Jan 2nd, 2009 · For WNYC's Soundcheck host John Schaefer, the best classical music of the year came not from new releases, but from the news in the classical music world. The biggest story was the New York Philharmonic's performance in Pyongyang, North Korea.
Sep 30th, 2008 · U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill is headed to Pyongyang to try to prevent a nuclear agreement from unraveling. North Korea has moved to reconstitute its nuclear infrastructure amid complaints from both sides over the deal.
Sep 9th, 2008 · North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has apparently suffered a stroke, according to U.S. intelligence officials. Kim didn't appear Tuesday at a military parade in Pyongyang on the 60th anniversary of North Korea's founding.
Jun 3rd, 2008 · The chief U.S. negotiator on North Korea says he expects Pyongyang to finally declare all of its nuclear programs soon. North Korea had promised to do that last December. But some experts say the Bush administration is getting a bad deal because it's desperate to have a foreign policy achievement in its last year in office.
Mar 28th, 2008 · North Korea test-fired short-range missiles Friday, signaling its displeasure with plans by South Korea's president-elect Lee Myung-bak to abandon a "sunshine policy." The move is also seen as a rebuke to the United States over an impasse in nuclear disarmament talks.
Feb 26th, 2008 · The New York Philharmonic's music director, Lorin Maazel, says he believes the concert his orchestra performed Tuesday in Pyongyang, North Korea, could help bring the peoples of the United States and North Korea a "tiny step closer." In an unusual move, North Korea's state-run television and radio broadcast the concert live. It began with the playing of both countries' national anthems. The stage included both the North Korean and American flags.
Feb 25th, 2008 · The New York Philharmonic will perform Tuesday at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre in Pyongyang, North Korea. The concert represents an historic occasion, as a prominent U.S. cultural institution visits an isolated nation.
Dec 11th, 2007 · The New York Philharmonic on Tuesday disclosed the details of a February visit to North Korea. It was an announcement that brought back memories of cultural exchanges during the Cold War. The program will include songs by Gershwin and Dvorak, and the national anthems of both the United States and North Korea. The orchestra's visit comes at a time of hints of a thawing in relations between Washington and Pyongyang. But at Tuesday's news conference, both American and North Korean spokesmen kept politics at a distance.