TV Interview with North Korea expert

Just when I was starting to bemoan the fact that I'm not as involved in news production as I'd like to be, I've been presented with an opportunity to conduct an interesting interview tomorrow. Today is a national holiday in South Korea, Foundation Day, so I have the day off, but Sophia called around noon to let me know that she scheduled an interview for tomorrow with an expert on North Korea. Daniel Pinkston is a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, a non-profit organization that works to resolve international conflicts and help prevent deadly contact.

The inter-Korean summit held this week, the first of its kind in seven years, has livened the news scene around Seoul, creating an exciting atmosphere for an energetic and inquisitive journie like myself. Although Sophia was calling mostly to warn me that I should dress nicely and " . . . kind of put on some makeup or something . . . " I perceived her heads-up as more of an opportunity to delve into some research and start learning more about inter-Korean relations. I already know the South Korean perception of North Korea is of a different tenor than I had assumed, or at least that there are issues more salient in the minds of South Koreans than the nuclear issue. Beyond that, I feel very UNknowledgable about the relationship.

Although we're using the interview for our English radio service, the KBS Internet service is going to take advantage of the opportunity and broadcast video of the interview on the KBS website (hence the need to dress nicely and "maybe wear some makeup or something").

I'm very excited to be handed the task of conducting this interview, and am loving the thrill I get from the associated research and investigation. The high of the news chase is an addictive buzz I haven't felt in quite awhile. I'm so happy to be back at it. So, it's time to get busy!