Return of Chinese Journalists to North Korea: Implications and Concerns

Chinese journalists from state-run media have returned to North Korea after five years. North Korea has selectively reopened to foreign media under strict controls. Journalists are closely monitored and controlled, raising concerns over independent reporting and potential amplification of state propaganda. Recent border closures signal mixed intentions regarding foreign access, reflecting the ongoing complexities in North Korea’s media relations.

Chinese journalists from state media outlets, including CCTV and the People’s Daily, have returned to North Korea after a five-year absence necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The South Korean Ministry of Unification announced this development, highlighting North Korea’s selective openness to foreign media, which includes a limited number of outlets able to operate in its capital, Pyongyang. Chinese, Russian, Japanese, and some Western media agencies, such as the Associated Press (AP) and Agence France-Presse (AFP), have been granted access under stringent government oversight.

Foreign journalists were expelled from North Korea as part of its strict pandemic border control measures. The Chinese journalists entered North Korea on February 27, according to the South’s Ministry of Unification, although journalists from AP and AFP have not yet returned. It remains uncertain whether Russian journalists have re-entered the country. Additionally, the pro-Pyongyang newspaper, Choson Sinbo, based in Japan, has announced the reopening of its North Korean bureau after a five-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

This news emerges as North Korea exhibits mixed signals regarding the reopening of its borders to foreigners. Recently, the country closed its sole gateway for foreign tourists after briefly allowing them to enter, prompting speculation regarding underlying motives—possibly concerns regarding the uncontrolled dissemination of information. For several months prior, only Russian tourists had been permitted into North Korea for limited tours following a gap since the COVID-19 restrictions were imposed in 2020.

The establishment of foreign media bureaus and the residency status of journalists in North Korea are under the purview of the Korean Central News Agency and the Korean Central Broadcasting Committee. These agencies must receive prior approval from the Propaganda and Agitation Department of the Workers’ Party before submitting residency applications to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign media operating within North Korea frequently encounter external criticism due to their perceived lack of independent reporting. Journalists are subjected to intensive monitoring, controlled movements, and often assigned government minders, significantly obstructing their ability to report freely. Critics assert that the presence of foreign media in Pyongyang may exacerbate state propaganda efforts rather than deliver unbiased news content.

In 2021, South Korean public broadcaster KBS expressed interest in establishing a bureau in Pyongyang, aiming to enhance inter-Korean media collaboration and facilitate direct coverage from North Korea. However, this proposal faced criticism from the South Korean public concerning journalistic independence and potential compromises in the integrity of reporting. Moreover, the then-opposition People’s Power Party raised concerns that such a bureau could become a conduit for foreign funds to the North Korean government, accusing the administration of misappropriating taxpayer funds.

In summary, the return of Chinese journalists to North Korea marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to foreign media after five years of restrictions due to the pandemic. While North Korea is selectively allowing foreign media operations, the regime’s stringent oversight raises concerns about journalistic independence and the potential spread of state propaganda. The mixed signals regarding border openings further complicate the situation, illustrating the complex dynamics at play in North Korea’s interactions with foreign entities.

Original Source: rfa.org