beomchul Shin discussed the outcomes of the APEC meetings, South Korea’s nuclear submarine deal with the United States, and potential next steps. 

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha — November 14, 2025

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

Upcoming U.S.-ROK Summit and the Future of Inter-Korean Engagement

Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Andrew Yeo, and Mr. Sydney Seiler discussed the future of inter-Korean engagement, the upcoming APEC meetings, and the upcoming summit meeting between Presidents Trump and Lee. 

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha and Sydney Seiler — October 22, 2025

The Impossible State Podcast