Tag Archives: Voice of Korea

Tuning In: An Artistic and Auditory Exploration of Korean Radio by Carlos Latuff

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares this special dive into the world of radio both in and targeting the Korean peninsula. His report includes off-air recordings along with his own original artwork.


Koreas’ Radio War

by Carlos Latuff, a special for the SWLing Post

The war that divided Korea in two began in 1950. A truce was signed by both sides in 1953, but a peace agreement never came to fruition. Therefore, North Korea and South Korea remain at war. And this war is not just happening on the ground, but also over the airwaves.

Every day, a battle for hearts and minds takes place on AM, FM and shortwave. Whether the DPRK broadcasts are directed to South Korea, or South Korean broadcasters (including clandestine ones) broadcast to the DPRK.

I bring here a small collection of radio listenings made between February 29th and March 17th, all of them happened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, using a XHDATA D-808 receiver, with long wire antenna (outdoor), except for Radio Free Asia, listened with a Toshiba TR 486 receiver, using a telescopic antenna (indoor). Translations from Korean to English were made using transcription and translation apps.

KBS World

KBS World Radio was created in 1953, the year the truce was signed between the two warring Koreas, under the name “The Voice of Free Korea”, and today, as a public radio station, it broadcasts to several countries in different languages. Its programming includes news, music, variety, and of course, opposition to the DPRK government.

 

As part of the effort to promote “regime change” in the DPRK, the Seoul government, through its intelligence service, maintains clandestine radio stations (“Echo of Hope” and “Voice of the People”) whose role is basically broadcast 24 hours a day anti-Communist propaganda to North Korea, along South Korean and American pop music.

Echo of Hope

Voice of the People

Radio Free Asia

Created by the CIA in 1951, at the height of the Cold War and the conflict in Korea, Radio Free Asia has undergone changes throughout its history, but continues to be operated by the United States government and aims, in its own words, to “provide independent, uncensored and accurate local news” for countries like China, Vietnam and, of course, North Korea. Content directed at the DPRK follows the same principle as South Korean clandestine broadcasters: basically anti-Communist orientation, in order to achieve a “regime change”. The articles broadcasted on the radio are the same as those published on the Radio Free Asia’s website.

KCBS Pyongyang

Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) Pyongyang is the DPRK’s domestic radio station, whose programming reaches North and South Korea, even being heard in Japan. News about the achievements of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, music and attacks on Seoul government, seen by Pyongyang as a puppet regime.

Voice of Korea

On October 14, 1945, the year Japan was defeated in World War II, KCBS Pyongyang and Voice of Korea were founded (domestic and international radio stations respectively). Voice of Korea broadcasts programming in several languages ??to the world via shortwave. The content is not much different from KCBS Pyongyang: achievements of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, attacks on Seoul government and the United States, and traditional/patriotic music.

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Carlos’ Shortwave Art and recording of Voice of Korea (February 8, 2024)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares his radio log art of a recent Voice of Korea broadcast.

Carlos’ goal is to vividly illustrate the broadcaster’s message in his own unique artistic style and is not a reflection of his own beliefs or those of the SWLing Post. His objective is for his artwork to add historical context and put a visual with the news, reporting, and broadcast content:


Carlos notes:

EEUU, El Lobo Desdentado, La Voz de Corea (en español), RPDC, 12015 kHz.

…es una conducta imbécil confiar la garantía de seguridad en un lobo desdentado que está desesperado para mantener su vida precaria…

(“…it is a foolish act to get a security guarantee by relying on a toothless wolf trying to prolong its remaining days…”)

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Carlos’ Shortwave Art and recording of the Voice of Korea (September 16, 2023)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares his radio log art of a recent Voice of Korea broadcast.


Carlos notes:

Excerpt from the Spanish-language news broadcast by Voice of Korea (DPRK) on Kim Jong Un’s historic visit to Russia. Broadcast on 13760 kHz shortwave and listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Click here to view on YouTube.

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Paul’s recording of the Voice of Korea with a Tecsun PL-330

Carlos Latuff’s artwork from a Feb 9, 2023 VOK broadcast.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who writes:

Hello Thomas

To complement the article Carlos’ Shortwave Art and recording of the Voice of Korea, I send you a recording of the Voice of Korea made with a TECSUN PL-330 with a 23-foot wire antenna:

February 9, 2023 – 04:12:00 p.m. UTC – Frequency: 12015kHz

The announcer describes in laudatory and emphatic terms the recent solemn military parade which took place on the night of February 9 to 10 in Kim il-Sung square in Pyongyang. I recorded for 5’40” in order to show the stability of the signal (no fading) but the recording is too long, at least I think so. It’s up to you to cut if this recording catches your attention

The receivers may have improved but I believe that North Korea now uses more modern and more powerful transmitters (200 kW according to the site www.short-wave.info).

Best wishes.

Paul JAMET

Thank you for sharing, Paul!

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Carlos’ Shortwave Art and recording of the Voice of Korea (February 9, 2023)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares his radio log art of a recent Voice of Korea Broadcast.

Carlos’ goal is to vividly illustrate the broadcaster’s message in his own unique artistic style and is not a reflection of his own beliefs or those of the SWLing Post. His objective is for his artwork to add historical context and put a visual with the news, reporting, and broadcast content:


Carlos notes:

Part of Voice of Korea news bulletin, broadcasted in Spanish via shortwave and listened in Porto Alegre, describing the huge military parade that took place in Pyongyang, celebrating the 75th founding anniversary of armed forces.

Click here to view on YouTube.

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Carlos’ Shortwave Art and recording of the Voice of Korea (February 8, 2023–Turkey/Syria Earthquake)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares his radio log art of a recent Voice of Korea broadcast.


Carlos notes:

Part of Voice of Korea news bulletin, broadcasted in Spanish via shortwave: a message of solidarity from Kim Jong-un to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad regarding the massive earthquake that struck northwest Syria. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Click here to view on YouTube.

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Carlos’ Shortwave Art and recording of the Voice of Korea (January 22, 2023)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares his radio log art of a recent recording of the Voice of Korea’s Japanese Language Service.

Carlos’ goal is to vividly illustrate the broadcaster’s message in his own unique artistic style and is not a reflection of his own beliefs or those of the SWLing Post. His objective is for his artwork to add historical context and put a visual with the news, reporting, and broadcast content:


Carlos notes:

Part of news bulletin broadcasted in Japanese from DPRK’s Voice of Korea radio, via shortwave. Reply message from Chinese President Xi Jinping about the condolence message sent by DPRK’s President of State Affairs Kim Jong-un due the passing of former Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

Click here to view on YouTube.

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