North Korea’s Pyongyang Time
Some people could only wish to turn back the time. But North Korea has done it literally, as its citizens set their clocks back by 30 minutes before August 15 midnight strikes, marking their 'true liberation' from Japan. The new time zone is referred to as "Pyongyang Time" and it coincides with the peninsula's 70th Liberation Day.
The state television agency has broadcasted the event, showing men in traditional costume striking a big ceremonial bell. Ships' sirens, whistles and more bells signaled the change as well.
This means that North Korea and South Korea now have a time zone difference of 30 minutes, with the latter sharing the same time zone with Japan. The Unification Ministry in Seoul, which handles affairs between both states, has warned last week (before the north has turned back its clock) that the move could present potential problems and challenges.
For one, it could complicate the operations of north-based Kaesong Industrial, which is jointly run by the south and north. President Park Geun-hye has also deemed it "regrettable", considering that it would get in the way of their unification.
However, North Korea has mocked the other nation for choosing to remain under Japan's rule - referring to South Korea's decision to stick to similar time zone as Tokyo and forming trade relations with the imperialist country.
Before Korea was under Japanese rule and before it was divided into north and south, it ran at GMT +8:30. However, it shifted to Japan standard time at GMT +9 during the colonization period. Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), state-run news agency, has stated that this "deprived Korea of even its standard time".
South Korea was the first to make an effort in turning back to their original time zone in 1954. But it changed to Japan standard time again after Park Chung-hee, President Park's father, was appointed the head of a military coup in 1961. According to the older Park, it was only rational to share the time zone to manage smooth operational planning, considering both countries are major U.S. allies.
The more traditional North Korea didn't believe in becoming an ally with Japan and America, even today. This is why it has set its clocks back by 30 minutes.
According to Jong Sok, the chief astronomer of North Korea, it makes perfect sense and is only appropriate.
"I think it is the lawful right of a sovereign state that our republic - to mark the 70th anniversary of our liberation and the 70th anniversary of the defeat of Japanese imperialism - has announced our time as Pyongyang Time, the same as our ancestors used and which was robbed from us by the Japanese imperialists".
