Making news about North Korea: Changes in journalistic norms and approaches since 2000

초록

Based on in-depth interviews with 25 journalists, this chapter captures changes in the production of news about North Korea over the past two decades. First, there are more eyes on the ground, with higher numbers of journalists, diplomats, and tourists in the country. Second, the explosive growth in the number of North Korean defectors has also had an impact on journalism. While the defectors' testimonies added context, they also led to an increase in sensationalistic coverage with unverified reports of human rights abuses. Third, the 2009 introduction of cellular phones to the North Korean population has facilitated direct communication between reporters and North Koreans. Taken together, this chapter not only shows changes in journalism, but also indicates a shift in information flows in North Korea towards more openness. While changes have been slow and convoluted, correspondents are benefitting from an increasingly porous North Korea. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Seungahn Nah, Soomin Seo, Yong Chan Kim and Dal Yong Jin. All rights reserved.