[The Chosun Ilbo, February 20 2008] New York Philharmonic’s Pyongyang Gig on Live TV

The North Korean government has agreed to a live broadcast of the New York Philharmonic concert in Pyongyang on Feb. 26, the New York Times reported Tuesday. An official from the North Korean Mission to the UN in New York recently sent confirmation to the orchestra by e-mail, the daily reported.

"We’re very pleased that they’ve finally confirmed it,” it quoted New York Philharmonic president Zarin Mehta as saying. The paper commented, “Since the invitation to perform became widely known in October last year, the orchestra has had to confront criticism that performing in North Korea would lend legitimacy” to the regime there.