North Korean soldiers recently deployed to Russia are reportedly getting unrestricted internet access for the first time. This data deluge and freedom is said to have led many of these soldiers to get hooked to pornographic content. A Financial Times commentator on foreign relations first wrote in a post that the soldiers’ online activity has caused significant discomfort for Russian authorities, including President Vladimir Putin. While exact details on internet usage remain limited, their “porn addiction” is said to have not gone well with the Russian President Vladimir Putin.
North Korean soldiers in Russia distracted by porn
In late October, reports confirmed that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers had arrived in Russia to support President Vladimir Putin’s military efforts near Ukraine. This deployment has come amid Russia’s struggle to reinforce its front lines, particularly in regions such as Kursk, where Ukrainian forces continue to make advancements. NATO and Pentagon sources have both verified the presence of North Korean troops in Russia, though details on their exact deployment roles remain undisclosed.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Financial Times foreign affairs commentator Gideon Rachman wrote that North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia have been given access to the internet without the strict limitations they face in North Korea. This access marks a stark contrast to the highly restricted digital landscape in North Korea, where citizens have access only to a tightly controlled, state-run intranet that limits information to government-approved sources.
According to Rachman, a “usually reliable source” has indicated that North Korean troops have been spending significant time online, with a particular focus on adult content. Rachman’s report suggests that these soldiers are “gorging on pornography,” an activity strictly prohibited in North Korea, where even minor infractions against state-imposed cultural rules are often met with severe punishment.
Official reactions and security concerns
The U.S. Department of Defense responded to these reports, with spokesperson Maj. Charlie Dietz stating that the Pentagon could not confirm any details regarding North Korean soldiers’ internet usage in Russia. Dietz emphasised that the primary concern for the Pentagon remains the military and strategic implications of the North Korean-Russian alliance rather than the soldiers’ online activity. He noted that questions regarding internet access are best directed to Moscow, underscoring that the U.S. focus is on “more serious aspects of the North Korean military relationship with Russia.”
Life in North Korea: Strict digital and social controls
The report highlights how shocking unrestricted internet access may be for these North Korean soldiers, coming from a country where information access is tightly controlled. In North Korea, browsing the internet, especially accessing foreign or “unapproved” content, can have dire consequences. According to the Seoul-based Database Centre for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB), consuming or distributing foreign media is punishable by severe penalties, including death.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the establishment of a secret squad tasked with tracking and punishing individuals who consume or distribute foreign media. The penalties for watching or sharing “impure cultural contents,” including pornography, have been severe. NKDB reports that in some cases, individuals have been executed for viewing or sharing banned content. This highly restrictive environment underscores the drastic change in digital freedom that these soldiers are experiencing in Russia.
Also read | Peroxide codes November 2024 | Airtel Prepaid Recharge Plans | Jio Prepaid Recharge Plans