ID :
202029
Thu, 08/18/2011 - 06:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/202029
The shortlink copeid
S. Korean TV shows gain popularity in N. Korea: expert
SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- A growing number of North Koreans enjoy popular South Korean TV programs, an expert here said Thursday in the latest comment on cultural diffusion into the isolated country.
"More and more North Koreans living south of Pyongyang and Hamhung have been receiving signals from South Korea to watch Seoul's variety shows," Lee Ju-cheol, an official at the national broadcaster KBS, said in a forum held in downtown Seoul, referring to the North Korean capital and another northeastern city.
Major programs that draw interest from North Koreans include Seoul's popular weekend reality-variety shows such as "One Night Two Days," which airs on a KBS channel, and "Infinite Challenge," which airs on a channel operated by another major broadcaster, MBC, the expert added.
"Some North Korean defectors said high-ranking officials in the communist country are more proactive about watching South Korean programs," Lee said.
The regime in the reclusive country has officially banned its public from watching foreign broadcasts and any other video materials carrying foreign programs, including those from South Korea. Even so, residents have been able to secretly gain access to such broadcasts.
Lee attributed the increased opportunities for the North Korean public to enjoy South Korean programs to the likelihood of South Korean broadcasters' signals reaching as far as the city of Pyongyang, as well as the somewhat improved ability of North Koreans to receive radio waves carrying such TV programs.
Some North Koreans living in and near the northern border areas close to China have clandestinely gained access to Chinese broadcasts, and a growing number of people there enjoy programs aired on those channels, the expert added.
Lee, however, noted that those in the North's inland areas have still been isolated from the outside world, failing to experience any other cultures.
"More and more North Koreans living south of Pyongyang and Hamhung have been receiving signals from South Korea to watch Seoul's variety shows," Lee Ju-cheol, an official at the national broadcaster KBS, said in a forum held in downtown Seoul, referring to the North Korean capital and another northeastern city.
Major programs that draw interest from North Koreans include Seoul's popular weekend reality-variety shows such as "One Night Two Days," which airs on a KBS channel, and "Infinite Challenge," which airs on a channel operated by another major broadcaster, MBC, the expert added.
"Some North Korean defectors said high-ranking officials in the communist country are more proactive about watching South Korean programs," Lee said.
The regime in the reclusive country has officially banned its public from watching foreign broadcasts and any other video materials carrying foreign programs, including those from South Korea. Even so, residents have been able to secretly gain access to such broadcasts.
Lee attributed the increased opportunities for the North Korean public to enjoy South Korean programs to the likelihood of South Korean broadcasters' signals reaching as far as the city of Pyongyang, as well as the somewhat improved ability of North Koreans to receive radio waves carrying such TV programs.
Some North Koreans living in and near the northern border areas close to China have clandestinely gained access to Chinese broadcasts, and a growing number of people there enjoy programs aired on those channels, the expert added.
Lee, however, noted that those in the North's inland areas have still been isolated from the outside world, failing to experience any other cultures.
