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1st LD: BBC correspondent expelled from DPRK for assaults on system, non-objective reporting

Xinhua, May 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

A BBC journalist has been expelled from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for his attacking of the DPRK system and non-objective reporting during his stay in the country, an official with the DPRK National Peace Committee said on Monday.

During his stay with a BBC filming crew who visited Pyongyang from April 29 to May 6 to cover the visit of three Nobel laureates to the DPRK, Rupert Wingfield-Hayes disrespected local customs, spoke ill of the leadership and assaulted the country's system, the official told a press conference held here.

The three Nobel laureates -- Richard J. Roberts from Britain, Finn E. Kydland from Norway, and Aaron Ciechanover from Israel -- visited the DPRK for exchanges with local college students. Their trip was co-sponsored by the International Peace Foundation and the DPRK National Peace Committee.

Wingfield-Hayes, a BBC correspondent based in Tokyo, made threatening remarks against customs officials at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, the official said.

As a professional journalist, he should have reported the stories in a correct and objective way, instead of making biased reports about the country, the official said.

The reporter, in a written statement, has made an apology to the DPRK and its people for his improper behavior, the official said.

"We will never permit him to enter the DPRK again for any reporting," the official said. Endi