[Uploaded by C. Y. Lee on Saturday, December 10, 2005]
Broadcaster starts service for North
The JoongAng Daily, December 10, 2005
A radio station which will broadcast outside news to citizens of North Korea started up Wednesday. The station, “Open North Korea Broadcasting,” does not produce its own programs, but airs content provided by outside organizations.
“There has been a stereotype that broadcasts targeting a North Korean audience must criticize the North Korean regime,” said Ha Tae-gyeong, secretary-general of the station.
“But this is an open radio station. We are willing to air programs presenting positive views about the North Korean regime.” The first broadcast was made for an hour starting at midnight and featured reports on an international conference in Seoul on North Korean human rights.
The radio station began preparations last fall and the first trial program was aired in March this year. The final testing for operations were finished at the end of last month. The broadcaster said it had contacted some supporters inside North Korea to check the quality of reception.
The station has its headquarters in Washington, D.C. because South Korean laws governing broadcasting transmissions are extremely strict. Concerned by expected attempts by North Korea to block its transmissions, the station keeps the location of its transmitting facilities secret, although the secrecy would have no effect on the North’s ability to jam the signal.
“I wanted the human rights issues in North Korea to be addressed in the light of true humanity, rather than using it as a means of confrontation with and criticism of the Kim Jong-il regime,” said Mr. Ha, adding
“I established this service with my own money to make a contribution.”Open North Korea Broadcasting transmits for an hour daily starting at midnight on 5,880 kHz. The programs can be heard with a short-wave radio. The Seoul office of the station will take telephone inquiries at 02-737-4880.
by Lee Young-jong
12-10-2005, 04:01 PM
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