‘미국의 소리(Voice of America) 한국어방송’의 변화와 그 원인(1953~1973)

The Change and Its Causes of the Voice of America Korean Service(1953~1973)

This paper contemplates upon the dimension of changes the Korean Service of Voice of America (VOA) went through and its causes, starting from the Korean War Armistice until the removal of the relay broadcasting of Korean radio stations. VOA, the U.S. government propaganda machine, was successful at some degree in deeply permeating anti-communism and pro-Americanism into the consciousness and attitude of Koreans. Despite of this, the historical flow and the state of affairs was no longer in need of VOA. Likewise, VOA itself held many limitations that hampered adaptations to such changes. Experiencing its heyday during the Korean War, VOA suffered a low ratings right after the cease-fire in the mid 1950’s. The poor trend in ratings continued until it ended up being no more than a propaganda broadcasting from the government of a foreign country that did not deserve attention from Koreans. Moreover, VOA was forgotten from South Koreans as the relay broadcasting of CBS signed off in August, 1973. This article thoroughly examines the process of such changes and their aspects by looking into the broadcast operations of the U.S. government, relay broadcast of KBS, and the habit and attitude of Korean audience. The causes of such differences are explained by the conditions for broadcastings and receivers, the policy of the Korean government, the demand from the Korean society and appetite of the audience, and propaganda broadcasting policies of the U.S. government and limitations within VOA itself. In short, VOA failed to provide broadcasts that suited the needs of the Korean society undergoing a developmental stage at every sphere, and thus barely remaining in existence as the psychological warfare broadcasting against North Korea.