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Voice of Korea | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 14 October 1945 |
| Type | International radio broadcaster |
| Headquarters | Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea |
| Website | https://www.vok.rep.kp/ |
Voice of Korea (Korean: 조선의 소리, Chosŏn-ŭi Sori), formerly Radio Pyongyang, is the international radio broadcasting service of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). It broadcasts news, political commentary, music, cultural programming and other material concerning the DPRK to audiences abroad.
Radio Pyongyang began broadcasting in October 1945, shortly after the liberation of Korea from Japanese colonial rule. Its international service began on 16 March 1947 with a Chinese-language broadcast. Japanese broadcasts began in 1950, English in 1951, French and Russian in 1963, Spanish in 1965, Arabic in 1970 and German in 1983.[1] The service adopted the name Voice of Korea in 2002.[2]
Voice of Korea forms part of the DPRK's international media and provides the country's own perspective on domestic and international affairs. Its broadcasts regularly cover the activities and policies of the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government, Korean history and culture, socialist construction, Korean reunification and opposition to imperialism. It consequently provides an important primary source for the DPRK's positions on events which are frequently presented internationally almost exclusively through hostile Western and south Korean media.
History
Radio broadcasting from Pyongyang began following the liberation of Korea from Japanese colonial occupation in 1945. Radio Pyongyang was established in October and formally began programming on 14 October 1945, when it broadcast a speech delivered by Kim Il Sung following his return to Pyongyang.[3]
The first foreign-language transmission was made in Chinese on 16 March 1947. The international service subsequently expanded alongside the development of the DPRK's broadcasting infrastructure. Japanese-language programming began in 1950 and English-language broadcasting in 1951. French and Russian services followed in 1963, Spanish in 1965, Arabic in 1970 and German in 1983.[4]
Radio Pyongyang expanded considerably during the period of socialist construction. It transmitted 159 hours of programming per week by 1960, increasing to 330 hours in 1970 and 597 hours by 1980.[5]
The station was renamed Voice of Korea in 2002.[6]
International broadcasting has provided the DPRK with a means of communicating directly with foreign audiences despite the political isolation, economic sanctions and military pressure imposed upon the country by the United States and its allies.
Programming
Voice of Korea broadcasts news, political commentary, historical and cultural features, music and programmes concerning social and economic development in the DPRK.
A typical foreign-language transmission lasts approximately 57 minutes. Broadcasts begin on the hour with an interval signal consisting of the opening notes of the Song of General Kim Il Sung, followed by the announcement "This is Voice of Korea". The national anthem of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Song of General Kim Il Sung and Song of General Kim Jong Il are then played.[7]
News bulletins largely consist of reports also distributed by the Korean Central News Agency, adapted for radio. These are followed by music and feature programmes. Broadcasts have also included readings from Kim Il Sung's memoirs With the Century, historical programmes, political commentary and reports concerning Korean culture and socialist construction. A transmission normally concludes with an announcement of frequencies and a sign-off.[7]
The different foreign-language services make extensive use of common programme material, with spoken portions translated into the respective language.
Broadcasting
Voice of Korea primarily uses shortwave radio, allowing its broadcasts to be received over large distances without dependence upon foreign telecommunications infrastructure. Japanese-language programming is additionally transmitted on 621 kHz medium wave towards Japan.[8]
Most international broadcasts originate from the Kujang shortwave transmitting station. The facility has five 200 kW transmitters and is situated approximately 25 km from Kujang. Additional transmitting facilities have operated at Kanggye, with five 200 kW transmitters, and Pyongyang, with ten 200 kW transmitters.[9][10]
Voice of Korea uses multiple frequencies simultaneously in order to direct the same language service towards different regions. Broadcast targets have included Europe, North America, Central and South America, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Southern Africa, Russia, China and Japan.
Frequencies vary according to season. Summer frequencies are generally used from late March until late October, with winter frequencies used from late October until the end of March. The frequencies below reproduce the schedule published by Voice of Korea in July 2024.[11] All times are in UTC. Frequencies marked "v" are variable and may drift slightly from the stated frequency.
