North Korea Exposes Products in Commercial Advertisement Style Through Smartphone Usage Program

North Korea's Chosun Central TV has garnered attention by airing a program on smartphone usage that unusually exposes products in a form similar to commercial advertisements.

On the 21st, Chosun Central TV introduced smartphone usage in a program titled "Things to Know About Using Mobile Phones," stating, "Today, mobile phones, one of the means of communication, are an indispensable luxury in our lives."

The broadcast provided various practical information to viewers, including methods to prevent exposure to electromagnetic waves, ways to reduce eye strain by adjusting screen brightness, and precautions when charging the battery.

Notably, during the program, there were close-up shots of smartphones and detailed views of the front and back of products, elements rarely seen in typical North Korean broadcasts. This is evaluated as a rare case of North Korean media directly exposing commercial elements.

Emphasis on Advanced Features of North Korea's Own Brand 'Madosan' Smartphone

The products featured in the broadcast were foldable smartphones under the 'Madosan' brand, equipped with dual cameras on the front and triple cameras on the back, totaling five lenses for a premium model.

Another model was reported to have a quad camera configuration consisting of four lenses on the back.

Chosun Central TV aired a similar program on the 18th, during which it highlighted the smartphone's appearance by providing information that an 80% charge is appropriate for battery life management.

In North Korea, all propaganda media is controlled by the state, and no TV program can be broadcast without the approval of the Workers' Party's Propaganda and Agitation Department.

Since the late 2000s, Chosun Central TV has intermittently broadcast commercial advertisements for products such as Gaeseong Korean Ginseng, Taedonggang Beer, and Okryu Gwan; however, these advertisements are not regularly aired as they are considered to contain anti-socialist elements.

Growth and Current Status of North Korea's Smartphone Market

The broadcast of smartphone advertisements under the guise of a lifestyle information program is analyzed to reflect the North Korean authorities' intent to promote the 'Madosan' brand among residents.

According to a report titled "North Korea's Smartphones in 2024" released by Martin Williams from the U.S. think tank Crimson Center in September last year, it is estimated that the number of mobile phone subscribers in North Korea ranges from 6.5 million to 7 million. Additionally, the variety of smartphone models sold in North Korea has doubled over the past two years, with new brands emerging.

Currently, around ten companies are reported to be selling smartphones and feature phones.

However, it is known that no smartphones are produced in North Korea itself; instead, Chinese companies produce the products according to specifications and sell them under North Korean firms' names.

Image source: Chosun Central TV, Capture from North Korea Foreign Trade Magazine