Return of Chinese Journalists to North Korea Marks Tentative Reopening of Foreign Media
Chinese journalists have returned to North Korea after five years due to COVID-19 restrictions. Their return follows selective openings for foreign media, but strict oversight remains. Concerns about media independence persist, as foreign journalists face significant government control and limitations. South Korean broadcasters have shown interest in engaging with North Korea but face public scrutiny over potential bias.
Chinese journalists from state-run outlets, including CCTV and the People’s Daily, have returned to North Korea after a five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to South Korea’s Unification Ministry, this marked a selective opening of North Korea to foreign media, permitting a limited number of outlets to re-establish bureaus in Pyongyang under strict government oversight. Journalists from AP and AFP have not yet returned, and it remains unclear if Russian journalists are back as well.
Alongside the Chinese media’s return, the pro-Pyongyang newspaper Choson Sinbo announced the reopening of its North Korean bureau, concluding a five-year operations suspension caused by the pandemic. This development coincides with North Korea’s mixed signals about reopening its borders, having recently closed its only entry point for foreign tourists after briefly allowing visitors, suggesting hesitation about fully opening amidst concerns over uncontrollable information leaks.
North Korea’s control over foreign media extends to how the establishment of foreign bureaus and residency status for journalists is managed. This process requires approvals from the Korean Central News Agency, the Korean Central Broadcasting Committee, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demonstrating the regime’s tight grip on foreign influence.
Despite the presence of foreign media, there is significant criticism regarding their lack of independent reporting due to restrictions imposed by the North Korean government. Journalists often face surveillance, controlled movements, and assignment of government minders, inhibiting their ability to report objectively. Critics argue that foreign bureaus risk amplifying state propaganda rather than presenting unbiased news.
South Korean public broadcaster KBS has shown interest in establishing a bureau in Pyongyang to foster inter-Korean media cooperation but faced public backlash regarding journalistic independence. Concerns have been raised about potential misuse of such bureaus to funnel foreign funds towards the North Korean government, prompting widespread calls for caution against compromising reporting standards.
The return of Chinese journalists to North Korea signals a cautious reopening of foreign media operations in the country following the pandemic. However, this development occurs alongside significant restrictions on journalistic independence, with reports indicating that media outlets often serve governmental narratives under tight control. The public reaction in South Korea emphasizes the delicate balance between cooperation and independence in reporting, raising questions about the implications of foreign media presence in North Korea.
Original Source: rfa.org
