Our television and radio programming is derived largely from two sources: satellite services provided by the American Forces Radio and Television Service’s Broadcast Center in Riverside, California, and locally produced programs.
 
On television, programs received from the Broadcast Center include some of the most popular shows back in the United States--as well as live breaking news and sporting events. Local programs include AFN Korea news stories, “Fronline In Review” and a host of one-and two-minute information spots on a variety of topics important to U.S. Forces Korea.
 
On the radio, AFN The Eagle broadcasts live twelve hours a day, Monday through Friday with military disc jockeys providing the best in contemporary hits, news and information. The remainder of the programming is provided by satellite services. Thunder AM delivers a variety of satellite programming and is totally automated.  Programming consists of country music, oldies, classic rock, talk radio, news and news talk.

We provide a range of services designed to keep listeners and viewers informed on important issues and events concerning U.S. Forces Korea, as well as helping make local events more meaningful and entertaining.  These services include: providing news coverage of significant command or community activities; conducting interviews with subject matter experts and many of the distinguished visitors to the Republic of Korea; producing promotional spots and announcements on topics of interest or concern; hosting contests and giveaways on our FM service; and conducting live radio remotes at community events.

History

The American Forces Network Korea (AFN-K) was first organized in 1945 as part of the Armed Forces Radio Service’s (AFRS) Far East Network. Radio stations were established at various locations throughout Korea.  The Korean War began on June 25, 1950 and the first AFRS correspondent arrived at Pusan in July. In September, the 8214th Army Unit was created as an official military news network.

Lead elements of the network came ashore during the Inchon landing and set up broadcasting facilities in the partially destroyed American embassy in Seoul. This station signed on October 3, 1950 at 12:41 a.m., with a newscast that led with General Douglas MacArthur’s demand for the surrender of Kim Il-Sung, Commander-in-Chief of North Korean forces.

During the war, the unit operated from mobile radio vans that followed the shifting battle lines.  In 1951, the 8214th was redesignated as American Forces Korea Network, the predecessor to today’s AFN Korea.

After the signing of the cease fire agreement, AFKN settled into fixed locations, five of which are still active today in Seoul, Osan, Kunsan, Daegu and Camp Casey. In April 1954, AFKN opened studios at its present location in Seoul.  In July, radio broadcasts began at Osan Air Base.  The network broadcast its first live telecast on January 4, 1959.

AFKN continued the upgrade of its broadcast capabilities for most of its affiliates in the 1960s. By Christmas of 1963, “mini-TV” stations were established throughout South Korea.  In 1965, limited FM radio service was available to listeners.  In 1966 Seoul was established as the network’s flagship station and the affiliate stations throughout the peninsula had limited break-away capability for local shows.

In 1972, the network began providing live sports coverage with the aid of satellite communication systems.  In 1973, AFKN received the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for its performance and coverage of events within the peninsula.  In 1979, the network received approval to broadcast all TV programs in color.

In October 1982, operational control of the American Forces Korea Network was transferred from the American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) to the Army Broadcasting Service (ABS). In 1983, AFKN again benefited from the use of satellite technology.  The instant access and dissemination of information gave the network the ability to bring time-sensitive news and sports directly to the audience 24-hours-a-day. The following year, AFKN handed over all transmitter operation and maintenance to the 1st Signal Brigade, an agreement which exists to this day.

In 1988, AFKN became the first military network to work with a major U.S. network to cover an Olympiad – the 24th Summer Olympic Games in Seoul. The following year, AFKN was awarded the Army Broadcasting Service “Pioneer Award” and the U.S. Army Superior Unit Award for its work during the Olympic Games.

AFKN has covered countless historical events as well as presidential and heads of state visits dating back to the Eisenhower era.  In addition to providing news and entertainment programming, the network has a separate and distinct war-fighting mission as part of the United States Forces – Korea.  It serves as a vital source of command information before and during any potential hostilities.  During the 1994 Ulchi Focus Lens exercise, AFKN conducted the first live telecast originating from outside Seoul with live “news teases” from Camp Walker. The first live newscast from outside of the television studio followed in the summer of 1996.

On April 2, 2001, the name of the network was changed from AFKN to AFN-Korea, to fall in line with the worldwide AFRTS branding and naming convention.

In 2004, ABS entered into a partnership with a major web production company to host a Korea-specific Web site. This site has effectively evolved into a third medium to complement AFN-K’S radio and television communication efforts.

Whether in peacetime or war, AFN Korea will continue its mission to provide quality programming, news, command information and entertainment to the outstanding men and women of the United States Forces – Korea. 

