The report, drawing on domestic and international media coverage as well as research from North Korean universities and state organizations, sheds light on the extent of surveillance in the country
North Korea is significantly ramping up its surveillance efforts, employing advanced technology to closely monitor its citizens’ activities. This move, spearheaded by leader Kim Jong-un, aims to tighten state control and foster loyalty to the regime.
The country’s adoption of digital surveillance tools, a blend of imported equipment from China and domestically developed software, poses a grave threat to the limited spaces where North Koreans can engage in private activities. Schools and workplaces are now equipped with surveillance cameras, and biometric data such as fingerprints and photographs are being collected from the population.
The Covid-19 pandemic provided further impetus for these surveillance measures. Strict border controls were enforced for three years before a cautious reopening in 2023. Recent legislation and reports of harsher punishments suggest a crackdown on foreign influence and imported media, aided by the installation of fences and electronic monitoring systems along the border with China.
Martyn Williams, an analyst involved in the study, noted, “Having seen that it’s possible to close the border this tightly, I think they are now keen to keep it that way.” While the pandemic may have played a role, the decreasing cost of surveillance equipment has been a major driving force.
The report, drawing on domestic and international media coverage as well as research from North Korean universities and state organisations, sheds light on the extent of surveillance in the country. Interviews with North Korean escapees and residents, conducted through encrypted communication channels, provide valuable insights into the surveillance experiences of the populace.
Surveillance cameras are now ubiquitous in schools, workplaces, and even airports, with some equipped with advanced features like facial recognition. The government is also expanding its network of traffic cameras, likely for automated recording of number plates.
While North Korea may not yet possess the infrastructure to fully utilize the collected data, there are indications of a future with even more pervasive surveillance. The development of technologies related to movement detection and facial recognition, alongside the implementation of smart national identification cards requiring biometric data, underscores the government’s ambitions in this regard.
“For North Koreans, the spread of CCTV means even greater surveillance of their lives,” note Williams and his co-author. The use of automatic detection systems raises concerns about privacy and the risk posed to individuals engaged in illicit activities.
Despite the challenges posed by infrastructure limitations, North Korea appears determined to expand its surveillance network beyond major cities. Drawing inspiration from China’s extensive surveillance apparatus, the country aims to bolster its control over its populace through digital means.
North Korea’s intensification of surveillance measures underscores its commitment to maintaining strict social and political control. As technology continues to advance, the implications for privacy and individual freedoms remain a growing concern.
