NIS: China Raised Issue with Content of N. Korean Concert

The Moranbong Band – formed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un – was scheduled to perform three concerts in Beijing beginning on Saturday night, in what was viewed as a visit to cultivate ties between the North Asian countries.

The band’s arrival in Beijing was widely covered, but the show was not open to the public, the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing told AFP.

On Sunday, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said the North Koreans may have cancelled the show after China chose to send a lower ranking delegation in protest over Kim’s apparent claim last week that the North possesses a hydrogen bomb.

An accompanying North Korean musical troupe, the State Merited Chorus, also canceled its Beijing performances. A Chinese official then said North Korea needs to learn from China’s example and that Kim has been referred to the International Criminal Court, comments that sealed Hyon’s decision to leave, according to FNK Radio’s source. Some analysts in South Korea said the songs could have had lyrics that boasted about North Korea’s nuclear tests and its plans to launch long-range missiles, which would not sit well with Beijing officials.

When asked if the preparation for the performance was going well, a member of the Moranbong Band answered that they would find out after the performance.

This likely upset North Korea, and the Moranbong Band abruptly withdrew hours before the performance and flew back to Pyongyang.

North Korea held its third conference of financial and banking officials over the weekend, resuming the rare event after a 25-year hiatus in what could be an emerging sign that the country’s economy has climbed out of the level of subsistence and is gearing up for financial reform.

There was no immediate word from North Korea on their departure.

China’s President Xi Jinping has made little secret of his disdain for the young leader next door, and the two have not met since both took power, unusual given that North Korea relies on China for nearly everything.

North Korea commits human rights violations on a regular basis and clearly shows no concern for the poor living conditions of its people.

The Chinese propaganda cadre worked with an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China to negotiate with the leader of the Moranbong Band.

The commission of inquiry report detailed wide-ranging abuses in North Korea including prison camps, systematic torture, starvation and killings.