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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]
History[edit | edit source]
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.[2]
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.[1]
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.[3]
The station was renamed Voice of Korea in 2002.[2]
Programming[edit | edit source]
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.[4]
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.[4]
Broadcasting[edit | edit source]
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.[2]
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.[5][1]
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.[6]
English[edit | edit source]
| 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[edit | edit source]
| 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[edit | edit source]
| 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[edit | edit source]
| 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[edit | edit source]
| 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[edit | edit source]
| 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[edit | edit source]
| 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[edit | edit source]
| 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[edit | edit source]
| 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 |
See also[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 James Wood (2000). History of International Broadcasting (p. 158). IET.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 James E. Hoare (2012). Historical Dictionary of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (p. 395). Scarecrow Press.
- ↑ James Wood (2000). History of International Broadcasting (pp. 20, 158). IET.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Martyn Williams (2014-03-27). "Voice of Korea mid-2014 schedule" North Korea Tech. Archived from the original on 2014-10-25.
- ↑ Martyn Williams (2011-04-29). "Kujang shortwave transmitter site" North Korea Tech. Archived from the original on 2014-10-25.
- ↑ "VOK SW Broadcast Schedule and Frequencies: Requested by John Custin" (2024-07-28). Voice of Korea. Retrieved 2024-08-03.