ABU helps bring London Olympics to North Korea

Dr. Kim In-Kyu, President of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union is visiting PyongYang to officially licence KRT, the national broadcaster of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the broadcast rights for this year’s Summer Olympic Games in London and also find ways to further the cooperation between ABU and KRT.

ABU delegation comprised of President Kim In-Kyu, Secretary General Javad Mottaghi, and Director of Sports John Barton will hold the handover ceremony with broadcasters and officials associated with the DPRK during the visit.  The delegation will also hold meetings with KRT to seek cooperation in technical, contents and training programmes. 

Dr. Kim In-Kyu emphasised the strong bonds that exist within the ABU membership involving major sporting events such as the Olympics. “ We are a strong and united sporting family,” Dr. Kim said.

He also added that “The ABU has provided key sporting events to the DPRK, including the Olympic and Asian Games as well as major football tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and European Football Championships. As the ABU President I will continue to expand our sporting products as well as technical assistance and contents exchange in developing nations where the budgets are limited and where technical resources need improving.”

To that end the ABU will assist KRT in providing dedicated programming featuring competitors from the DPRK.

“I am delighted to also announce that the ABU will look after a small production team from KRT at the International Broadcast Centre in London where we will provide services and facilities to enhance KRT’s coverage.  

“Six production personnel have been accredited through the ABU”, Dr Kim said.

The President of the IOC, Dr. Jacques Rogge, welcomed KRT to the London broadcast family and assured it would receive the best Olympics coverage ever staged.

“KRT will receive over 3,000 hours of live and recorded programming through our innovative multi-channel distribution,” Dr. Rogge said. “The people of the DPRK will not miss a single event in which their athletes and teams are involved,” he added.