North Korea has switched its state television broadcast from a Chinese satellite to a Russian one, making it difficult for government agencies and South Korean media to monitor and watch such broadcasts.
According to Ukrinform, with reference to the South Korean Ministry of Unification, Reuters reports.
On June 29, the signals of North Korea's Central Television began to be broadcast in Russian satellite Express 103 instead of the Chinese ChinaSat 12.
After changing the Chinese satellite to the Russian one, reception of North Korean satellite TV stopped in some areas of South Korea. South Korean experts are currently trying to solve technical problems to restore access.
South Korean government agencies and media constantly monitor the reports of the North Korean state media, despite their highly politicized and propaganda content, because it is one from the few sources of information about events in the closed country.
However, only authorized organizations are allowed to view North Korean broadcasts in the South, and the general public is prohibited from accessing North Korean media.
The replacement of the satellite took place after the June visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang and the signing of an agreement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on deepening cooperation in all areas, including mutual defense commitments.