Korea Strategic Talks Webinar V – Inside North Korea: Exploring Domestic Political and Economic Developments
Following the success of our inaugural “Strategic Talks” series held this past June, we are now pleased to invite you to our second series consisting of two talks in December, focusing on domestic political and economic developments in North Korea. The second talk is scheduled to take place on December 10th at 09:00 Swedish time (UTC+1), following a first talk scheduled to take place on December 3rd at 15:00 Swedish time.
The ISDP’s Strategic Talks series aims to promote dialogue and exchange of ideas related to the developments on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, and to further increase the understanding of the many factors and policies that impact security developments. We invite scholars and experts from diverse fields and backgrounds to a conversation moderated by Mats Engman, Head of the Stockholm Korea Center.
The conversation will include two experts, and we will typically schedule two to three conversations within a short time span, covering the same issues but from different perspectives. This provides a platform for us to identify possible differences in understanding, assessments, and policies.
Our guests for the second session (09:00 CET, 17:00 JST/KST) are Dr. Ryo Hinata-Yamaguchi from Tokyo International University and Mr. Anton Sokolin from NK News, and the conversation will revolve around domestic political and economic developments in North Korea. We will be asking and answering questions such as: what is the current economic situation in North Korea; what are the main challenges; and what impact will the improved relations with Russia have? On the domestic political situation, the conversation seeks to explore implications of North Korea’s new policy on unification, the risks of sending North Korean soldiers to fight in Russia, and the overall situation for the Kim family and regime.
The Strategic Talks will be live and online and recorded for later use. A typical session runs for 60 mins. Occasionally we will also summarize a Strategic Talk or a series of talks into a publication.
Speakers:
Ryo Hinata-Yamaguchi is an Associate Professor at the Institute for International Strategy, Tokyo International University; Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security; and Adjunct Senior Fellow at Pacific Forum. Ryo specializes in defense and security, and transport governance in the Indo-Pacific. Ryo previously held positions at the University of Tokyo, Pusan National University, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (reserve). Ryo received his Ph.D. from the University of New South Wales, and M.A. and B.A. from the Australian National University. Ryo was also a Korea Foundation Language Training Fellow.
Anton Sokolin is a Data Correspondent at NK News, former reporter with Reuters and TASS. Cover sanctions, trade data, work with satellite imagery and by proxy write about Russia-DPRK ties.