North Korean authorities are intensifying surveillance and control over personal mobile phone usage. People are reportedly being investigated merely for taking photos and videos in public, while others face punishment after authorities extract information from devices left for repair. The goal appears to be monitoring whether residents are using mobile phones for unauthorized information exchange, photography, or storing and watching foreign videos. (By KANG Ji-won / HONG Mari)
◆Information Extracted Leading to Arrests
In North Korea, "Information Technology Exchange Centers" exist not only in Pyongyang but in cities nationwide. These are essentially "mobile-related shops" established under local people's committees, enterprises, and universities. Besides selling and repairing mobile phones, they offer various apps for purchase and installation. They also handle computer sales and repairs, as well as domestically produced video DVDs.
In late January, a reporting partner from Ryanggang Province shared how simply leaving a phone at these "Exchange Centers" can lead to trouble:
"A neighborhood resident was arrested after leaving their phone at the 'Exchange Center'. They had been watching Chinese movies (which are illegal) privately on their phone. Their family is convinced the 'Center' was responsible for their arrest."
This suggests the Exchange Centers are extracting information from devices left for repair and reporting it to authorities. According to our partner, this isn't an isolated incident:
"Residents now prefer paying private repairers instead of using the Exchange Centers. However, authorities seem to be pressuring even these private repairers to report any suspicious information found on phones left for repair."
