New York Philharmonic Visits North Korea

U.S. relations with North Korea will be in the headlines this week as the New York Philharmonic performs in Pyongyang.

The Korean War has never officially ended. There was a cease fire which divided the peninsula at the 38th parallel creating one of the most heavily armed borders in the world. The United States has no diplomatic relations with North Korea, but there has been limited progress made in talks to control the north's uranium enrichment and nuclear weapons efforts.

According to the National Committee for North Korea (NCNK), these sorts of cultural exchanges are important... and more frequent than you might imagine. "Over the last several years, many groups have traveled from the United States to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea or DPRK, (the official name of North Korea). During this period, U.S. non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other groups have hosted many North Korean delegations, both in the United States and in other countries. These exchanges have allowed citizens in both countries to gain a better understanding of one another, providing a basis for improved relations. Through exchanges of doctors, agricultural experts and teachers, North Koreans and Americans have had the opportunity to begin to understand one another's cultures, societies and traditions," said the NCNK's most recent newsletter.

Here are some good resources on North Korea and the visit of the New York Philharmonic:

• Statement on the Visit to North Korea, from the U.S. State Department
• N.Y. Phil Tries to Change Tune of U.S.-N.Korea Ties, from Reuters
• Chronology: Orchestra Diplomacy Across Political Divides, from Reuters
• WNET to Stream New York Philharmonic Concert From North Korea, from JVC Broadcast Newsroom
• U.S. Relations With North Korea, from the About Guide to U.S. Foreign Policy
• Timeline of U.S. Relations With North Korea, from the About Guide to U.S. Foreign Policy