The Music Wars

How does one bring up human rights when the biggest controversies, it seems, is over the kind of music is played in Pyongyang

NEW YORK (AFP) — The New York Philharmonic has run into criticism surrounding its landmark trip to North Korea later this month, with the city’s leading tabloid labeling the Pyongyang concert “a disgrace.”

“The New York Philharmonic was set to hand North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il a propaganda coup when it tours the tyrant’s economically and morally destitute realms later this month,” the paper wrote in a broadside editorial Tuesday.

“And then (musical director) Lorin Maazel opened his mouth — and made things worse,” it continued, criticizing the 77-year-old maestro for comments suggesting the United States had a less-than-perfect human rights record.

I had no opinion in the NY Philharmonic’s trip to the North until the music director decided to do a little moral equivalence over the human rights issue. While I somewhat agree that whatever the US’s shortcomings it does slightly diminish its position, it should not stop the US from criticizing North Korea’s record.

Meanwhile, the Koreas cannot decide what song to play in a soccer match

SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea has balked at South Korea playing its national anthem or raising its flag at a World Cup soccer qualifier in Pyongyang next month, claiming a neutral flag and traditional folk song should be used.

To promote unity at friendly sport events between the two Koreas in recent years, the sides have displayed a flag depicting a united Korea in blue and substituted the traditional folk song “Arirang” for their national anthems.

North Korea wants to do the same with the March 26 World Cup qualifier in the North’s capital, said Yoo Young-chol, spokesman for South’s Korea Football Association.

The two sides held a meeting in the North Korean border city of Kaesong last week to discuss the match.

Sometimes I wonder how to go on when faced with such trivial matters.