New York Philharmonic Orchestra in Pyong Yang

On February 27, 2008, Pyong Yang opened its doors to the New York Phiharmonic Orchestra. Is this a true sign of change or merely a symbolic gesture?

This is probably only a symbolic gesture because internet access in North Korea is illegal unless it's under the watchful eye of the North Korean government, specifically Kim Jong-il. The average North Korean youngster hasn't even heard of Facebook or Google. Internet access is illegal unless it's under the watchful eye of the state. Vice Foreign MInister Kim Gai Gwan says that it's important for young people's minds not to get "corrupted". Even TVs are a luxury. Only 1 million families out of 22 million households have TVs. North Koreans' opinions of the West are also contradictory. On one hand, they're saying "Our impression of the United States is not very good", but on the other hand, they're saying that "The relationship between the United States & North Korea is developing now". So, what's the true impression North Koreans have of the US and Americans? Also, many North Koreans are under the false impression that the Korean War was caused by the US. So I see hypocrisy in North Korea. It's like what do North Koreans want? Are they content with their country's relationship with the US being "not so good" or do they want relationships with the outside world to develop?

However, ABC's Bob Woodruff has discovered that young people may be opening up. In his hotel room, Woodruff had internet access and he discovered that the people who know how to set up internet access are young North Koreans.

North Korea has also invited Eric Clapton, a US rock star to play in their country, but in a country so closed and suspicious, it's unclear whether this will happen. As long as North Korea remains politically closed, its economic development will be hindered.