North Korea invites Eric Clapton to perform in Pyongyang

Washington, Feb 27 : Legendary rocker Eric Clapton has been invited by the Government of North Korea to perform in Pyongyang.

Pop and rock 'n' roll music had been banned in the country in order to keep out so-called cultural "pollution" from the West.

Now, the North Korean State Symphony Orchestra plans to perform in London this summer as part of a tour, and Clapton has been invited to the South Asian country as part of a reciprocal cultural exchange.

"We have invited him for a concert in Pyongyang at a time of his convenience," E! Online quoted a diplomat at the North Korean London embassy as telling the Associated Foreign Press.

"We invited him in mid-January. We haven't received an answer yet. Mr. Clapton is a famous guitarist, an icon of the Western music. It's a good opportunity for the North Korean people to understand better Western music. Everyone knows who Clapton is," the diplomat added.

Clapton's spokeswoman Kristen Foster also revealed that the singer has not yet agreed to any gig.

"Eric Clapton receives numerous offers to play in countries around the world," she said.

"There is no agreement whatsoever for him to play in North Korea nor any planned shows there," she added.

ANI