The unique train trip taken by leader Kim Jong Un to meet with President Vladimir Putin at a space center is mostly being reported by North Korean and Russian media.
While both totalitarian governments place restrictions on news gathering, to differing degrees, the coverage of the countries’ separate media this week offers a glimpse into the distinctive news environments of the neighbors and how the summit is being portrayed to citizens in North Korea and Russia.
Like all media initiatives in that country, the coverage provided to North Koreans aims to serve government propagandist objectives. Reporters in the nation are only interested in elevating Kim in the eyes of Koreans and the rest of the globe.
The North Korean media’s portrayal of one of Kim’s most significant diplomatic acts in recent years has been challenged by his visit to Russia, where the press has greater access and freedom than it has in Pyongyang.
Since Putin invaded Ukraine, there are no longer any independent television networks in Russia, and journalists working for the country’s state media adhere to Kremlin policy. The majority of Russia still gets its news from the formidable state television network, which includes several channels across 11 time zones, despite social media’s rising popularity.
North Korea
Image source: Reuters
The appearance on state television of the Lady in Pink, as she is commonly referred to by foreign observers due to her preference for pink traditional Korean hanbok garments, is a sure sign that important news has occurred in North Korea.
Ri Chun Hi did indeed make an appearance on television this week to announce Kim’s departure from Pyongyang on his green and yellow armored train in a voice roaring with emotion and pride.
Ri is a household name in North Korea because Kim gave her a lavish residence as compensation for her decades of service. She appeared on television to announce the passing of Kim Jong Il, to discuss the meetings between Kim Jong Un and former U.S. President Donald Trump, and to cover significant nuclear test coverage over the years.
Tuesday’s program featured still clips of Kim passing honor guards and shaking hands with senior officials in a spectacular sendoff at a Pyongyang train station. “Senior officials sincerely wished him good health and a successful foreign visit,” Ri said.
While Kim is in Russia, the official North Korean news agency, Korean Central News Agency, has been cautious. Even on a dull day, KCNA occasionally publishes hundreds of English- and Korean-language bulletins tracking Kim’s every public action. However, there have only been a few meticulously crafted reports on the trip to Russia, some of which have already been published a day after the events.
Later, KNCA provided a more detailed account of Kim’s arrival in the Russian border city of Khasan, paying close attention to the honor guard, military band, and envoys who received him. According to reports, he “extended best wishes to the president, government, army, and people of the Russian Federation.”
The Russians have cooperated thus far, with Putin personally accompanying Kim on a tour of the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East. North Korea is very serious about praising and upholding the dignity of Kim.
But the unpredictability of a foreign summit poses a threat to North Korean media. North Korea is unable to have complete control over international events, despite its best efforts.
Fortunately, Kim appears to love being seen in public during his infrequent trips outside of his country. For instance, he strolled among throngs of people and checked at skyscrapers in Singapore while attending a summit to meet Trump.
North Korea’s propaganda officers may always count on the daylong wait in broadcasting the news so they can build the appropriate narrative before delivering it to the people at home if anything goes awry this time in Russia.
Russia
Image source: Reuters
Despite the fact that state television in Russia was rather silent when Kim’s train arrived there on Tuesday, news reports on Wednesday were interrupted by images of Putin and Kim’s meeting at the satellite launch complex.
Putin’s every public action is usually covered by Russian state television, but this time, instead of seeing scenes of him meeting with local leaders or criticizing cabinet members, viewers saw Putin shake Kim’s hand for 40 seconds before giving her a tour of his favorite construction project, the cosmodrome.
Details of Kim and Putin’s encounter came to light through Russian state media reporters, who had access to Putin and the Kremlin that Western journalists could only dream of.
Russian state wire service TASS claimed that dumplings with Kamchatka crab were on the menu for the leaders’ working lunch. A state television news anchor informed Russians that the leaders’ meeting lasted at least five hours. However, the true purpose of the visit was barely mentioned. Analysts believe that Putin invited Kim to Russia to strike a deal in which technology would be exchanged for North Korean weapons to support Putin’s conflict in Ukraine.
Pavel Zarubin, a television host, frequently has close encounters with the Russian leader, and Putin’s summit with Kim was no exception. On Wednesday, Zarubin shared a video of Putin appearing to wave goodbye to Kim while being protected by numerous bodyguards on his Telegram channel. Putin was grinning and appeared content, so maybe the visit was successful in achieving his objectives.
