This photo, captured from North Korea’s Korean Central TV on July 12, 2023, shows the North’s latest smartphone featuring two rear-facing cameras and a front-facing one. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 14 (Korea Bizwire) — North Korea’s latest smartphone appeared in the background of the state-run Korean Central TV program aired on Thursday, providing tips on safe mobile phone usage.
The smartphone, featuring two rear-facing cameras and one front-facing camera, had the product name “Samtaesong 8″ printed on its rear side.
Its modern design closely resembled that of South Korean smartphones.
While various types of smartphones, such as the Pyongyang Touch and Arirang, have been released in the country, this was the first time the product named Samtaesong had appeared in local media.
It is not confirmed whether the product was directly made in North Korea or if the trademark was simply attached after importation from China.
In North Korea, smartphones do not offer Internet access, and once SIM cards are inserted, they can only access the nation’s intranet.
According to the World Factbook of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the number of mobile communication users in North Korea is estimated to be around 19 percent (approximately 4.9 million) of the total population.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
