DUBAI: When North Koreans see veteran news anchor Ri Chun-Hee in her trademark pink dress on screen, they know they are in for big news.
Known as the “pink lady” by international Twitter fans, Chun-Hee has been reading the news in North Korea since the 1970s and still makes all the major news announcements in the country, coming out of retirement when she is required.
She reads the news on state broadcaster Korean Central Television (KCTV) and most recently announced North Korea’s successful test of a thermonuclear bomb on Sunday.
The 74-year-old is recognized by media analysts the world over who link her appearance with major announcements. She has been the first to announce major deaths in the leadership of the country as well as news of military successes.
According to a translated interview by Reuters, she is known as “the people’s broadcaster” and was once an actor.
She first appeared on TV in 1971 and has been going strong ever since, The Independent reported.
Her appearance on Sunday sparked a flurry of posts on Twitter.
From my interview with @WillRipleyCNN: This is what it means when North Koreans see news anchor Ri Chun-hee on TV... https://t.co/8E1IXnJoOh
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) September 3, 2017
Ri Chun-Hee, 70, a veteran newsreader in North Korea. Would absolutely love to shadow her for a few days to see what her job is like! pic.twitter.com/sTnhFMkO7X
— Fat Brestovca (@FatPresenter) September 3, 2017
Has she announced it? I trust only Ri Chun-hee when it comes to North Korean affairs. #NorthKorea pic.twitter.com/p92kwfiuyD
— Banā de Lohagarh (@kamleshksingh) September 3, 2017
North Korean expert Victor Cha told Mashable that her return to the news should be taken as a sign of the country’s intentions.
“The fact that they brought her back is a sign of the regime’s desire to return to the hard-line Cold War-era ideology of the leader’s grandfather. It’s no accident that they bring her out.”
