Universal Winter Olympics coverage part of ABU’s role, President says

The ABU and Korean Broadcasting System have partnered to provide coverage of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games to audiences in North Korea, via the state broadcaster Korean Radio and Television. 

ABU President and President & CEO of KBS Mr Gil Hwan-young says providing sports rights to North Korea for the 2014 Sochi Games is part of the Union’s mission to expand universal access for audiences in ABU member countries.

“It is a part of the ABU mission to provide countries that have difficulties in negotiating individually with broadcasting rights for major sporting events such as the Olympics, the FIFA World Cup Championship and the Asian Games which audiences of the world enjoy together,” Mr Gil says.

“It is the international custom and a regular practice of the ABU that KRT of North Korea, a member broadcaster of the ABU, has support to broadcast the Winter Olympic Games,” Mr Gil added.

ABU Secretary-General Dr Javad Mottaghi welcomed the partnership. “I am delighted that ABU is once again working with KBS and KBA to provide North Korean audiences with the opportunity to view a key sporting event, the Sochi Olympics,” he said.

“The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a member of the international sporting community and KRT is a member of the ABU. We are pleased to provide the platform for members to work together for the benefit of their audiences,” Dr Mottaghi added.