"The North Korean Defector" – with Former DPRK Agent Kim, Hyun Woo

Summary 

This week on SpyCast, Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) is joined by former DPRK Agent Kim, Hyun Woo. This is the first time Dr. Kim has stepped out from the shadows to speak. 

*EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE*

What You’ll Learn 

Intelligence 

• The organizational structure of North Korean intelligence
• The journey of a defector 
• The training and skills needed to be a DPRK agent
• North Korean intelligence priorities in the East

Reflections 

• Bravery and courage in the face of danger
• State conformity vs. Personal convictions 

And much, much more … 

Quote of the Week 

“When I envision reunification, I am envisioning reunified Korea under a liberal democratic system as opposed to say, unified Korea under a more North Korean system – That I oppose. My desire is that in a unified Korea, even North Korean populous or population living in northern parts of the Korean Peninsula will be guaranteed fundamental, standard rights as humans.” – Agent Kim, Hyun Woo.

Resources  

SURFACE SKIM 

*SpyCasts* 

• Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East vs. West with Calder Walton (2023)
• The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)
• The Counterterrorism and Counter WMD Strategist with Dexter Ingram (2022)
• Becoming a Russian Intelligence Officer with Janosh Neumann (2022)

*Beginner Resources* 

• The Current Situation in North Korea, United States Institute for Peace (2022) [Fact sheet]
• A Brief History of North Korea in 3 Minutes, G. Willson, New York Magazine (2017) [3 min. video]

*EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE*

DEEPER DIVE 

Books 

• Becoming Kim Jong Un: A Former CIA Officer’s Insights, J. H. Pak (Ballantine Books, 2020) 
• The Impossible State: North Korea, Past and Future, V. Cha (Ecco, 2018)
• In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom, Y. Park (Penguin Books, 2015) 
• Korea’s Place in the Sun: A Modern History, B. Cumings (W.W. Norton, 2005) 

Primary Sources  

• Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un Delivers Speech at Military Parade, KCNA Watch (2020)
• Key Issue Paper for Secretary of State-designate Madeleine Albright, Subject: Korean Peninsula Issues, National Security Archive (1994)
• China: Potential Response to Korean Contingencies, DIA Special Report, National Security Archive (1994)
• DPRK: Slow-Motion Succession: the Secretary’s Morning Intelligence Summary, National Security Archive (1994)
• Protocol for the Phased Withdrawal of Troops (First Draft), Wilson Center (1954)
• Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the Republic of Korea, US Forces Korea (1953) 
• Statement by President Syngman Rhee, Wilson Center (1953)
• Congratulatory Message [from Mao Zedong] to the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army, Wilson Center (1953)
• Telegram from Stalin to Mao Zedong, Wilson Center (1952)
• Cable Nos. 408-410, Shtykov to Vyshinsky, Wilson Center (1950) 
• Statement by the President, Truman on Korea, Wilson Center (1950)

*Wildcard Resource* 

• Inspired by Dr. Kim’s love for Sherlock Holmes:
• His Last Bow is the last chronological short story installment of the Sherlock Holmes series. In this story, Sherlock tracks down a German spy during the First World War!

*EXTENDED SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE*

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