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University of Southern California
David Kang is professor of international relations and business at the University of Southern California and director of its Korean Studies Institute.
PROFILE
David Kang
Guest
FROM David Kang
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Local Koreans are cautiously optimistic about Trump's meeting with Kim Jong Un President Trump agreed to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, after an official invitation from the Supreme Leader. If the meeting takes place, it’ll mark the first time any U.S. president has ever met with the head of North Korea. Kim reportedly told South Korean diplomats that he is eager to meet President Trump “as soon as possible.”
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Could military tensions between North and South Korea be thawing? The two countries re-opened a direct communication line along the Demilitarized Zone in preparation for possible high-level talks next week. This follows a New Year’s Day speech from North Korean President Kim Jong Un, in which he made a rare overture for new negotiations with the South. But in that speech, Kim also said he had a nuclear button ready to launch an attack on any American target. President Donald Trump tweeted last night that he has a nuclear button that’s “much bigger & more powerful.”
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Where is Kim Jong Un? It’s been thirty seven days since North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was last seen in public. Today, he didn’t turn up at the big anniversary ceremonies for the founding of the Workers’ Party. That’s when everyone who’s anyone pays their respects at the palace-turned-mausoleum where the embalmed bodies of his father and grandfather lie under clear glass. So…where is Kim Jung Un? Is he sick? Has he been overthrown? Who’s running the country?
To the Point
Public Execution of North Korea's Second in Command Last week's sudden execution of North Korea's second most powerful official has led to conflicting interpretations. Jang Song-thaek was Kim Jong-un's uncle by marriage and North Korea's closest friend of China. The public accusation that he was organizing the overthrow of the Kim dynasty includes the words, "if the living of the people and service personnel further deteriorate in the future." That language is an unusual admission that the country is not doing well. Is 30-year-old leader Kim Jong-un showing who's really in charge or revealing weakness? What are the consequences for other top cadres, relations with China and the US? Professor David Kang is Director of the Korean Studies Institute at the University of Southern California.
To the Point
North Korea Says It Will Restart Nuclear Reactor UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said today he is " deeply troubled " by North Korea's announcement that it will reopen its Yongbyon facility for processing plutonium to make nuclear bombs. Ban says it "could lead down a path that nobody should want to follow." Professor David Kang is director of the Korean Studies Institute at the University of Southern California.
To the Point
Google’s Eric Schmidt visits North Korea North Korea allows just a tiny elite to use the Internet, but it’s officially referred to a group of American visitors as “a Google delegation.” Google’s executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, is part of a group led by former New Mexico Governor and UN Ambassador, Bill Richardson. We discuss why.
To the Point
What's Next for North Korea after Its Failed Rocket Launch? The launch of the satellite Bright Shining Star was designed to introduce North Korea's newest leader to the rest of the world. The result was a $100 billion humiliation, as we hear from David Kang, Director of the Korean Studies Institute at the University of Southern California.
To the Point
North Korea Prepares for Kim Jong Il’s Funeral The funeral for North Korean strongman Kim Jong Il will be held on Wednesday and the outside world is full of speculation over who will attend—looking for signs that could reveal what’s going on behind the scenes in of a closed society.
Which Way, L.A.?
Obama Talks Tough on Iran; North Korea Nuclear Crisis President Obama began today's news conference by responding to complaints about lukewarm support for election protesters in Iran. Also, a discussion of North Korea, which has escalated tensions with the US and the United Nations. We look at the provocations and possible options for the US and the UN.
To the Point
The North Korean Nuclear Crisis At his press conference this morning, one issue the President wasn't asked about is North Korea, which is once again vying for the world's attention. A ship reportedly loaded with banned weapons is being trailed by an American destroyer, the USS John McCain. There are reports of plans to fire a missile toward Hawaii. We look at the provocations and possible options for the United States and the United Nations.
Recommended
To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
Left, Right & Center
How was the trip? President Trump's travels got less fun as he went from the Middle East to Europe.
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.