Defector Criticizes Halt of South Korean Broadcasts in North Korea

Lee Cheol-eun (이철은), a 38-year-old defector from North Korea and former agent of the Ministry of State Security (국가보위성), expressed his disappointment on July 22 regarding the recent cessation of broadcasts by South Korea's National Intelligence Service (국정원). He stated, "It's truly pathetic that the NIS has stopped its decades-long broadcasts just because North Korea's policies have changed."

Having defected to South Korea nine years ago after witnessing a rebroadcast of President Park Geun-hye's Liberation Day speech on North Korean television, Lee emphasized the significant impact of these broadcasts. He noted, "I am someone who defected after watching NIS broadcasts, and many people in North Korea were also tuning in to those programs."

The Ministry of State Security in North Korea functions similarly to South Korea's NIS. Lee explained that various channels on North Korean TV often aired South Korean programs, making it easy for viewers to access them. He warned that without the NIS broadcasts, North Korea risks becoming an isolated island under Kim Jong-un's dictatorship.

When asked how he accessed South Korean programs while in North Korea, Lee replied, "There were many channels showing them. I watched them naturally from a young age. I would even set my watch to catch the times when South Korean TV shows aired. In Hwanghae Province, the reception of South Korean channels was quite clear."

Lee acknowledged that he was aware these broadcasts were produced by South Korean intelligence agencies. He stated, "Everyone in the Ministry of State Security knew that these were works from South Korean intelligence agencies. We were taught in internal lectures that these broadcasts were psychological operations by the South."

Reflecting on the content he found interesting, Lee mentioned that while he often watched South Korean dramas due to his job of monitoring them, he found the news particularly engaging, along with shows like 'Legend of the Town' (전설의 고향).

Regarding the reactions of North Korean viewers, he noted, "Many people in North Korea watched these broadcasts. They were different from the leaflets or broadcasts from some private organizations, which often contained false or distorted information. The NIS broadcasts presented facts without exaggeration, which resonated more deeply with the North Korean audience."

Despite being tasked with blocking these broadcasts, Lee revealed that many agents would record and sell them for profit, leading to a significant distribution of Korean Wave content within North Korea. He believes that the method of recording and selling these broadcasts was far more prevalent than content smuggled through the China-North Korea border.

With the NIS's recent decision to halt its broadcasts, Lee expressed his disbelief, stating, "Is it really sensible for an intelligence agency to stop doing something it has done for decades just because policies have changed? It's astonishing and frankly, nonsensical."

He concluded by highlighting the implications of this decision, saying, "This creates a significant gap in delivering external information to North Korean residents. While complete information blockage is difficult, the absence of the NIS means North Korea is now more isolated under Kim Jong-un's regime."