Kim Jong Un Approves Edited Premier League Broadcasts In North Korea Under Strict Conditions
Sports Updated: 13 November 2025 20:37 EAT
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly allowed the country’s state broadcaster to air Premier League football matches — but only under tightly controlled conditions. According to a report by The Guardian, the matches will not be shown live but instead heavily edited before being aired on Korean Central Television (KCTV).
The broadcasts are typically delayed by weeks or even months and are reduced from the full 90 minutes to roughly 60 minutes of play. English graphics and advertisements visible inside the stadium are blurred or replaced with Korean overlays, while commentary is localized for North Korean audiences.
Footage showing South Korean players such as Son Heung-min or Hwang Hee-chan is routinely omitted due to political tensions between Pyongyang and Seoul. The matches are thus presented as neutral sporting highlights stripped of political sensitivities or cultural elements considered inappropriate by North Korea’s strict censors.
While there is no confirmed report of an official directive from Kim Jong Un personally, analysts say the practice reflects the regime’s broader approach to controlling foreign media. The move allows citizens to enjoy glimpses of global sport while maintaining ideological boundaries and preserving the state’s media monopoly
Tags: Editor's Pick English Premier League Sign Language Signstvkenya Signsmedia South Korea
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FELIX MAKONA
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