In this episode of the Young Pioneer Podcast, host Justin Martell takes us into the world of North Korea through the eyes of American journalist Will Ripley, a CNN senior correspondent well-known both north and south of the 38th parallel for his extensive reporting on the Hermit Kingdom. With 19 visits to North Korea since 2014, Ripley has been able to gain significant access to the secretive state, shedding light on its political landscape, human rights issues, and the effects of international sanctions.

S3, Ep 4: Behind the Headlines – Interview with CNN's Will Ripley on Covering North Korea – The Young Pioneer Podcast

Send us a textIn our latest episode of the Young Pioneer Podcast, host Justin Martell had the privilege of speaking with Will Ripley, CNN’s Senior International Correspondent known for his extensive coverage of North Korea. With 19 visits to the Hermit Kingdom, Will offers a unique perspective on life in one of the world’s most enigmatic countries. For more information on how you can visit our "destinations your mother wishes you'd stayed away from" visit us at youngpioneertours.com.

1. S3, Ep 4: Behind the Headlines – Interview with CNN's Will Ripley on Covering North Korea 01:07:26
2. S3, Ep 3: The Black Girl from Pyongyang – Interview with Monica Macias 01:17:03
3. S3, Ep 2: Mile High Club, Death Threats & US Ban – Interview with Aviation YouTuber Josh Cahill 02:41:12
4. S3, Ep 1: Visiting Papua New Guinea's Mount Hagen Festival 26:41
5. S2, Ep 6: June, 2024 North Korea Travel Update & Dr. Calvin Sun Interview 01:08:45

You can also listen via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your preferred podcast platform.

What Makes this Interview with Will Ripley Unique?

As two Americans working in North Korea in different fields, Will Ripley and Justin Martell share their personal approaches to engaging with the country in an honest and constructive manner. For Will and CNN, the challenge lies in maintaining integrity in his reporting while navigating the sensitivities that arise from North Korea’s distinctive worldview and official narrative – both of which often contradict Western perspectives and historical accounts. His efforts to gain access to previously restricted areas have allowed him to conduct interviews with American prisoners detained in North Korea and witness significant events, such as the 2018 destruction of the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site.

For Justin and Young Pioneer Tours, the focus is on crafting an authentic experience for tourists while collaborating with North Korean counterparts to expand access to more of the country. This approach has led to unique opportunities, such as being the first American videographer to film the entire Pyongyang metro, aimed at promoting tourism and dispelling the myth that the metro is merely a facade designed to impress a few Western visitors.

Since September 1st, 2017, Americans have been prohibited from using their US passports to visit the DPRK due to a law enacted by the US State Department, which has been renewed annually by both the Trump and Biden administrations. It is still uncertain whether this renewal will occur again this September.

In the context of the US travel ban, Will Ripley covered Justin’s return to North Korea, this time as a dual citizen of Saint Kitts & Nevis traveling on that passport, during the brief reopening of the Rason Special Economic Zone to Western tourists in February and March of 2025. This visit made headlines YPT was the first Western travel company, and Justin was the first American dual citizen, to enter North Korea since the country closed its borders to tourism in January 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A week later, Justin and Young Pioneer Tours again captured attention when he led the first group of Western tourists back into the country since 2020. Will interviewed YPT travelers, including Wendy Arbeit, an American-German dual citizen who completed her journey to all 195 UN-recognized states with her visit to North Korea, and UK influencer Mike O’Kennedy, whose video about his trip to Rason with Young Pioneer Tours has since garnered millions of views.

Why Should You Stay Updated on Will Ripley’s Coverage of North Korea?

Will Ripley’s reporting highlights the contrasting narratives put forth by the North Korean government and those of the Western world, and how these perspectives impact the everyday realities faced by North Korean citizens. From covering significant events like nuclear tests and diplomatic negotiations to exploring the cultural and economic dynamics of life in North Korea, Will contextualizes the complexities of North Korea within a larger geopolitical context. His commitment to revealing the truths behind a nation often shrouded in secrecy has established him as a key figure in North Korean studies. Join us as we explore his Will’s journey and the unique stories he has to share in this special episode.

About Post Author

Justin Martell

Justin Martell is a filmmaker and author living in New York City. He has shot documentaries and promotional videos in North Korea and, in 2017, co-founded YPT’s partner, Pioneer Media, offering production services across a wide variety of unique locations from Asia to Eastern Europe. For more information on all of Pioneer Media’s filming locales and services for filmmakers and journalists, visit mediapioneers.net.

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