Smuggled Phone Exposes How North Korea Has Banned Using Popular South Korean Words
A phone smuggled out of North Korea has revealed surprising new levels of censorship being enforced by the regime, including a crackdown on everyday South Korean slang.
In a recent BBC investigation that has gone viral, reporters analyzed the confiscated phone and found it was filled with built-in restrictions designed to block outside influence. The device cannot connect to the internet, and any attempt to use South Korean cultural references or phrases is automatically flagged or corrected.
One of the most shocking examples shown was what happened when someone tried to type the word “oppa.” While this word literally means “older brother” in Korean, it’s widely used in South Korea by women to refer to their boyfriends or even their favorite male stars.
But on this phone, typing “oppa” immediately changes the word to “comrade,” along with a warning message that says: “This word can only be used to describe your siblings.”
Another example showed that when users typed the name “South Korea,” the phone would automatically replace it with “puppet state,” reflecting the North Korean government’s official stance toward its southern neighbor.
Beyond language censorship, the phone also appears to secretly monitor the user’s activity. It takes screenshots every few minutes, which are stored in a hidden folder that only the authorities can access. This allows the regime to track what users are viewing, sharing, or typing without the user even knowing it’s happening.
According to the BBC, this is part of a broader effort by the North Korean government to block foreign content, particularly South Korean K-Dramas and variety shows, which are often smuggled across the border on USB drives. These shows are smuggled to give North Koreans a glimpse into life in the South, something the regime views as a serious threat.
You can watch the full BBC clip below!
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