English
All English-language shortwave broadcasts are transmitted from Kujang.
| Time (UTC) | Frequencies (kHz) | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 04:00–04:57 | 11735, 13760.02, 15179.95 | Central and South America |
| 10:00–10:57 | 11709.96, 15180.24v Winter: 6170.1, 9434.97 |
Central and South America |
| 13:00–13:57 | 13760.41v, 15245.25 Winter: 7570.24v, 12015.21 |
Europe |
| 15:00–15:57 | 13760.41v, 15245.25 Winter: 7570.24v, 12015.21 |
Europe |
| 18:00–18:57 | 13760.41v, 15245.25 Winter: 7570.24v, 12015.21 |
Europe |
| 21:00–21:57 | 13760.41v, 15245.25 Winter: 7570.24v, 12015.21 |
Europe |
| 16:00–16:57 | 9890.01, 11645 | Middle East and North Africa |
| 19:00–19:57 | 9875.01, 11635 | Middle East and North Africa |
| 13:00–13:57 | 9435, 11709.96 | North America |
| 15:00–15:57 | 9435, 11709.96 | North America |
| 04:00–04:57 | 7220, 9445.29v, 9730 | Northeast Asia |
| 06:00–06:57 | 7220, 9445.29v, 9730 | Northeast Asia |
| 19:00–19:57 | 7210, 11909.96 | Southern Africa |
| 05:00–05:57 | 13650.22, 15105.26v | Southeast Asia |
| 10:00–10:57 | 11735.01v, 13650 Winter: 6185, 9850 |
Southeast Asia |
Arabic
| Time (UTC) | Frequencies (kHz) | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 15:00–15:57 | 9890.01, 11645 | Middle East and North Africa |
| 17:00–17:57 | 9890.01, 11645 | Middle East and North Africa |
Chinese
| Time (UTC) | Frequencies (kHz) | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 21:00–21:57 | 9875.01, 11635 | China |
| 22:00–23:57 | 9875.01, 11635 | China |
| 05:00–05:57 | 7220, 9445.29v, 9730 | Northeast Asia |
| 08:00–08:57 | 7220, 9445.29v | Northeast Asia |
| 11:00–11:57 | 7220, 9445.29v | Northeast Asia |
| 21:00–21:57 | 7235, 9444.97 | Northeast Asia |
| 22:00–22:57 | 7235, 9444.97 | Northeast Asia |
| 13:00–13:57 | 11735.01v, 13650 Winter: 6185, 9850 |
Southeast Asia |
| 03:00–03:57 | 13650.22, 15105.26v | Southeast Asia |
| 06:00–06:57 | 13650.22, 15105.26v | Southeast Asia |
French
| Time (UTC) | Frequencies (kHz) | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 06:00–06:57 | 11735, 13760.02v, 15179.95 | Central and South America |
| 11:00–11:57 | 11709.96, 15180.24 Winter: 6170.1, 9435 |
Central and South America |
| 14:00–14:57 | 13760.41v, 15245.25 Winter: 7570.24v, 12015.21 |
Europe |
| 16:00–16:57 | 13760.41v, 15245.25 Winter: 7570.24v, 12015.21 |
Europe |
| 20:00–20:57 | 13760.41v, 15245.25 Winter: 7570.24v, 12015.21 |
Europe |
| 14:00–14:57 | 9435, 11709.96 | North America |
| 16:00–16:57 | 9435, 11709.96 | North America |
| 04:00–04:57 | 13650.22, 15105.26v | Southeast Asia |
| 11:00–11:57 | 11735.01v, 13650 Winter: 6185, 9850.01 |
Southeast Asia |
| 18:00–18:57 | 7210, 11909.96 | Southern Africa |
| 18:00–18:57 | 9875.01, 11635 | Middle East and North Africa |
German
| Time (UTC) | Frequencies (kHz) | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 16:00–16:57 | 9425, 12015.21 Winter: 6170.1, 9425 |
Europe |
| 18:00–18:57 | 9425, 12015.21 Winter: 6170.1, 9425 |
Europe |
| 19:00–19:57 | 9425, 12015.21 Winter: 6170.1, 9425 |
Europe |
Japanese
Japanese-language broadcasting uses both shortwave and 621 kHz medium wave. Most transmissions originate from Kujang; the supplied schedule identifies 621 kHz as transmitted from Chongjin-Ranam and 6070 kHz from Kanggye.
