BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes and Maria Byrne and cameraman Matthew Goddard were detained in North Korea. They were expelled after eight hours of questions and a signed statement of apology.
Kim is a different leader than his father. He wants to be taken seriously on the world stage. When leaders are taken seriously by the media they usually have government reform in mind that encourages and builds quality of life for the people.
At this point I think the BBC has an excellent opportunity to build a better relationship with Kim Jong Un. The three detained journalists signed a statement of apology. The BBC should seek to build on that.
Kim is a different leader than his father. He wants to be taken seriously on the world stage. When leaders are taken seriously by the media they usually have government reform in mind that encourages and builds quality of life for the people.
At this point I think the BBC has an excellent opportunity to build a better relationship with Kim Jong Un. The three detained journalists signed a statement of apology. The BBC should seek to build on that.
Media frequently plays the role of bringing issues to the surface that allows authority to recognize a sincere problem and bring about reforms that benefit the people. Sometimes country's are victim to greater power, rightfully or wrongfully, that does not allow the path forward to a better quality of life for the people. I think media needs to deal directly with Kim Jong Un by offering interviews that identify the problems he faces as a leader in the global community.
North Korea is in a position of isolation. The Western media policies that handle reforms in governments are victimizing to the authorities of that country. North Korea's leader wants to be a voice in a global theater and not simply a target of hate for whatever reason found this week. If the western media wants to find a foothold to a welcome by the North Korean authorities it needs to build a relationship that helps the North Korean people through enlightenment of it's leaders.
It could be that Kim Jong Un has real problems with global power that does not allow him to adequately grapple with North Korea's entrenched problems that has existed for over half a century. I think it is the media's responsibility to find a path forward with Kim Jong Un to open dialogue with a global audience. Currently, the only image North Korea has is one of a hostile and aggressive militarized dictatorship. How does that serve North Korea to enter into a far different trade relationship with any country in the world?
May 9, 2016
By The AP
Pyongyang, North Korea — North Korea's ruling-party congress (click here) on Monday announced a new title for Kim Jong Un, party chairman, in a move that highlights how the authoritarian country's first congress in 36 years is aimed at bolstering the young leader.
The news emerged Monday during the roughly 10 minutes that a small group of foreign media was allowed the watch the congress in the ornate April 25 House of Culture.
As a military band in full uniform played the welcoming song used whenever North Korea's leader enters a public place, Kim strode onto the stage, generating a long loud standing ovation from the several thousand delegates attending.
In unison the delegates shouted, "Mansae! Mansae!" wishing Kim long life.
He and other senior party members took their seats, filling several rows on a stage, below portraits of Kim's grandfather, North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, and father, Kim Jong Il, the walls decked with banners of red with the ruling party's hammer sickle and pen logo embossed in gold. Kim Yong Nam, the head of the North's Parliament, stood to read a roster of top party positions — calling Kim Jong Un chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea for the first time....
