North Korea has rejected the ‘Gangnam Style’ hit-maker’s proposal to visit for a concert performance.
A planned summit has been organised between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for later next month. The summit is the latest event in a series of overtures signalling a thaw in inter-Korean relations.
The Ministry of Unification unveiled last week that they intend to hold a concert in Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital and largest city.
The concert will see South Korean performers spend three days visiting the city their northern neighbour.
The South Korean government offered to bring Psy to Pyongyang, but Hyon Song-wol, the North’s star singer and the leader of Samjiyon Orchestra, rejected the proposal.
Some have speculated that Psy has been rejected as his “free-spirited performances contrast to the sentiment of North Korean citizens.”
The Ministry of Unification is due to release the details for the upcoming performances later today, Tuesday 27 March. This will include a confirmed line-up for the performance troupe and concert schedule.
The South has arranged for a 160-member troupe to participate in the Pyongyang concerts. However, this number is expected to increase as both Korean nations are pushing towards conducting a joint concert performance.
