Add a commentA day after the New York Philharmonic’s triumphant debut in Pyongyang, I was invited for tea and a chat with North Korea’s chief nuclear negiotiator at the Foreign Ministry. It was an exclusive meeting, but off camera, and Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan was evidently basking in the aftermath of the orchestra’s successful trip.
Relaxed and welcoming, he called it “wonderful and very successful art-diplomacy.” I was stunned when he laughed and said the performance of the US national anthem anywhere in North Korea, much less in a full public outing in an unprecedented live brodcast to the nation, “was a political breakthrough” that took “great political courage…the courage of both nations.” Mr. Kim reminded me the U.S. and North Korea are afterall still technically at war; only an armistice was signed to end the Korean conflict in 1953.
A day before the concert I had been allowed exclusive access to their Yongbyon nuclear facility, where with U.S. technical expertise, they shut down the plant last summer, and are disabling it. He told me that it is 90% done, and that despite slowing down the process while they wait for the U.S. to fulfill its promises in return, such as lifting sanctions, they remain committed to the nuclear talks and disarmament process.
As for the Philharmonic’s performance, the ovations, the applause and the waving, he seemed as suprised as everyone else who watched at the enthusistic reaction of the North Korean audience and the American musicians, telling me the visit would contribute to better understanding between the two nations. As I left after about an hour of conversation through an interpreter, Minister Kim kye Gwan noted “music can be communicted between people without any interpreters.”
- Christiane Amanpour, Chief International Correspondent
| Pati Mc. Camp Hill, PA |
February 27th, 2008 6:56 pm ET Hello Christiane, The fact that you were chosen to report in this assginment is not only very well deserved, but undoubtedly quite astounding for you. I can imagine that you all but jumped up and down on learning that you would be going to North Korea. What an amazing journey! So happy for you. Your reporting over the past several days from N. Korea has been insightful, informative and enjoyable. Seeing that you were permitted to tour the power plant and now talk to Minister Kim Kye Gwan is very encouraging and quite surprising. Thankfully you and the Philharmonic seem to be enjoying a very warm reception. I find all of this so incredible and inspiring. Music truly is a universal language and I can only hope that the world takes notice of how successful this venture turned out to be. Thank you Christiane. You are amazing and a wonderful example for any woman who aspires toward a career in journalism. All The Best to you! |
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| Robert - Jakarta |
February 27th, 2008 6:59 pm ET Christiane Do you know if any of the N. Korean citizens outside the venue were actually able to watch the Philharmonic performance and if they were, what were they told about that performance… how was it portrayed? Robert |
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| Shin, Min-Jeong from S.Korea |
February 27th, 2008 7:17 pm ET Hi, Christian. Nice to hear from you.. This is amazing moment not just for N.Korea and U.S., but also for S.Korea.. Although S.Korea and N.Korea are separated for almost 60 years, Korean think that we are still brothers and sisters. I hope this event help both Korea make a progress to unite again… Christian, you had a really good opportunity to look around N.Korea..I envy you… ^^ Thanks for your good reporting.. |
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| Sarah |
February 27th, 2008 7:59 pm ET Christiane: I look forward to more of this report. on 360. Stay safe. As a journalist, you are someone who is a credit to the field and an inspiration to young women such as myself. I do not know if I would be brave enogh to venture into North Korea. I am still in awe over the fact that you got to tour the now defunct nuclear power plant, and that you are among the elite few whom N. Korea allowed inside their walls. I saw the broadcast of the Orchestra’s performance in North Korea. Again, Wow! Music is a universal language. I think that some folks uin this country do not fully ubderstand the anti-American sentiment |
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| Annie Kate |
February 27th, 2008 10:30 pm ET Christiane, Music does seem to be the universal language for people. Perhaps we should have our musical ambassadors go to more places where we aren’t exactly popular to show that the US is not just about war and guns but has a rich culture as well. Annie Kate |
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