Voice of Korea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Voice of Korea | |
| Type | Radio network |
|---|---|
| Country |  DPR Korea |
| Availability | International |
| Owner | Government of North Korea |
| Launch date | October 14, 1945 |
Voice of Korea is the international broadcasting service of North Korea. It broadcasts primarily propaganda in Korean, Chinese, Spanish, German, English, French, Russian, Japanese, and Arabic. Until 2002 it was known as Radio Pyongyang.
Voice of Korea broadcasts on HF or shortwave radio frequencies, including some lower frequencies receivable on common AM radios for broadcasts aimed at neighboring countries. Broadcasts are subject to frequent power cuts and scheduling can be unreliable. Some frequencies broadcast are well out of the ITU allocated shortwave broadcast bands, making them less susceptible to interference but less likely to be listenable on older receivers.
Voice of Korea's programs typically last 58 minutes, and describe the accomplishments of "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-il, and the devotion of the North Korean people to him; as well as propaganda extolling former leader Kim Il-sung and other members of the Kim family, particularly Kim Jong-suk, Kim Jong-il's mother. The "news" segment generally relates only the activities of Kim Jong Il, mostly with a strong anti-American and anti-Japanese bias, using terms such as "imperialist American aggressors". Prior to 2000 Radio Pyongyang also broadcast strongly anti-South Korean propaganda, most often describing them as "puppets" of the U.S., but this was toned down after the meeting between Kim Jong-il and Kim Dae-jung. (See Sunshine policy) Broadcasts typically start with the national anthem of North Korea and end with North Korean traditional or popular music, itself usually about the Kims.
Because it essentially replicates the news bulletins of the Korean Central News Agency (essentially reporting as a priority reports of the deeds of the leaders, Party and official matters of state, denigrating enemies and not reporting at all about any negative domestic matters, such as crime or accidents) and its overt policy of propagandising about the country, it is often mocked by shortwave radio listeners.
Voice of Korea's Japanese programming is produced by Chongryon.
