
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

Jul 3, 2025 • 33min
Special Conversation with Senator Andy Kim
Join us for a bonus episode of the Impossible State Live podcast, recorded during the Looking Forward: The Future of United States–Japan–Korea Trilateral Relations event on June 18, 2025. Senator Andy Kim engaged in a conversation with Victor Cha to discuss the key challenges and opportunities across various sectors that will shape the future of trilateral relations among U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific.

Jun 24, 2025 • 35min
Getting Started: The New Lee Jae-myung Government
In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Mr. Jake Kwon, and Mr. Wonchul Kim discussed recent political developments under President Lee’s administration, outcomes of the G7 Summit, and the future direction of U.S.–ROK and U.S.–ROK–Japan relations.

Jun 9, 2025 • 44min
South Korea's New President
In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Pacheco Pardo, and Mr. Sydney Seiler discussed South Korea’s new president, the foreign policy challenges facing the incoming administration, and the implications of the election for U.S.–ROK relations and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

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.