North Korea, often characterized by its insularity, surprisingly accommodates a digital landscape where citizens have access to the internet, smartphones, and laptops. However, this access is tightly monitored by the government, which exercises stringent control over online content consumption. The consequences for certain infractions can be severe, ranging from imprisonment to even capital punishment.
Digital Surveillance and Control
Despite the restrictive environment, North Koreans can utilize various technologies, including smartphones that are imported from China but rebranded for local telecommunications. These devices resemble standard low-cost Android phones yet come equipped with sophisticated surveillance software known as Red Flag. This software enables the authorities to monitor user activities closely, capturing periodic screenshots to track what individuals are doing on their devices.
While the report indicates that North Korea lacks the resources to scrutinize every screenshot, the existing system instills a culture of self-censorship among the populace, driven by fear of potential repercussions. In terms of personal computing, the country has developed its own Linux-based operating system called Red Star, which similarly allows for user activity monitoring. If a North Korean citizen opens a file created outside the country, the government is immediately alerted.
Engineers in North Korea have reportedly designed software capable of tagging any media file accessed on electronic devices. Consequently, if an individual watches a foreign film on their smartphone, that file receives a unique marker, enabling the government to trace its usage across multiple devices. This tracking mechanism allows authorities to swiftly identify and penalize those who distribute foreign content among the citizenry.
Telecommunication Infrastructure
The North Korean telecommunications system, developed in collaboration with Egypt’s Orascom, operates as a dual network. This structure permits both tourists and locals to communicate within the country, yet prevents any direct contact between the two groups. Recently, foreign SIM cards have begun to infiltrate the nation, but these are actively tracked and destroyed by the regime to prevent access to the global internet.
Reports from defectors to the U.S. Committee on Human Rights in North Korea reveal that viewing certain types of foreign content can result in the death penalty. This includes materials that criticize Kim Jong-un and his family, as well as pornography. For instance, an Amnesty International report documented a case where a man was publicly executed for watching adult content with his wife, underscoring the regime’s harsh stance on such violations.
Interestingly, despite the oppressive atmosphere, there exists a black market for USB drives containing contraband pornography, smuggled from South Korea, with prices soaring to 0. This reflects both the high demand for such content and the severe penalties for those caught engaging with it.
Domestic Alternatives and Cultural Control
In this isolated nation, there is also a notable demand for foreign films and television series. To counteract the allure of foreign entertainment, the North Korean government has developed its own mobile games. Approximately 125 smartphone games are available, with one recent title featuring Cristiano Ronaldo gaining considerable popularity, as reported by the BBC in September. The regime hopes that by providing engaging local content, citizens will divert their attention from illicit foreign applications.
Photo: i.widelec.org, businessinsider.com
