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Much discussed and often maligned, precious little is known or understood about North Korea, the world’s most controversial and isolated country. Victor Cha attempts to pull back the curtain, providing insights into North Korea’s history, and the rise of the Kim family dynasty. The Impossible State illuminates the regime’s complex economy and culture, its record of human-rights abuses, its relationship with its neighbours and the United States, and analyzes the regime’s major security issues; all in the light of the destabilizing effects of Kim Jong-il’s recent death.

“An up-close, insightful portrait. . . . The Impossible State is a clearheaded, bold examination of North Korea and its future.” (Washington Post )

“Essential reading for all North Korea watchers. . . . An informative and enjoyable read.” (Library Journal (starred review) )

“Cha demonstrates an intimate familiarity with the regime’s contradictions. . . . The thesis is clear: the world’s most closed-off state needs to open up to survive, but breaking its hermetic seal may well precipitate its demise.” (The New Yorker )

“An eye-opening view of the closed, repressive dictatorship of North Korea. . . . A useful, pertinent work for understanding the human story behind the headlines.” (Kirkus Reviews )

Victor Cha

Victor Cha joined Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) in May 2009 as a senior adviser and the inaugural holder of the Korea Chair. He is also a professor of government and director for Asian studies at Georgetown University. From 2004 to 2007, he served as director for Asian affairs at the White House on the National Security Council (NSC). At the NSC, he was responsible for Japan, the two Koreas, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Island nations. He also served as the U.S. deputy head of delegation for the Six-Party Talks. He is a recipient of numerous academic awards, including a Fulbright scholarship (twice) and MacArthur Foundation fellowships. Dr. Cha also spent two years as a John M. Olin National Security Fellow at Harvard University and as a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC). In 1998, he was the Edward Teller National Security Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford. In 2008, he was the William J. Perry Fellow, also at Stanford. He has acted as a consultant on East Asian security issues for different branches of the U.S. government, and he received two Outstanding Service Commendations during his tenure at the White House.

His books include Alignment Despite Antagonism: US-Japan-Korea Security (Stanford, 1999); Nuclear North Korea(Columbia, 2003) with David Kang; and Beyond the Final Score: Politics of Sport in Asia (Columbia, 2009). His next books are Powerplay: Origins of the American Alliance System in Asia (Princeton) and North Korea: The Impossible State (Ecco). He is the coeditor of the new Contemporary Asia Series at Columbia University Press. He serves on the editorial boards of several scholarly journals and recently joined the Board of Advisors for the Center for a New American Security. Dr. Cha is also a frequent contributor and guest analyst for various media outlets, including Chosun Ilbo, Joongang Ilbo, CNN, National Public Radio, New York Times, Washington Post, Time, Newsweek, Asahi Shimbun, and Japan Times. Dr. Cha holds a B.A., an M.I.A., and a Ph.D. from Columbia University, as well as an M.A. Oxford University.