Robert King, US special envoy for North Korean Human Rights explains how North Korea's public handling of the recent failed missile launch is indicative of a wider change in their approach to media.
His opinions are detailed in a report "A Quiet Opening: North Koreans in a Changing Media environment" in which he argues that the regime is becoming increasingly aware and responding to the fact that its citizens have uncontrollable access to alternative, subversive news sources such as foreign media.
Illegal media is often smuggled in through China; DVDs of films and South Korean soaps are experiencing huge popularity with a rapidly increasing portion of North Koreans viewing them.
