N-Korea converts to Russian satellites
(MENAFN) North Korean authorities have reportedly switched the transmission of their state TV broadcasts from a Chinese satellite to a Russian one, South Korea’s Unification Ministry disclosed to Reuters on Monday. The change, effective since June 29, sees North Korean Central Television now using the Russian satellite Express 103, instead of the previously utilized ChinaSat 12.
According to a South Korean satellite dish service provider cited by Reuters, this move complicates efforts to monitor North Korean broadcasts for South Korean media and state agencies. Access to satellite services is crucial for authorized entities in South Korea to observe North Korea’s state media, which remains largely restricted from public access within South Korea itself.
While online access to North Korean TV broadcasts remains feasible, Reuters highlighted potential delays and lower quality compared to direct satellite reception. The Unification Ministry acknowledged the technical challenge posed by the satellite switch, noting efforts underway to address these monitoring difficulties.
For Seoul, monitoring North Korean state media serves as a critical avenue for gathering information about the secretive nation, with which South Korea has maintained a history of isolation and confrontation. Reuters itself reported experiencing interruptions in receiving North Korean TV signals since Monday morning, underscoring the operational impacts of North Korea’s satellite switch on media monitoring efforts.
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