The Pyongyang Times
Encyclopedia
The Pyongyang Times is a weekly state owned
English-language newspaper published in the North Korea
n capital, Pyongyang
.
also runs a website in several languages. Fifty-two issues of the paper are published annually.
In North Korea, The Pyongyang Times is circulated in hotel lobbies, flights into the country and other places frequented by foreigners.
against South Korea, Japan
, the United States
and other nations who are considered hostile to North Korea. The last pages are similar to that of the Rodong Sinmun, offering "foreign news" — though little major world events are covered, and most of its content is focused on like-minded or socialist nations.
Most of its content, like all North Korean state media
, is dedicated to leader Kim Jong-il
. More specifically, most of the paper's news is translated from articles in the Rodong Sinmun
. It has been described as lacking "actual news" and is "basically a rundown of Mr Kim's daily agenda, with a lot of flattery
thrown in for good measure."
, particularly with regards to its allegedly poor human rights record
. It has stated that 50% of South Koreans are unemployed, 57.6% are infected with tuberculosis
and that American
soldiers with AIDS
are posted in the south as a deliberate policy to infect the South Korean population. In a May 31, 1986 article, it criticised the decision that the 1988 Olympics were to be held in South Korea
, purporting that "If the Olympic Games were to be held in South Korea, many sportsmen and tourists of the world would meet death, infected with AIDS." Meanwhile, it has described North Korea as the only country in the world that has no HIV
/AIDS sufferers.
However the paper was relatively open during the major flooding in 2007
, providing an extensive list of damage in the country. It stated that 20,300 homes were destroyed and "several hundred" people had died, as well as damage to "223,000 hectares of farmland, 300 bridges, 200 mining pits, 82 reservoirs and 850 power lines."
State media
State media or state-owned media is media for mass communication which is ultimately controlled and/or funded by the state. These news outlets may be the sole media outlet or may exist in competition with privately-controlled media.-Overview:...
English-language newspaper published in the North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n capital, Pyongyang
Pyongyang
Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255,388. The city was...
.
History and availability
The eight page tabloid was first launched on May 6, 1965, and is distributed in approximately 100 countries. For this reason, its staff are trained in English abroad. The newspaperNewspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
also runs a website in several languages. Fifty-two issues of the paper are published annually.
In North Korea, The Pyongyang Times is circulated in hotel lobbies, flights into the country and other places frequented by foreigners.
Structure and content
The structure of the paper is as follows: The front cover is usually devoted to Kim Jong-il, particularly visits to various institutions in the country and praising his leadership. The next few pages detail various technological and ideological exploits of the nation, followed by propagandaPropaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
against South Korea, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and other nations who are considered hostile to North Korea. The last pages are similar to that of the Rodong Sinmun, offering "foreign news" — though little major world events are covered, and most of its content is focused on like-minded or socialist nations.
Most of its content, like all North Korean state media
State media
State media or state-owned media is media for mass communication which is ultimately controlled and/or funded by the state. These news outlets may be the sole media outlet or may exist in competition with privately-controlled media.-Overview:...
, is dedicated to leader Kim Jong-il
Kim Jong-il
Kim Jong-il, also written as Kim Jong Il, birth name Yuri Irsenovich Kim born 16 February 1941 or 16 February 1942 , is the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea...
. More specifically, most of the paper's news is translated from articles in the Rodong Sinmun
Rodong Sinmun
Rodong Sinmun is a North Korean newspaper and the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, published by the Rodong News Agency. It is the most widely read newspaper in the country...
. It has been described as lacking "actual news" and is "basically a rundown of Mr Kim's daily agenda, with a lot of flattery
Flattery
Flattery is the act of giving excessive compliments, generally for the purpose of ingratiating oneself with the subject....
thrown in for good measure."
Claims
The Pyongyang Times has made various claims about South KoreaSouth Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, particularly with regards to its allegedly poor human rights record
Human rights in South Korea
Human rights in South Korea have evolved significantly from the days of military dictatorship and reflects the state's current status as a constitutional democracy...
. It has stated that 50% of South Koreans are unemployed, 57.6% are infected with tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
and that American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldiers with AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
are posted in the south as a deliberate policy to infect the South Korean population. In a May 31, 1986 article, it criticised the decision that the 1988 Olympics were to be held in South Korea
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
, purporting that "If the Olympic Games were to be held in South Korea, many sportsmen and tourists of the world would meet death, infected with AIDS." Meanwhile, it has described North Korea as the only country in the world that has no HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
/AIDS sufferers.
However the paper was relatively open during the major flooding in 2007
2007 North Korea flooding
Flooding in North Korea in August 2007 caused extensive damage and loss of life. The flooding affected most of the southern half of the country including the capital and some of its most productive agricultural regions...
, providing an extensive list of damage in the country. It stated that 20,300 homes were destroyed and "several hundred" people had died, as well as damage to "223,000 hectares of farmland, 300 bridges, 200 mining pits, 82 reservoirs and 850 power lines."
See also
- List of newspapers in North Korea
- Telecommunications in North Korea
- Media of North KoreaMedia of North KoreaThe media of North Korea is one of the most strictly controlled in the world. As a result, information is tightly controlled both into and out of North Korea. The constitution provides for freedom of speech and the press; however, the government prohibits the exercise of these rights in practice...