EU, reporters promise 400 million won to promote radio broadcasts into North

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- The European Union (EU) and an international group of
journalists forged a deal on Tuesday to provide 400 million won (US$290,000) to
help anti-Pyongyang radio broadcasting stations run mostly by defectors from
North Korea.
The EU and the Reporters sans Frontiers (RSF) signed the deal with three stations
-- Free North Korea Radio, Open Radio for Korea and Radio Free Chosun -- in Seoul
to fund their programs for the next three years.
The stations have been producing and sending shortwave anti-communism and human
rights radio broadcasts across the border. In the past, North Korea has asked
South Korea to suspend the stations, calling them an obstacle to unification.
"In South Korea, there is a need for much support," RSF spokesman Vincent Brossel
said, citing that Seoul's 2009 budget earmarked for promoting North Korean human
rights stood at 190 million won.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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