Chinese Journalists Return to North Korea After Five-Year Absence

Chinese journalists from state-run media have returned to North Korea after five years, marking a selective reopening of foreign media access. This return occurs amid mixed signals from North Korea regarding the reopening of its borders. Concerns persist about the independence of foreign media due to strict government controls and potential propagation of state propaganda.

Chinese journalists from state-run media, including CCTV and the People’s Daily, have made their return to North Korea after a five-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Unification, this return marks a selective reopening by North Korea, which has allowed a small number of foreign media outlets to set up operations in Pyongyang under strict regulation.

Only a limited number of foreign media outlets, including agencies from China, Russia, Japan, and a few Western entities such as the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse, have received permission to establish their presence in North Korea. During the pandemic, the regime enforced stringent border controls, prompting many foreign journalists to leave. The Chinese journalists entered on February 27; however, it remains uncertain if Russian reporters have also returned.

Additionally, the pro-Pyongyang Japanese newspaper, Choson Sinbo, announced the reopening of its North Korean bureau, which had been inactive for five years due to the pandemic. In their statement, they expressed the relief of resuming operations after the unforeseen break caused by the “malignant epidemic”.

This development comes amidst mixed signals from Pyongyang regarding the reopening of its borders. Recently, North Korea reversed its decision to allow foreign tourists, just weeks after reopening, suggesting possible internal concerns regarding information dissemination. Until last month, only Russians had been permitted into North Korea for limited group tours since September 2023.

The establishment of foreign media bureaus is tightly governed by North Korean agencies, including the Korean Central News Agency and the Korean Central Broadcasting Committee, which must obtain approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after securing consent from the regime’s Propaganda and Agitation Department.

Foreign media in North Korea face external criticism concerning their independence due to the regime’s strict controls. Journalists often experience monitoring of their movements and are typically accompanied by government minders, greatly limiting their reporting capabilities. Critics contend that these foreign bureaus may inadvertently support state propaganda instead of providing unbiased news.

In 2021, South Korean public broadcaster KBS showed interest in establishing a bureau in Pyongyang for better inter-Korean media cooperation and coverage. However, public backlash ensued, correlating to concerns over media independence and potential compromises in journalistic integrity. The then-opposition People’s Power Party raised accusations regarding the use of such a bureau as a conduit for foreign monetary support to the North Korean government, thereby questioning the fiscal responsibility involving South Korean taxpayers’ funds.

The return of Chinese journalists to North Korea signifies a cautious reopening of foreign media access, although it raises concerns about journalistic independence and potential propaganda amplification. The North Korean regime continues to impose stringent regulations on foreign entities, which may affect the objectivity of news reporting. Hence, the media landscape in Pyongyang remains complex, surrounded by issues of governmental control and the ongoing debate about the ethical responsibilities of journalists in such environments.

Original Source: rfa.org