Recent changes in North Korean Central TV
KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) reported in July 2005 that North Korea’s state-run Chosun Central TV is beginning to change. The first sign was the appearance of a different announcer’s backdrop for news programs.
PIC 1. North Korean Chosun Central TV (captured by South Korean KBS1)
Prior to May 2005, the announcer’s backdrop was a solid, monotonous color with no images, But now they use a spectacular picture of downtown Pyongyang and the Daedong River.
Older announcers were also replaced with younger more attractive anchors dressed in Western suits instead of traditional Korean clothing.
PIC 2. The change of announcers to a younger generation.
The overall atmosphere of North Korean television programs is also brighter than before.
PIC 3. More natural and bright atmosphere is perceived.
At the beginning of this year, Chosun Central TV began to show a greater interest in aesthetics, most prominently in the announcer’s wardrobe and the use of more scenic backdrops.
The use of animation and computer graphics has also increased.
PIC 4 Animation and computer graphics appearing on NK Chosun Central TV
New sections have also been introduced, where reporters talk with announcers about specific issues. Previously the announcer broadcast news rigidly in a voice of high authority according to strict protocols and instructions. You can see the exchange between the announcer and reporter through this link:
(http://news.kbs.co.kr/news.php?id=762949&kind=c)
This is the first trial of the new format in broadcasting. We can perceive more natural attitudes and a brighter atmosphere than appeared in older North Korean programs. But the new format is still unnatural to most South Koreans.
Chosun Central TV also adopted a big PDP (plasma display panel) television in their news studio, which is used for showing symbolic pictures to illustrate particular issues. The PDP is standard at most broadcasting stations in the rest of the world.
South Korea’s YONHAP news agency also reported recently that Chosun Central TV has started partial VOD service, which lets you watch their programs through the internet, on the main North Korean propaganda website (www.dprkorea.com), beginning this September.
PIC 5. NK website which is known to have VOD of Chosun Central TV news.
(source: picture by YONHAP news agency)
Despite the changes in format and appearance, the content of North Korean broadcasts remains the same. The proportion of Kim Il Sung’s injunctions and Kim Jong Il’s instructions and teachings, the essence of North Korean television programming, has not changed.
- Here is a link to the original KBS VOD report on these changes.
http://news.kbs.co.kr/article/news9/200507/20050715/752109.html