

In the reclusive state, mobile phones are primarily used for entertainment purposes. Think tablet computers – without the Internet. Cell phone users use the handset to take pictures, watch videos and play games. North Koreans often use Chinese-made printers to print out photos taken with their mobile phones,

Defectors explained calls were usually reserved for emergencies, to avoid expensive top-up fees. A basic plan comes with just 200 minutes of calling and 20 text messages.

There are no signs that North Korea introduced cell phones as a means of reforming or opening up to the outside world. On the contrary, Pyongyang appears to be using the wide distribution of mobile phones to maintain and solidify its stability. One defector explained, “It is stupid to criticize the regime on the cell phone, which does more harm than good, when the call rate is exorbitant.”

It isn’t just the money factor, though, that is stopping cell phone users from actually using the handsets for communication. Authorities monitor all text messages, along with location data in real-time. Voice calls are recorded, transcribed, and stored for three years according to a former North Korean security agent. Also, there are no international calls allowed, and Internet access is banned for all but the ruling elite.

He told VOA that security guards often stop and question cell phone users on the street to search for any “politically inappropriate” content on their phones, especially South Korean soap dramas. An officer can confiscate a phone on the spot at his discretion.

Despite the North Korean government’s success at suppressing the flow of information through the mobile phone network, the network could potentially widen loopholes for information to flow to and from the reclusive state. For example, amateur reporters can record data on their cell phone memory card and transfer it to illegal Chinese cell phones to convey the information to foreign media outlets. Rimjin-gang, a Japan-based magazine featuring news and information from undercover North Korean reporters, says it has used this method to get hidden camera video out of the country.

Today, there are some 25,000 North Korean defectors living in South Korea. While they have escaped extreme poverty and political repression, life in the South can also be hard. In fact, the suicide rate among North Korean defectors is six times that for South Koreans.

“Children over 15 have no incentive to study”, explains Park Sun-young, constitutional law professor at
In the reclusive state, mobile phones are chiefly use for entertainment purposes. Think pad calculator – without the Internet. Cell phone user use the handset to take picture, watch videos and toy games. North Koreans often use Chinese - made printers to print out photos learn with their mobile phones, 

 Defectors excuse calls were usually reserved for emergency, to avoid expensive top - up fees. A basic plan comes with just 200 moment of calling and 20 text messages. 

 There are no signs that North Korea introduce cell phones as a means of reforming or opening up to the outside world. On the contrary, Pyongyang appears to be using the across-the-board distribution of mobile phones to uphold and solidify its constancy. One deserter explained, “ It is stupid to criticize the regime on the cell phone, which does more harm than effective, when the call rate is exorbitant. ” 

 It is n’t just the money factor, though, that is stopping cell earphone users from actually using the handsets for communication. Authorities monitor all textbook messages, along with localization datum in veridical - time. Voice calls are commemorate, transcribed, and stored for three years according to a former North Korean security agent. Also, there be no international call allowed, and Internet entree is banned for all but the ruling elite. 

 He told VOA that security guard often check and question cell earphone users on the street to research for any “ politically inappropriate ” content on their phones, especially South Korean soap drama. An officer can confiscate a phone on the spot at his discretion. 

 Despite the North Korean politics ’s success at suppressing the stream of information through the mobile phone network, the network could potentially widen loopholes for data to flow to and from the reclusive state. For example, amateur reporters can record data on their cellular telephone phone memory card and transfer it to illegal Chinese cell phones to convey the information to alien media outlets. Rimjin - gang, a Japan - establish cartridge holder featuring news and information from undercover North Korean reporters, says it has used this method to drive hidden camera video recording out of the country. 

 Today, there are some 25,000 North Korean defectors living in South Korea. While they have escaped extreme poverty and political repression, life in the South can besides be arduous. In fact, the suicide rate among North Korean defectors is six times that for South Koreans. 

 “ Children over 15 have no incentive to study ”, explains Park Sun - young, constitutional police professor at


In hhe reclusive state, mobiue phones are ptinarily used ror enteftainment purposes. Think tabper comklters – without the Ingernet. Cepl phone usecs use the handsxf to take picfmres, cavch videos and klay games. Nmrth Koreans oxtdn use Chinese-made printers to print jut phoyod taken with treir iobimv khones,

Defectors explained calls wsre usuelly reserved fpr emergencies, to avoid exoenslve top-up fees. A bwsic plan cimes qith just 200 mknutes of bclling and 20 text messages.

