"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. 

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 …  

Episode Notes 

This year marks the 70^th Anniversary of the security alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea. Formed after the end of the Korean war in 1953, the US-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty commits both countries to defending the other in the event of an external attack. To commemorate the past 70 years of cooperation, the International Spy Museum had the pleasure of working with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea on this program. 

In this episode of SpyCast, Andrew had the unprecedented opportunity to interview Dr. Kim, Hyun Woo, former DPRK Agent. Dr. Kim worked for North Korea’s counterintelligence agency for 17 years, and defected to the Republic of Korea in 2014, where he has since lived and worked as a Senior Fellow of the Institute for National Security Strategy. Tune in to this week’s episode to hear the story of Dr. Kim’s exceptional journey firsthand.  

And…  

Every year, Washington, D.C. hosts the Around the World Embassy Tour – Where, for one day and one day only, embassies open their door to the public for a celebration of their country’s food, dance, history, and cultural traditions. If you missed this year, make sure to stop by next year and take a special trip to the Embassy of the ROK to celebrate the people and culture of South Korea. 

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.”

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]

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) 

Articles

• What we can expect from Kim Jong-Un in 2023, J. Mackenzie, BBC (2023)
• North Korean defectors may face deportation by China as COVID border controls ease, A. Kuhn, NPR (2023) 
• North Korea’s Power Structure, E. Albert, Council on Foreign Relations (2020) 
• Intelligence Politicization in the Republic of Korea, H. Seo, International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence (2018)
• The Education of Kim Jong-Un, J. H. Pak, The Brookings Institution (2018) 
• Containing North Korea: The Psychological Profile of Kim Jong Il, A. Immelman, St. John’s University / College of St. Benedict (2012)

Video 

• Secret State of North Korea, J. Jones, Frontline Documentary, PBS (2014) 
• The Hermit Kingdom, VICE on HBO, YouTube (2014)

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!