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Donald Kirk is a journalist and the author of several books about Asian affairs, including Korea Betrayed: Kim Dae Jung and Sunshine (2009); Okinawa and Jeju: Bases of Discontent (2013); Kim Dae Jung and the Quest for the Nobel (with Kim Kisam, 2016)Send him a tip: tips@thedailybeast.com. You can also use our anonymous document submission system, SecureDrop. Click here to find out how.

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opinion

Trump’s Betrayal of Ukraine Should Make Another Ally Tremble

YOU’RE NEXT

They might think they’re safe—but Trump is giving the world every reason to think otherwise.

Donald Kirk | Published Mar 25, 2025
opinion

Why Trump Is Watching South Korea’s Martial Law Horror

TAKING NOTES

The temptation for Trump to emulate South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol will be overwhelming.

Donald Kirk | Published Dec 04, 2024

Meet the Woman Who Could Start a Whole New Nuclear Standoff

ROCKET MAN SHOWDOWN

South Koreans no longer trust the U.S. to keep them safe, and new presidential hopeful Na Kyung-won is leading the charge to bring in their own nukes.

Donald Kirk | Published Jul 14, 2024
exclusive

Floating Poop Attack Set to Escalate North Korea Balloon War

HOT AIR

The activist who has been floating balloons over the border into North Korea for years has big plans to avenge the excrement-filled vessels sent into the South.

Donald Kirk | Published May 31, 2024

One of the World’s Richest Women Sentenced to Execution

BACK DOWN TO EARTH

Multi-billionaire real estate maven had 1,000 properties seized before she was given the harshest possible sentence after a gaudy show trial.

Donald Kirk, Jim Laurie | Published Apr 11, 2024

Why Some Insiders Fear North Korea Will Fire Nukes This Year

COUNTDOWN

Bolstered by his backers in Beijing and Moscow—where Putin is closer to him than ever—Kim Jong Un is looking to stage an attack and prepping for nuclear war.

Donald Kirk | Published Feb 05, 2024
exclusive

The Plot to Kill Kim Jong Un

WATCH YOUR BACK

An assassination plot financed by South Korea’s intel agency succeeded in recruiting an asset in Kim’s elite power circles, according to sources close to the plot.

Donald Kirk | Published Nov 27, 2023

The Grim Endgame of Putin and Kim Jong Un’s New Lovefest

DATE NIGHT

The North Korean dictator’s visit to Russia threatens “deeply troubling” consequences for the U.S., experts say.

Donald Kirk | Published Sep 13, 2023

A Fugitive Cult’s Dream Life in Fiji Threatens to Fall Apart

PARADISE LOST

Doomsday cult that bought up huge swathes of Fiji after fleeing South Korea faces annihilation as the Pacific nation turns against them.

Donald Kirk | Published Sep 09, 2023

How a Massive Scout Event Spiraled Into ‘Fyre Fest’ for Kids

MELTDOWN

Six years and tens of million of dollars later, the 2023 World Scout Jamboree has culminated in what some say is a national embarrassment.

Donald Kirk | Published Aug 09, 2023

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