North Korean official regrets concert coverage ban

A high-ranking North Korean official has apologized for preventing South Korean journalists from covering Sunday’s concert put on by South Korean performers in Pyongyang, according to pool reporters, Monday.

Kim Yong-chol, head of the Workers’ Party of Korea’s United Front Department, came to the hotel where South Korean journalists were stay- ing and apologized for the coverage ban which took place the previous evening.

There were always minor troubles when South Koreans performed in North Korea, but this was the first time for a ranking official to make an apology.

The previous evening, the journalists were moved to a waiting room in the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre after the performers’ rehearsal. But until the concert was over, they were not allowed to enter the concert hall except for one photographer, so they had to write their stories by watching the show on a monitor in a dressing room.

“We invited you, South Korean journalists, to North Korea and we are obliged to guarantee free coverage,” Kim told them during a 16-minute meeting. “It was wrong to restrict your coverage.”

Along with the journalists, South Korean Culture Minister Do Jong-hwan, National Intelligence Service Deputy Director Kim Sang-gyun, and senior Cheong Wa Dae official Yun Kun-young were at the meeting.

“In front of you, journalists, and minister, I, representing the North, offer an apology, or understanding, for the wrong thing,” Kim said.

He also gave a detailed explanation as to why the coverage ban took place and promised to prevent such things from recurring.