Our television and radio programming is derived largely from two sources: satellite services provided by the American Forces Radio and Television Service’s Broadcast Center in Riverside, California, and locally produced programs.
 
On television, programs received from the Broadcast Center include some of the most popular shows back in the United States--as well as live breaking news and sporting events. Local programs include AFN Korea news stories, “Fronline In Review” and a host of one-and two-minute information spots on a variety of topics important to U.S. Forces Korea.
 
On the radio, AFN The Eagle broadcasts live twelve hours a day, Monday through Friday with military disc jockeys providing the best in contemporary hits, news and information. The remainder of the programming is provided by satellite services. Thunder AM delivers a variety of satellite programming and is totally automated.  Programming consists of country music, oldies, classic rock, talk radio, news and news talk.

We provide a range of services designed to keep listeners and viewers informed on important issues and events concerning U.S. Forces Korea, as well as helping make local events more meaningful and entertaining.  These services include: providing news coverage of significant command or community activities; conducting interviews with subject matter experts and many of the distinguished visitors to the Republic of Korea; producing promotional spots and announcements on topics of interest or concern; hosting contests and giveaways on our FM service; and conducting live radio remotes at community events.

History

The American Forces Network Korea (AFN-K) was first organized in 1945 as part of the Armed Forces Radio Service’s (AFRS) Far East Network. Radio stations were established at various locations throughout Korea.  The Korean War began on June 25, 1950 and the first AFRS correspondent arrived at Pusan in July. In September, the 8214th Army Unit was created as an official military news network.

Lead elements of the network came ashore during the Inchon landing and set up broadcasting facilities in the partially destroyed American embassy in Seoul. This station signed on October 3, 1950 at 12:41 a.m., with a newscast that led with General Douglas MacArthur’s demand for the surrender of Kim Il-Sung, Commander-in-Chief of North Korean forces.

During the war, the unit operated from mobile radio vans that followed the shifting battle lines.  In 1951, the 8214th was redesignated as American Forces Korea Network, the predecessor to today’s AFN Korea.

After the signing of the cease fire agreement, AFKN settled into fixed locations, five of which are still active today in Seoul, Osan, Kunsan, Daegu and Camp Casey. In April 1954, AFKN opened studios at its present location in Seoul.  In July, radio broadcasts began at Osan Air Base.  The network broadcast its first live telecast on January 4, 1959.

AFKN continued the upgrade of its broadcast capabilities for most of its affiliates in the 1960s. By Christmas of 1963, “mini-TV” stations were established throughout South Korea.  In 1965, limited FM radio service was available to listeners.  In 1966 Seoul was established as the network’s flagship station and the affiliate stations throughout the peninsula had limited break-away capability for local shows.

In 1972, the network began providing live sports coverage with the aid of satellite communication systems.  In 1973, AFKN received the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for its performance and coverage of events within the peninsula.  In 1979, the network received approval to broadcast all TV programs in color.

In October 1982, operational control of the American Forces Korea Network was transferred from the American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) to the Army Broadcasting Service (ABS). In 1983, AFKN again benefited from the use of satellite technology.  The instant access and dissemination of information gave the network the ability to bring time-sensitive news and sports directly to the audience 24-hours-a-day. The following year, AFKN handed over all transmitter operation and maintenance to the 1st Signal Brigade, an agreement which exists to this day.

In 1988, AFKN became the first military network to work with a major U.S. network to cover an Olympiad – the 24th Summer Olympic Games in Seoul. The following year, AFKN was awarded the Army Broadcasting Service “Pioneer Award” and the U.S. Army Superior Unit Award for its work during the Olympic Games.

AFKN has covered countless historical events as well as presidential and heads of state visits dating back to the Eisenhower era.  In addition to providing news and entertainment programming, the network has a separate and distinct war-fighting mission as part of the United States Forces – Korea.  It serves as a vital source of command information before and during any potential hostilities.  During the 1994 Ulchi Focus Lens exercise, AFKN conducted the first live telecast originating from outside Seoul with live “news teases” from Camp Walker. The first live newscast from outside of the television studio followed in the summer of 1996.

On April 2, 2001, the name of the network was changed from AFKN to AFN-Korea, to fall in line with the worldwide AFRTS branding and naming convention.

In 2004, ABS entered into a partnership with a major web production company to host a Korea-specific Web site. This site has effectively evolved into a third medium to complement AFN-K’S radio and television communication efforts.

Whether in peacetime or war, AFN Korea will continue its mission to provide quality programming, news, command information and entertainment to the outstanding men and women of the United States Forces – Korea.