North Korea’s domestic smartphone market has seen a significant resurgence, with the variety of available models more than doubling in recent years. This expansion follows the country’s border reopening in 2023, which has revitalized the import of essential technology components. While North Korea remains dependent on Chinese manufacturers for hardware, domestic companies are increasingly focusing on software localization and marketing strategies that mirror those of international competitors. This has led to a wider selection of devices at various price points, offering consumers more choice than ever before.
The latest reports indicate that North Korea has embraced technological advancements, including the launch of a 4G network in 2023, which promises faster data connections and is expected to further drive demand for new handsets. The specifications of current North Korean smartphones are comparable to mid-market devices found globally, featuring multi-megapixel cameras and robust technical capabilities. However, these devices operate on a heavily localized version of the Android operating system, which imposes significant restrictions on their use.
Despite these limitations, the adoption of mobile phones continues to grow, with estimates suggesting between 6.5 and 7 million cellular subscriptions in a country of approximately 24 million people. This far outpaces the number of fixed-line telephones, indicating that mobile devices are often the first and only phone for many households. The market now features at least 10 companies competing for consumer attention, with some offering multiple versions of a single phone model to cater to different consumer needs and budgets.
However, the core functionality of these smartphones remains tightly controlled. All devices are equipped with software that monitors and restricts usage, preventing access to the global internet and international calls or messages. Furthermore, a recent analysis of a smuggled North Korean smartphone revealed sophisticated surveillance measures, including the automatic capturing of screenshots every five minutes and the alteration of text to align with state-approved narratives. For instance, typing “South Korea” might result in it being changed to “puppet state,” and South Korean slang terms are replaced with more politically aligned vocabulary.
North Korea enforces one of the world’s most stringent mobile censorship regimes, tightly controlling apps and internet access to prevent dissent and external influence. The state-run provider, Koryolink, offers limited 3G services, but citizens primarily access Kwangmyong, a heavily restricted national intranet. This walled-garden network features state-approved apps for news, education, and propaganda, while blocking global platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and foreign news sites.
Internet access is a rare privilege, reserved for elites and foreigners under surveillance. Most citizens use “Samjiyon” tablets and smartphones preloaded with censored apps, incapable of installing unauthorized software. Authorities employ deep packet inspection (DPI) to monitor traffic, flagging keywords related to defection or criticism. Even basic apps like maps omit sensitive locations (e.g., political prisons).
Foreign SIM cards are illegal, and devices undergo mandatory inspections. While Pyongyang’s “Wi-Fi zones” offer limited connectivity, all activity is logged. This digital isolation aims to cement ideological control, though black-market Chinese phones occasionally circumvent restrictions. Ultimately, North Korea’s mobile ecosystem functions as a tool for state propaganda, with innovation sacrificed for absolute oversight.
The North Korean smartphone market, while expanding in terms of device variety and features, continues to operate within a strictly controlled environment. The government leverages this technology for surveillance and to disseminate propaganda, ensuring that despite the increasing accessibility of mobile devices, user activity remains under constant observation and aligned with state ideology. The ongoing development in this sector highlights the regime’s strategic use of technology to maintain control while simultaneously engaging with the global technological landscape through imported hardware.
