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New information has been released regarding the smartphones used by North Korea's elite. According to a recent analysis by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), these smartphones are a model called 'Marine 701', which is a mid-range device produced in 2023. The smartphones allow for voice calls and text messaging, and they come equipped with various applications. Notably, they include financial apps with payment and remittance functions via QR codes, as well as taxi-hailing features.
However, these smartphones come with several usage restrictions. External internet access is blocked, and they can only connect to an internal intranet network operated by the North Korean authorities. Additionally, there is censorship on the inputted text, with the word 'South Korea' automatically converted to a banned term. Defector Ryu Seong-hyun, a former North Korean military officer, explained that these smartphones are sold for about $250, making it very difficult for ordinary residents to purchase them, especially since the monthly salary of a North Korean military officer is less than $1.
While smartphone usage is expanding throughout North Korea, it is occurring within the limits set by the North Korean authorities. The smartphone's screenshot function appears to be automatically activated to strengthen control over external information. It is known that only about 10% of North Korean residents own smartphones, and these devices are said to be accessible only to the elite.