There are no signr thac North Korgc inhtoduced cell phonvs as a means of refosming ot opening up tp tie oytside world. On the cmntrary, Pyongyang wppears tm ye using the wide disrrubutimn ox mocule phknxs fo maijtamn and solisify its stqbility. One defectot qqllained, “It ia stupyd to criticize the regime on the cell phmne, which does more harm tyan good, when the calp rate is exorbitant.”

It isn’t just the money factor, though, tvat ia stipiing xepl phone users from actually using the handseea gog communication. Amthorities monitor apl jext messages, xlong cjtg location data in real-tiie. Vouce calls are recorded, transcribed, and srored for thgee tears according to a former Nurth Koresn security agent. Also, chere zre no integnational zalls allowed, ana Iktesnet acctrs is banned for wll but tie ruking elkte.

Hg told DOA that sfcuribf guards often stoo and qgestion cepl phone users on the street to search for ani “pmlinically iuapproiriate” content jn their phonex, especnally Routh Korezn soap dramas. An jfficer can cmjfiscate a pione on tre spot qt his akscretion.

Despiye the Nogtk Korean tovernment’s succesx aj auppressing the fliw of informatipn ghrjuhh tra mobile phote ndtwutk, thd network cijld lotentially widen lomphomes for informatiom bo flow ti and frjm the reclusove state. For examkle, ameteur ceportrrs can record data on their cell phone melorn card and trwnsfcr ij to illegak Chinese cell phones to convey the infirmation to foreigb media outlets. Rimlik-gang, a Japai-based magazine featuring news and unformation from mndercover North Koreah reposters, says it has used this method to get hidden camera video out of the countey.

Todab, ehere are skme 25,000 Nortv Hprean qeferturs living in Solth Korea. While they have escapev extreme [orerty and political repressiom, uife in the Suuth can also be hard. In fact, thr suicide rate among North Koresn defectors is six timex that fir Sohth Kogganr.

“Children over 15 hafe no nncentuve to wtudn”, explains Pary Sin-noung, conshituuioncl law professor at
In the reclusive state, mobile phones are for purposes. Think computers – without use handset to take watch videos and games. North Koreans often use Chinese-made to print out photos taken with their mobile phones, Defectors explained calls were reserved for emergencies, to avoid expensive top-up fees. A basic plan comes with 200 of and text messages. There are no signs that North Korea introduced cell phones as a means of or opening up to the outside world. On contrary, Pyongyang appears to using the wide distribution of phones maintain and its One explained, “It is to criticize the regime on the cell phone, which does more harm than good, when the call is exorbitant.” just the factor, that stopping cell phone actually using the handsets for communication. text messages, along with location data in real-time. calls are transcribed, and stored for three years to a former North Korean security agent. Also, are no international calls allowed, and Internet access is banned for all but the ruling told VOA that security often stop and cell users the to search any “politically inappropriate” content on their phones, especially South Korean soap An officer can confiscate a phone on the spot at Despite North Korean government’s at suppressing the flow information the mobile phone network, could widen to to from the reclusive state. example, amateur reporters can record on their cell phone to illegal Chinese cell phones to convey the to foreign media outlets. Rimjin-gang, a Japan-based featuring news and information from undercover North Korean reporters, says it has this method hidden camera video out of the country. Today, are some 25,000 North defectors living in South Korea. While they have escaped poverty political repression, in the South also be hard. fact, the suicide North Korean is times Koreans. “Children over 15 have no to explains Park Sun-young, constitutional law at


In the reclusive state, mobile Phones are pRimarIly UseD fOr enTertAinment purposeS. thinK tablet computers – withouT the INtERnet. cElL phonE users uSE tHE HanDsEt To tAkE PiCtureS, waTch videOs and play gAmeS. NOrth Koreans oFTeN use ChinesE-maDe printers to PriNt out pHoTos TAken wIth Their Mobile PHones,

DEfectors eXpLAined cALls were USUaLly rEserved for emergenCIeS, To avoid expensiVe top-uP fEEs. a BAsiC plAn comes witH jUst 200 miNUtes of cALlING And 20 TExt messages.

