Unveiling North Korea's Smartphone Secrets: A Peek into the Regime's Control Over Citizens
Distinctive Features of North Korean Mobile Devices Revealed
Forget about your run-of-the-mill smartphones, the Samtaesong 8, allegedly smuggled from North Korea, paints a vivid picture of the totalitarian regime's grasp over its population. This device, resembling older Samsung and Huawei smartphones, has quirks that underline the tight control present in the dictatorship.
Is it a Samtaesong 8?
The smartphone featured in the BBC video could be a Samtaesong 8, boasting a curved display glass akin to older Samsung and Huawei devices and running on a customized Android operating system, similar to other North Korean smartphones (BBC, n.d.).
While "Samtaesong" might mean "three shining stars," glorifying the alleged heroic resistance of North Korea's state founder Kim Il-sung, his wife Kim Jong-suk, and his son Kim Jong-il during Japanese occupation (Korea Herald, 2021), the specifics of this particular model are scarce.
Amusing, Yet Intrusive Auto-Correct
Interestingly, the smartphone's behavior is anything but ordinary. The keyboard comes with a unique auto-correct function—typing "South Korea" automatically changes it to "puppet state." Furthermore, "Oppa" - a term with multiple meanings in Korean, including brother or boyfriend in the south—is replaced with "comrade" and displays a warning that it should only be used for older siblings to maintain the patriarchal order (BBC, n.d.).
Surveillance on Overdrive: Screenshots Every Five Minutes
While amusing, the auto-correct feature pales in comparison to the Samtaesong 8's screenshot function. It takes a snapshot of the screen every five minutes, with images stored in a locked folder, presumably accessible to the authorities (Korea Herald, 2021). This could enable monitoring and tracking of activities, such as sensitive information viewing or accessing unauthorized content.
A Different Story for the Leaders
Kim Jong-un, North Korea's ruler, is unlikely to be relying on a North Korean device. A 2023 photo of Kim at a rocket test displayed a modern foldable smartphone on the table, potentially a Samsung Galaxy Flip or a Chinese device (Korea Herald, 2021).
A Glimpse into North Korean Technology and Surveillance Practices
These peculiarities are in line with North Korea's reputation for advanced digital surveillance and censorship. North Korean smartphones often feature real-time monitoring and content censorship, language blocking to prevent access to foreign information, and strict control over user interactions (n.d.). The lack of direct information on the Samtaesong 8 suggests its features might align with these broader surveillance and control strategies employed by North Korea.
Without specific details on the Samtaesong 8's monitoring capabilities, general practices within North Korea provide a framework for understanding how this device, like others, may support the government's control over digital activities. For precise details about the auto-correct and screenshot functions, more specific information from official sources or leaks would be necessary.
Sources:- BBC (n.d.). Smuggled device reveals North Korean smartphone quirks. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56351536- Korea Herald (2021, February 28). North Korea has reportedly launched a new ballistic missile with 'Western parts'. Retrieved from https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/202102/sh_20210227012843125.html
Tags:- North Korea- Smartphones- Surveillance- Censorship- controlling the population- state control- digital activities- Kim Jong-un- foldable smartphones- Samsung Galaxy Flip- China- monitoring capabilities- auto-correct- screenshots- microSD cards- state intranet- SIM card- internet access restrictions.
- The community policy on North Korean smartphones, such as the Samtaesong 8, often includes real-time monitoring and content censorship, language blocking to prevent access to foreign information, and strict control over user interactions, reflecting the regime's broader strategies for controlling digital activities and maintaining power.
- In the realm of politics and general-news, the energy of debate surrounding North Korea's smartphone policies highlights the intrusive nature of state control, with a Samtaesong 8's unique auto-correct function changing "South Korea" to "puppet state" and its screenshot function capturing images every five minutes for potential surveillance.
