N. Korean broadcaster starts real-time Facebook broadcasting

North Korea's state broadcaster started real-time Facebook broadcasting as the communist country moves to expand its propaganda efforts into the social networking realm, official sources said Thursday.

Sources, who keep tabs on the North, said that the Korean Central Television (KCTV) can be viewed on its new Facebook account(www.facebook.com/KoreanCentralTV). The account is the broadcaster's official international fan page with all materials posted in English.

The exact date of when the station started providing live services cannot be determined, but an image posted on the site showing the North's flag and Juche Tower has a date of Nov. 23, 2012.

The page, which can currently be viewed from South Korea, has numerous pieces of propaganda information highlighting the superiority of the North Korean regime as well as photos and video images of its leader Kim Jong-un.

As a rule, Seoul blocks South Koreans from viewing North Korean material via the Internet, and effectively limits access to written material out of concern Pyongyang will try to stir discord within the country.

Related to the social media post, the National Police Agency said it has formally asked the Korea Communication Standard Commission to block people from accessing the account from within the country. It said some material is in violation of the national security law.

"The site will be classified as being off limits because of materials that conflicts with national interest," a police officer said.

Meanwhile, North Korean analysts in Seoul said the latest move can be seen as an attempt by the North to distribute its propaganda material to a wider audience.

The same broadcaster had opened a French language account in May 2011, followed by the opening of a German language service in February and a Korean version late last month.

The country also operates Uriminzokkiri, its main Internet-based media and propaganda Web site that started Twitter and Facebook services in August 2010. (Yonhap News)