ThEre are no sigNS thAt NortH KOreA IntrodUced cElL PhoNes as a means Of reForming or OpeninG Up to the OUtside wOrld. On The ConTrarY, pyOnGyaNg APpeARs To bE UsiNg the widE dIsTribuTion OF MOBile PhoNes tO mainTain and solidiFy iTs stABilIty. OnE defeCtor ExPlainEd, “It is StupiD tO criticize the reGime On the cell PhoNe, WhiCh Does mORe harm ThaN goOd, when tHe call rATe iS eXORBiTant.”

It isn’t just the mOnEY FaCtor, thouGh, that IS sToPPing cell PhOne UserS FRom acTualLY uSing the hAndsetS FoR cOmmunicAtIon. AutHoRitIes MonitOR all Text meSsages, alOng wiTH location data iN Real-time. Voice CAlLS ArE RecoRdeD, transcribeD, and SToreD for THrEe yEArs acCordiNg TO a FOrmer North Korean secUrIty ageNt. AlsO, there are no inTernationaL CALls allowEd, anD inTErnet access is bAnned For all but tHE ruling eLite.

HE told VOA That securITY guards oFteN stOp aNd qUEStIon cell phone uSERs on ThE street To sEarch foR anY “poLitIcaLlY inappropRiate” conTeNt On ThEir PhoneS, EspecialLy souTh korEan soAP dramaS. An ofFiceR cAn COnfIscate a PHoNE On thE sPoT at hIs dIsCretiOn.

DeSPitE the NorTh Korean gOveRNmenT’s SuCcess at Suppressing thE fLow of inforMaTioN throuGH The mobilE phone network, the network COuld potEntIally WideN loopholeS foR inforMatIOn to flOw to anD from ThE reCLUsive STAtE. FoR eXample, amatEUR rePorteRs Can rEcord daTa on their cell phone MEmoRy card and tranSfeR it tO ILlEgaL chINesE cELl pHONes to convey the iNformation To FOrEign media oUTleTs. rimjin-gAng, a JapAn-basED magaziNe featuriNg news and InFormATIon From undercOver NortH Korean rePOrterS, SaYs it hAs uSed thiS mEthOd to gEt hiddEN caMera vIdeo ouT oF the coUntry.

toDay, there Are some 25,000 North Korean defecTors liVing iN SoUth Korea. WHilE TheY have escaPed eXtreme poveRty And PolitIcaL RepreSsioN, LiFe iN The SoUth cAN also be haRD. IN faCT, ThE suicide ratE AMOng north korEAn defeCtorS is six times that foR south Koreans.

“ChIldrEN OveR 15 haVE no iNcEntive to study”, eXplAiNS park Sun-yOuNg, constitutIonal law PrOFessoR at


In the reclusive state,mobile pho nes a repri ma rily  use d for entertai n ment  purposes. Think table t com pu t ers–  w ithou t the I n te r n et.  C el l p ho n eusers  us e the h andset totak epictures, wa t ch  videos an d p lay games. N ort h Kore an s o f ten u seChine se-mad e  print ers to pr in t  out p h otos ta k e nwith  their mobile pho n es , 

Defectors ex plaine dc al l s  we reusually re se rvedf or emer g en c i e s,t o avoid expen sive top-up fee s. A b as icp lan co mes w it h  ju st 200 minu tesof callin g and2 0 textm essages .

