Where in the world is Kim Jong-un? The dictator of North Korea who appears so fond of being filmed and photographed has disappeared from sight - and there are rumors that he is possibly dead. Social media, in particular, has turned the event into a meme, adding cultural references such as Game of Thrones to frame imaginary scenarios on what might follow in the vacuum left by the late supreme leader.
But for those who have been watching North Korea for a while, this is not a new occurrence. Leaders of this most opaque state have disappeared in the past. Our guest today, KEI Vice President Mark Tokola - a veteran of the US foreign service and former Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. embassy in Seoul - remembers those incidents. And with history as an added guide, he provides a more sober analysis of the ongoing mystery around the whereabouts of Kim Jong-un.
You can find Mark Tokola's article on this topic here: http://blog.keia.org/2020/04/kim-regimes-two-disappearances-funeral/
In addition, please find the RSVP for our discussion with Col. David Maxwell on potential instability in North Korea: https://share.hsforms.com/1sq5iU-1HSBuh9vCm4hpX_A2ztzy
Winning an Election during a Pandemic: Scott Snyder, Kang Insun, and Song Hochang
Going Together to Address a Pandemic: Marc Knapper
Public Health is Human Rights, Human Rights is Public Health: Ambassador Robert King and Greg Scarlatoiu
The Economic Fallout of a Pandemic: Troy Stangarone and Kyle Ferrier
The Rise, Stumble, and Rise of A Conglomerate: Geoffrey Cain
How Korea and the World Are (and Are Not) Fighting the Coronavirus: Amb. Kathleen Stephens and Mark Tokola
How an Isolated Country Fights a Pandemic: Troy Stangarone
Tackling the Coronavirus is Not Costless: Kyle Ferrier
Can North Korea take on the coronavrius? Not alone: John Grundy
[Rebroadcast] North Korea's Healthcare System: John Grundy
10 Issues for the Korean Peninsula in 2020: KEI Staff
Monetizing The Linchpin: Kyle Ferrier
Building a Better Future with Truth: Min Jin Lee
Representation and Community: Alexander Chee
Korea and the Persian Gulf: Troy Stangarone
Sharing the Burden: Song Min-soon
Impeachment, Part 2: Consequences
Impeachment, Part 1: Precedent
A Team of Their Own: Seth Berkman
The Korean Revolutionary in Cuba: Joseph Juhn
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free