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University of Southern California
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
The Mixer
Tension from Korea reverberate here in LA In North Korea, military parades will mark the 105th anniversary of the birth the country's founder, Kim Il Sung, on April 15. And it's possible Pyongyang may punctuate the day with a nuclear missle test.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Korean Reunions This week, at North Korea’s Diamond Mountain Resort, families divided by the Korean War nearly 70 years ago will meet: South Koreans and North Koreans face to face. Being selected for a reunion is not easy and it typically only lasts a couple of days.
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.
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
What happens when America retreats from the world? Is President Trump taking his "America First" agenda to extremes, withdrawing the country from the international stage on trade and climate change, distancing America from its traditional allies across the Atlantic and even threatening to physically isolate the country through the building of a wall along its southern border? León Krauze guest hosts.
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.
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.