In this 38 North video, Mike Chinoy, Senior Fellow at the US-China Institute, University of Southern California sat down with Dr. Yoo Ho-Yeol, Director and Professor of North Korean Studies at Korea University to discuss the political transitions taking place on the Korean peninsula.
The interview is divided into four parts. Part I (0:06) takes a closer look into Kim Jong Un's early months as leader—his hold on power, how he's navigating his family's legacy, and what policy directions he seems to be taking.
Part II (9:53) dives deeper into the question of North Korea's economy under Kim Jong Un. As economic improvement is largely believed to be a key test of the young leader's legitimacy in the long term, Dr. Yoo analyzes Kim Jong Un's willingness and ability to make economic changes in the current political environment.
In Part III (20:30), Dr. Yoo and Mr. Chinoy discuss South Korea's presidential candidates and the prospects for the North Korea factor to influence the upcoming election.
Part IV (27:00) takes a look at the North Korean nuclear issue, examining how US and Chinese foreign policy have influenced the North's nuclear stance and what is needed to make progress on this contentious issue.
38 North (www.38north.org) is a program of the US-Korea Institute at SAIS. Funding for the 38 North video series was generously provided by the Carnegie Corporation.