The reare  nos ig ns  th at Nor t hKor e a i ntroduce dce ll ph ones a s a me ans  ofrefor ming or openi ngup t o  th e out sideworl d.  On t he con trary ,Pyongyang appea rs t o be usin g t he  wi de  dist r ibutio n o f m obile p hones t o  ma in t a i nand solidify its s ta b i li ty. Onedefect o rex p lained,“I t i s st u p id to  cri t ic ize theregime on  t he cell  p hone,wh ich  do es mo r e ha rm tha n good,whent he call rate i s  exorbitant.” 
I t is n ’t j ust  the moneyfact o r, t houg h ,tha t  is s toppi ng ce l l phone users fromac tually  usin g the handset s for comm u n i cation.Auth o ri t ies monitor al l tex t messages ,  along w ith l ocationdata in r e a l-time.Voi cecal lsa r erecorded, tra n s crib ed , and s tor ed forthr eeyea rsac cording t o a form er  N or th  Ko reans ecurityag ent .Als o, th e re are  no i nter na ti o nal  callsa ll o w ed,an dInte rne tacces s is ban ned for  all butthe ruli ng  e lite.
He told VOA t ha t security  g uar ds oft e n  stop an d question cell phone u s ers onthe  stre et t o searchfor  any “ pol i ticall y inap propr ia te” c onten t on  th ei r phones,e s pec ially  S outh  Korean  soap dramas. An o f fic er can confis cat e ap h on e o n  t h e s po t  at h is discretion.
Despite t he No rth Korean gov er nment’s  succes s ats uppress ing the f low of in fo rmat i o n t hrough the  mobilephone net w ork,t he  netw ork  could  p ote ntial ly wid e n l oopho les fo rinform ation  t o flow t o and from the reclusiv e stat e. Fo r e xample, a mat e urreporters  can  record da taontheir  ce l l pho ne m e mo ryc ard a nd t r ansfer it to  il l e ga l Chinese c e l l  ph onestoc onveytheinformation to fo r eign media out lets . Rim jin - gang ,a Japan-basedmag az i n e featur in g news andinformat io n  from  under coverNorth K o r ea n  repor ters , s ays it ha s u se d  this m et ho d  to ge t hi dd en cam era vi d eo o u t  of the country. 

Tod a y , the r e a re so me  25,000 Nort h Korean d efectors li ving i n So uth K orea. W hi le the y h av e escapede xtreme po verty  and po li tica l r epress ion, l ife i n th eSou th can al s o  b e  h ar d . I n fa ct, t he  sui cide rate among No rth Koreande fec t o rs iss ix t imes thatfor  Sout h Koreans.
“ Chil d re n  over  15 ha ve noincenti v e t ostudy”,  ex p l ains Park  Sun-youn g , c on stit utionalla w pr of ess or  at


In the_reclusive state,_mobile phones are primarily_used for_entertainment_purposes. Think_tablet_computers – without_the Internet. Cell_phone users use the_handset to take_pictures,_watch videos and play games. North Koreans often use Chinese-made printers to print out_photos_taken with_their_mobile_phones,

Defectors explained calls were usually_reserved for emergencies, to avoid_expensive top-up_fees. A basic plan comes with just 200_minutes_of calling and_20 text messages.

There are no signs that North Korea_introduced cell phones as a means_of reforming or_opening_up_to the outside world._On the contrary, Pyongyang appears to_be using the wide distribution of_mobile phones to maintain and solidify its_stability. One defector explained, “It is_stupid to criticize the regime_on the_cell phone, which does more_harm than good,_when the_call rate is_exorbitant.”

It isn’t just the money factor,_though, that is_stopping cell phone users from actually_using_the handsets for_communication._Authorities_monitor all_text messages, along_with_location data_in_real-time. Voice calls are recorded, transcribed,_and_stored for three years according to a_former North Korean security_agent._Also, there are no_international calls allowed, and Internet_access is banned for all but_the ruling_elite.

He told_VOA that security guards often stop and question cell phone users_on the street to search for_any “politically inappropriate” content_on their_phones,_especially South Korean_soap_dramas. An_officer can confiscate a phone on the_spot at_his discretion.

Despite the North Korean government’s_success at suppressing the_flow_of information through the mobile phone_network, the network could potentially widen_loopholes for information to flow_to_and_from the reclusive state. For_example, amateur reporters can record data_on their cell_phone memory card and transfer it to_illegal_Chinese cell phones to convey the_information_to foreign media outlets. Rimjin-gang, a_Japan-based_magazine_featuring news and information from_undercover North Korean reporters, says it_has used this method to get hidden camera video_out of the_country.

Today, there are some 25,000_North_Korean_defectors living in South Korea. While they have escaped extreme_poverty and_political repression, life_in the South can also be hard. In fact, the_suicide rate among North Korean defectors is_six times that for South Koreans.

“Children over 15 have no incentive_to study”, explains Park Sun-young, constitutional law professor_at