PYONGYANG CONCERT

The first of two special concerts by South Korean artists visiting Pyongyang wrapped up. Among
the guests were the regime’s leader and his wife.

Kim Jong-Un reportedly enjoyed it so much, he suggested holding another one in autumn.

For the first time in 13 years, Sunday night, a group of South Korean musicians put on a concert
in Pyongyang , dazzling an audience that included North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.

Kim was accompanied by a few well-known faces: his wife Ri Sol-Ju, his sister Kim Yo-Jong,
who visited South Korea in February for the Winter Olympics, and Hyon Song-Wol who led the
North Korean delegation in talks to set up the show.

It started at around 6:20 PM, North Korea time – that’s 6:50 PM in the South and lasted for over
two hours.

It was called “Spring is Coming,” and featured eleven South Korean artists ; including Cho
Yong-Pil, Lee Sun-He, the idol group Red Velvet, and Seo Hyun of Girl’s Generation.

“I hope this concert gives us a chance to truly feel that we are one.”

The South Koreans sang to a full house-15 hundred seats-songs representing the fact of the two
Koreas’ division.

They ended with two numbers called “Our Hope is Reunification” and “Until We Meet Again.”

“When we South Korean artists all sang together, the North Koreans sang along with us. That
made me feel that we are one people. It was touching, and that’s why I teared up.”

As he watched, Kim Jong-Un reportedly said there should be more cultural and art performances
put on by Seoul and Pyongyang. He also suggested holding another concert in the autumn, this
time in Seoul, which would signify that these two Koreas are seeing “fruitful results” from their
diplomatic push.
Kim’s attendance was a surprise to many, but there were clues that it might happen as the start
time was changed twice on the day of the concert. His original plan, reportedly, was to attend on
Tuesday..a joint performance by both South and North Korean artists, but he had schedule
conflicts.

But his sudden appearance, which naturally came with strict security-prevented most of the
South Korean journalists from covering the concert. Kim entered the concert hall when the South
Korean press were outside and without notifying the reporters, the performance began right
away.

Only one cameraman stayed inside throughout the performance, while the rest had to watch it on
a television in a nearby room.

Afterwards, the North Korean side apologized, explaining that their exclusion wasn’t intentional
but the result of a lack of communication.

The South Korean artists will hold a joint performance with their North Korean counterparts on
Tuesday afternoon before returning to Seoul.