Jacco Zwetsloot: A look back and a new chapter for the NK News Podcast
North Korea News Podcast by NK NewsShow Notes
In this handover episode of the NK News Podcast, new host Alannah Hill sits down with longtime host Jacco Zwetsloot to look back on his time leading the show since its launch in Feb. 2018.
They revisit the podcast’s first episode with Andrei Lankov, the major North Korea stories that defined that period and how the news beat changed from U.S.-DPRK summit diplomacy to today’s focus on North Korea-Russia ties.
Jacco reflects on some of the most memorable interviews from his roughly 400 episodes, including the extraordinary three-part interview with a U.S. citizen who entered North Korea without authorization, as well as conversations with defectors, diplomats and figures involved in U.S.-DPRK diplomacy.
The episode also takes a look ahead, with Jacco confirming he will remain involved through a monthly podcast series called North Korea Unpacked with Jacco Zwetsloot, while Alannah takes over the main hosting role and focuses on more news-related topics week by week.
About the podcast: The North Korea News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Alannah Hill exclusively for NK News, covering all things DPRK — from news to extended interviews with leading experts and analysts in the field, along with insight from our very own journalists.
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Editor’s note: This interview was recorded in July 2026. Some references to recent events and political developments reflect the situation at the time of recording and may differ from subsequent developments.
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