Kim Jong-un Gives the Evening News a Makeover

October 05, 2012 from LinkAsia via MBC

Korean Central Television is the latest target in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's crusade to project a more modern and dynamic image. South Korea's MBC reports on the changes to North Korea's only news broadcast.

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North Korea

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly called North Korea, is a country in East Asia, in the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital is Pyongyang, the country's largest city by both land area and population. The Amnok River and the Tumen River form the ... Explore this topic

Kim Jong-un

Kim Jong-un —also romanised as Kim Jong-eun, Kim Jong Un or Kim Jung-eun—is the supreme leader of North Korea, the son of Kim Jong-il and the grandson of Kim Il-sung. He has held the titles of the First Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Chairman of the Central Mili... Explore this topic

Korean Central Television

Korean Central Television is a state news broadcaster in North Korea, located in the capital city, Pyongyang. KCTV is the only official source of television news for North Koreans. KCTV is part of the Korean Central Broadcasting System, the state-owned media network of the Dem... Explore this topic

Pyongyang

Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255... Explore this topic

Workers' Party of Korea

The Workers' Party of Korea is the ruling political party of North Korea. It is also called the Korean Workers' Party. The WPK has been the ruling party in the DPRK since its foundation and has had as its leaders, Kim Il-sung, his son, Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-il′s youngest so... Explore this topic

News broadcasting

News broadcasting is the broadcasting of various news events and other information via television, radio or internet in the field of broadcast journalism. The content is usually either produced locally in a radio studio or television studio newsroom, or by a broadcast network.... Explore this topic

South Korea

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a sovereign state located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The name "Korea" is derived from Goryeo, a dynasty which ruled in the Middle Ages. Its neighbors are China to the west, Japan to the east, and North Korea ... Explore this topic

Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation

MBC is one of four major national South Korean television and radio networks, and is the oldest among all commercial broadcasting networks in South Korea. Munhwa is the Korean word for "culture". Its flagship terrestrial television station is Channel 11 for Digital. Twice gove... Explore this topic

LinkAsia

From Beijng to Tokyo, from Seoul to New Delhi and beyond, LinkAsia takes viewers into media about Asia -- from Asia -- offering unfiltered insight into one of the most diverse, fast-paced regions of the globe. Each week, LinkAsia brings you a unique half-hour program that co... Explore this topic

Yul Kwon

Yul Kwon is an American television host and former government official, lawyer, and management consultant based in Virginia. He first gained national recognition as the winner of the reality TV show Survivor: Cook Islands in 2006. He is currently hosting the TV series America ... Explore this topic

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North Korea

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Transcript

Yul Kwon:
Ever since Kim Jong-un assumed the top leadership post in North Korea, he's been trying to project a more modern and dynamic image than his late father, Kim Jong-il. His latest project? Giving the evening news a makeover. It's all part of Kim's efforts to bring his country up to speed with what he calls "global trends." Here's our South Korean broadcast partner, MBC.

Reporter:
Here, North Korea's only broadcaster, Korean Central Television, or KCTV, presents its main news program. Anchors in a brightly-lit studio laugh while exchanging jokes.

North Korean News Anchor:
"...the entire country is boisterous like boiling water..."

Reporter:
News related video plays in the background. And, whereas before newscasts had a solo anchor, broadcasts now resemble South Korean news. And shockingly, sports news. Game highlights from professional soccer leagues in Spain, Germany, Argentina, and more come on ten minutes before the weather forecast.

North Korean News Anchor:
This game is between Bayern Munich versus Schalke 04.

Reporter:
It is very rare for North Korea to cover foreign professional leagues. Since sports highlights have been airing since the end of last month, it's likely they'll now be a regularly featured segment during the newscast. It is believed that these changes are a result of Kim Jung-un's experience studying overseas. Some experts said that this change is a move to brand Kim Jong-un as 'a reformer,' distinct from his father Kim Jong-il.

Yul Kwon:
The format change doesn't necessarily mean that the stories themselves have changed. For example, the headline for the lead story from KCTV on Tuesday read: 'Kim Jong-un greets Chinese Party and State leaders.' Not exactly heart-pounding stuff.

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