CNN is to begin broadcasting eight of its news and feature programmes in Korean for the first time as part of the global news networks distribution agreement with CSTV.

These programmes will be subtitled in Korean for cable audiences in South Korea starting today, a CNN release states.

The programmes airing in Korean will initially include 'Larry King Live', 'BizAsia', 'World Beat', 'CNNhotspots', 'CNNdotCOM', 'ebizasia', 'Science and Technology Week', and 'Business Unusual'. Yernho Kim, CEO and Chairman of CSTV says: "We are very excited to be able to offer localised versions of CNN's world quality news and other programmes to Korean audiences. In future, we will continue to expand our localised services to deliver a wider range of CNN's programmes to a greater audience."

CSTV Korea (Cable and Satellite TV Korea) signed agreements with Turner International Asia Pacific Inc. (a subsidiary of AOL Time Warner) for exclusive distribution of CNN International to cable system operators in Korea in November 2000. This was a landmark agreement as it meant CNN was the first international news channel to be officially distributed in South Korea.