Economists estimate as many as six million North Koreans or a quarter of the population, now have mobile phones. Reuters gives you an insight on how a sanctions-busting smartphone business thrives in North Korea: via juminism
SEOUL - North Korea is evading U.N. sanctions to cash in on soaring domestic demand for smartphones, using low-cost hardware imports to generate significant income for the regime, according to defectors, experts and an analysis of North Korean-made phones.
The phones feature Taiwanese semiconductors, batteries made in China and a version of Google’s open-source Android operating system, analysis of the North Korean phones revealed.because of the North's weapons programs prohibit imports of mobile phone hardware. International brands such as Apple iPhones are not publicly on sale, but traders and wealthy North Koreans can buy them outside the country and use them with local SIM cards, defectors say.
Apps such as maps, games and an English dictionary show they are developed by North Korean engineers at state-run enterprises or state universities. One young North Korean woman surnamed Choi recalled selling two pigs and smuggling herbs from China to raise the 1,300 Chinese yuan her family needed to buy a mobile phone in 2013.
Kim Bong-sik, a researcher at South Korea’s Korea Information Society Development Institute, said estimating revenues was difficult, but it was likely to be one of the state’s biggest earners given the scale of the business.) and run a version of Google’s Android operating system, along with the North Korean security software. Ads for an Arirang-branded handset also claimed to use MediaTek chips.
Mediatek said in a statement to Reuters it had not shipped any products to North Korea, and was in full compliance with sanctions. Toshiba also said the company had no business with North Korea.“North Korea cannot make phones without using foreign components and technology,” said Kim, the researcher. “That means it is violating sanctions to keep running the business.”
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Satellite images suggest North Korea working to hide launch of missile submarineNorth Korea may be close to launching a submarine capable of firing missiles and is making efforts to conceal its preparations, new commercial satellite images obtained by CNN appear to show.
Read more »
Fears grow in South Korea as tests confirm more swine feverLab tests confirm fifth case of swine fever in South Korea since last week, raising fears that the country is losing a battle to halt the spread of the illness that wiped out pig populations across Asia
Read more »
Deflation pressure is biggest domestic risk to South Korea: S&PDeflation pressure is the biggest domestic risk facing South Korea's econom...
Read more »
North Carolina lawmakers tell supporters of marriage equality: 'Tell it to Satan'A bill introduced in the state assembly would render Obergefell v. Hodges null and void. 'God is perfect,' said Rep. Larry Pittman, 'and therefore has no need to 'change with the times.''
Read more »
North Carolina sheriff suspended after indictment on criminal chargesA North Carolina sheriff recently indicted on allegations he ignored and encouraged a plot to kill one of his deputies has been suspended during the investigation of the criminal charges, the county attorney said.
Read more »