North Korea has recently switched its state TV broadcasts to a Russian satellite from a Chinese one, posing a monitoring challenge for South Korea’s government agencies and media, as reported by the country’s unification ministry. This change took place on June 29, with signals now being carried by the Russian satellite Express 103 instead of the ChinaSat 12.
This shift follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea in June, where cooperation and defence agreements were signed. Access to North Korean TV online may now face delays or quality issues, affecting how information is gathered about the reclusive state.
South Korean authorities and media rely on monitoring North Korean state media for insights, despite its tightly controlled narrative. Some media outlets have experienced difficulties in receiving North Korean TV signals since the switch to the Russian satellite.
While Russia and North Korea strengthen ties, China remains cautious about complicating its relationships with other countries.