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The New York Philharmonic Orchestra in concert in South Korea in 2004.
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In talks with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, North Korea has reportedly agreed the orchestra can play "The Star-Spangled Banner", the national anthem of the U.S., during its first performance in Pyongyang.
A South Korean government official on Tuesday said North Korea is keen on the New York Philharmonic's performance in Pyongyang and told the U.S. there would be no problem if the orchestra plays the anthem.
The New York Philharmonic does not usually play "The Star-Spangled Banner" in concert overseas. But the orchestra asked North Korea in talks early this month if it could play the U.S. national anthem considering the symbolic nature of its concert in Pyongyang.
The orchestra is still talking with North Korea about a possible performance around February. If that happens, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, a big fan of music, might attend. It would be the first time the U.S. national anthem has been played in front of the North Korean leader.
The idea of a New York Philharmonic concert in Pyongyang was first raised during U.S.-North Korea talks in Berlin in July, when North Korea¡¯s chief negotiator Kim Kye-gwan told his U.S. counterpart Christopher Hill the North wanted to invite the orchestra. The U.S. State Department encouraged the orchestra to go to Pyongyang. Accompanied by U.S. State Department officials, Zarin Mehta, the president and executive director of the New York Philharmonic, visited Pyongyang on Oct. 6 and discussed the idea there.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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