
The Impossible State
North Korea is the Impossible State. Each episode, join the people who know the most about North Korea for an insiders’ discussion with host H. Andrew Schwartz and Victor Cha about one of the United States’ top national security priorities. Email your questions to ImpossibleState@csis.org.
Latest episodes

May 30, 2025 • 41min
What Are U.S. and NATO Views on China?
In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Ms. Henrietta Levin, and Dr. Luis Simón discussed the Trump administration’s policy toward China, U.S.–China trade relations, the future of U.S. and NATO engagement with China, and more.

May 6, 2025 • 38min
Is Trump ready to Re-engage with North Korea?
In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Mr. Sydney Seiler, and Ms. Yuki Tatsumi discussed the Trump administration’s policy toward North Korea, the possibility of a second Trump–Kim summit, its future direction in relation to the United States, South Korea, and Japan, and more.

Apr 21, 2025 • 39min
Korea, Japan, and the Tariff War
In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Kristi Govella, and Mr. William Reinsch discussed the tariff war, its potential impact on Korea, Japan, and other countries around the world, and more.

Apr 11, 2025 • 34min
The Future of U.S.-ROK-Japan Trilateral Cooperation
In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha and Dr. Michael Green discussed U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation, the Trump administration’s strategy for the Indo-Pacific, and more.

Apr 7, 2025 • 47min
The Constitutional Court Decides Yoon's Fate
In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Yoojin Kim, Andrew Yeo, and Darcie Draudt-Véjares discussed the analysis of the Constitutional Court's unanimous decision on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.

Mar 21, 2025 • 41min
Can Korea Manage Economic Security and Supply Chain Challenges?
In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha and Dr. Hyo-young Lee discussed Korea’s economic security issues, supply chain challenges, the future of U.S.-ROK economic cooperation under the new Trump administration, and more.

Mar 7, 2025 • 38min
When Will the Korean Impeachment Crisis End?
In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Ms. Yoojin Kim, and Mr. Eunjoong Kim discussed South Korea's ongoing political crisis, the future direction of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, the possibility of a new South Korean government, and more.

Feb 21, 2025 • 45min
Implications of South Korea's Political Crisis for Foreign Policy
In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Ambassador Kathleen Stephens, and Dr. Kang Choi discussed how South Korea's current political crisis will impact its foreign policy and its relations with the United States, its neighbors, and more.

Feb 7, 2025 • 47min
North Korean Troops in Russia: Comrades in Arms or Cannon Fodder?
In this episode, Mr. Sydney Seiler and Dr. Seth Jones discussed North Korea and Russia's cooperation for the war in Ukraine, North Korea's deployment of soldiers to support Russia, the Trump Administration's policy to weaken North Korea-Russia cooperation, and more.

Jan 24, 2025 • 38min
What's Next for the Korean Peninsula Under Trump 2.0?
In this episode, Dr. Ellen Kim and Mr. Sydney Seiler discuss the DPRK's recent and anticipated actions, the potential for exploitation of ROK political developments, US policy toward the North under a second Trump administration, and more.