| Time (UTC) | Frequencies (kHz) | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 07:00–07:57 | 621, 9650, 11865.21v Winter: 621, 7580, 9650 |
Japan |
| 08:00–08:50 | 621, 9650, 11865.21v Winter: 621, 7580, 9650 |
Japan |
| 09:00–09:57 | 621, 6070, 9650, 11865.21v Winter: 621, 6070, 7580, 9650 |
Japan |
| 10:00–10:50 | 621, 6070, 9650, 11865.21v Winter: 621, 6070, 7580, 9650 |
Japan |
| 11:00–11:57 | 621, 6070, 9650, 11865.21v Winter: 621, 6070, 7580, 9650 |
Japan |
| 12:00–12:50 | 621, 6070, 9650, 11865.21v Winter: 621, 6070, 7580, 9650 |
Japan |
| 21:00–21:50 | 621, 9650, 11865.21v Winter: 621, 7580.13, 9650 |
Japan |
| 22:00–22:57 | 621, 9650, 11865.21v Winter: 621, 7580.13, 9650 |
Japan |
| 23:00–23:50 | 621, 9650, 11865.21v Winter: 621, 7580.13, 9650 |
Japan |
Russian
| Time (UTC) | Frequencies (kHz) | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 07:00–07:57 | 9875, 11735.01v (Far East), 15245.25 (European) | Russia |
| 08:00–08:57 | 9875, 11735.01v (Far East), 15245.25 (European) | Russia |
| 14:00–14:57 | 9425, 12015.21 Winter: 6170.1, 9425 |
European Russia |
| 15:00–15:57 | 9425, 12015.21 Winter: 6170.1, 9425 |
European Russia |
| 17:00–17:57 | 9425, 12015.21 Winter: 6170.1, 9425 |
European Russia |
Spanish
| Time (UTC) | Frequencies (kHz) | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 03:00–03:57 | 11735, 13760.02v, 15179.95 | Central and South America |
| 05:00–05:57 | 11735, 13760.02v, 15179.95 | Central and South America |
| 19:00–19:57 | 13760.41v, 15245.25 Winter: 7570.24v, 12015.21 |
Europe |
| 22:00–22:57 | 13760.41v, 15245.25 Winter: 7570.24v, 12015.21 |
Europe |
Korean
Voice of Korea's transmitting network also carries Korean-language international transmissions derived from the Korean Central Broadcasting Station. These use a somewhat different programme format from the foreign-language services.
| Time (UTC) | Frequencies (kHz) | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00–09:50 | 7220, 9445.29v | Northeast Asia |
| 12:00–12:50 | 11709.96, 15180.24v Winter: 6170.1, 9434.97 |
Central and South America |
| 12:00–12:50 | 11735.01v, 13650 Winter: 6185, 9850 |
Southeast Asia |
| 14:00–14:50 | 11735.01v, 13650 Winter: 6185, 9850 |
Southeast Asia |
| 17:00–17:50 | 13760.41v, 15245.25 Winter: 7570.24v, 12015.21 |
Europe |
| 17:00–17:50 | 9435, 11709.96 | North America |
| 20:00–20:50 | 9425, 12015.21 Winter: 6170.1, 9425 |
Europe |
| 20:00–20:50 | 7210, 11909.96 | Southern Africa |
| 20:00–20:50 | 9875.01, 11635 | Middle East and North Africa |
| 23:00–23:50 | 13760.41v, 15245.25 Winter: 7570.24v, 12015.21 |
Europe |
| 23:00–23:50 | 7235, 9444.97, 9875.01, 11635 | Northeast Asia |
Role
Voice of Korea serves as an international outlet for the DPRK, communicating directly with foreign listeners rather than relying upon foreign governments and media organizations to interpret the country's positions.
This role is particularly significant because information concerning the DPRK outside Korea is heavily shaped by the media institutions of states politically and militarily hostile to it. The United States also operates international broadcasting directed towards Korea, including Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, as instruments of its foreign policy. Voice of Korea provides an opposing perspective produced by the DPRK itself.
See also
External links
References
- ↑ James Wood (2000). History of International Broadcasting (p. 158). IET.
- ↑ James E. Hoare (2012). Historical Dictionary of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (p. 395). Scarecrow Press.
- ↑ James E. Hoare (2012). Historical Dictionary of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (p. 395). Scarecrow Press.
- ↑ James Wood (2000). History of International Broadcasting (p. 158). IET.
- ↑ James Wood (2000). History of International Broadcasting (pp. 20, 158). IET.
- ↑ James E. Hoare (2012). Historical Dictionary of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (p. 395). Scarecrow Press.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Martyn Williams (2014-03-27). "Voice of Korea mid-2014 schedule" North Korea Tech. Archived from the original on 2014-10-25.
- ↑ James E. Hoare (2012). Historical Dictionary of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (p. 395). Scarecrow Press.
- ↑ Martyn Williams (2011-04-29). "Kujang shortwave transmitter site" North Korea Tech. Archived from the original on 2014-10-25.
- ↑ James Wood (2000). History of International Broadcasting (p. 158). IET.
- ↑ "VOK SW Broadcast Schedule and Frequencies: Requested by John Custin" (2024-07-28). Voice of Korea. Retrieved 2024-08-03.