Jenny Town

Jenny Town, the Director of the 38 North program at the Stimson Center, delves into Kim Jong Un's recent bulletproof train ride to meet Vladimir Putin. She highlights the mutual benefits of their evolving alliance amid geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning military cooperation and the Ukraine conflict. Town also discusses North Korea’s pressing food security issues, exacerbated by the pandemic, and Kim's push for agricultural reforms. Surprisingly, she illuminates North Korea's unexpected strategic ties with nations like Cuba and Venezuela.

Jenny Town, director of the 38 North Project, and Toby Dalton, co-director of the Carnegie Nuclear Policy Project, dive into the tumultuous political landscape in South Korea. They analyze President Yoon's declaration of martial law and its implications for governance and U.S. relations. The conversation shifts to South Korea's nuclear dilemma as they contemplate the risks of nuclear proliferation and the complexities of military alliances in securing peace. Ultimately, they argue for the primacy of conventional deterrence over nuclear arsenals.

Jenny Town, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center and director of 38 North, sheds light on North Korea's hidden complexities. She discusses Kim Jong Un's evolving strategy post-Trump summit, emphasizing his strengthened ties with Russia and China amid a weakening U.S. influence. Town dives into North Korea's nuclear arsenal, highlighting its critical role in defense and diplomacy. The podcast also explores the intricate diplomatic dance between North Korea and Russia, revealing how this relationship helps them counteract international sanctions.