AfterDawn: News

North Korea disables camera, memory card and Bluetooth functions from new phones

It appears that North Korea has disabled video camera, memory card and Bluetooth functions from new mobile phones in an effort to control the flow of information in the nation.

Additionally, the new rules will block subscribers from using their phone outside of the city where it is registered.



"Mobile phones have played a big role in spreading information," added Ishimaru Jiro, the publisher of Rimjin-gang Magazine. The magazine is written by Japanese journalists undercover inside North Korea.

New subscribers were given distinct first four digit numbers in a move that would isolate the 1 million phone subscribers with video cameras, Bluetooth and memory cards.

If you want to keep the features, and your old number, you have to pay $1000, a number well out of reach for most of the population. The average North Korean citizen makes $3 USD per month (yes $3), a heinously low figure.

The move should effectively block smartphones from the nation as well as the free flow of information.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 31 Jul 2012 21:53

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• 25 comments

• chefdamo

  looks like north korean people have no freedom of speech and the north korean goverment has a lot to hide. The people need to fight back in mass and not let the goverment stop there freedom to speak out. sounds to me like another hitler on the loose
  

  31.7.2012 22:02 #1

• joepet200

  At $3 a month, who in NK can afford a phone plan let alone a Smartphone.
  

  31.7.2012 22:24 #2

• hearme0

  Originally posted by chefdamo: looks like north korean people have no freedom of speech and the north korean goverment has a lot to hide. The people need to fight back in mass and not let the goverment stop there freedom to speak out. sounds to me like another hitler on the loose Dude! Where have you been living?..........under a rock?? "Looks like"???????? Looks like????
  
  It is indeed! They have few freedoms and when most are interviewed, they bow to that regime. They're a brainwashed people and fearful of their government so it's not about "people needing to fight back".

  1.8.2012 00:52 #3

• Dmite30

  Originally posted by hearme0: Originally posted by chefdamo: looks like north korean people have no freedom of speech and the north korean goverment has a lot to hide. The people need to fight back in mass and not let the goverment stop there freedom to speak out. sounds to me like another hitler on the loose Dude! Where have you been living?..........under a rock?? "Looks like"???????? Looks like????
  
  It is indeed! They have few freedoms and when most are interviewed, they bow to that regime. They're a brainwashed people and fearful of their government so it's not about "people needing to fight back". You dont have to look far, when talking about things like this. I mean if you live in the united states, your seeing this as well. It may not be to that extent. But its happening.
  

  Stupid questions are for google. Learn how to use it, because everyone has a stupid question every now and then.
  
  http://google.com

  1.8.2012 07:33 #4

• chefdamo

  Thety have a few freedom's lol ok tell me what they are o i know what they are they get to eat and breath . I been living in a society where you can have a voice and a opinion and my voice counts. north korean people dont have any freedom and when does stuff like there doing stop ? it stops when the people get up in the mass and say we are not standing for this. you must agree with there goverment if you think they have some freedoms. This is not a normal way to live life at all is it ? what happen to freedom of speech and equality ? I really thing the north korean people need to take a stand.
  

  1.8.2012 07:39 #5

• gldoorii

  If something like this were to happen in the US and we only got paid 3 bucks a month, then there would be mass rioting and anarchy. It amazes me how a country can just "put up" with stuff like this and literally not overthrow the government.

  1.8.2012 10:25 #6

• chefdamo

  Originally posted by gldoorii: If something like this were to happen in the US and we only got paid 3 bucks a month, then there would be mass rioting and anarchy. It amazes me how a country can just "put up" with stuff like this and literally not overthrow the government. I agree with you 100% gldoorii
  

  1.8.2012 12:50 #7

• gooodguy

  If only they had the money the USA has to suppress information.
  

  1.8.2012 13:30 #8

• LordRuss

  Originally posted by Dmite30: Originally posted by hearme0: Originally posted by chefdamo: looks like north korean people have no freedom of speech and the north korean goverment has a lot to hide. The people need to fight back in mass and not let the goverment stop there freedom to speak out. sounds to me like another hitler on the loose Dude! Where have you been living?..........under a rock?? "Looks like"???????? Looks like????
  
  It is indeed! They have few freedoms and when most are interviewed, they bow to that regime. They're a brainwashed people and fearful of their government so it's not about "people needing to fight back". You dont have to look far, when talking about things like this. I mean if you live in the united states, your seeing this as well. It may not be to that extent. But its happening. I'm not sure if that's a comment defamating the US or not, but if it is, let me just say... I spent just over a year in South Korea helping them defend the peace there. Unlike you, it's tough to watch a true nation torn over having to fight back & forth literally over a civil war over territory. Brother against brother, for almost 75 years now.
  
  Most of you guys in here don't even know that shots are STILL fired across the 38th parallel & bodies exchanged under unimaginable armed scrutiny to this day. While some in the US may be clueless - several of us - ARE NOT.
  
  On a lighter note, there is a WONDERFUL thing in Korea (as whole) called the Black Market! As an extended visitor (& under hushed breath, contributor) was allowed to partake in such endeavors.
  
  I'm sure they will find a way to get better, WORKING phones into the North where they can do some good. Price probably won't even be a factor if I know my buddies in a couple of those unmentionable organizations who delve in propaganda...
  

  http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

  1.8.2012 13:46 #9

• SuikoNiNjitZu

  Originally posted by chefdamo: looks like north korean people have no freedom of speech and the north korean goverment has a lot to hide. The people need to fight back in mass and not let the goverment stop there freedom to speak out. sounds to me like another hitler on the loose everyone in every Nation is Brain washed by something mostly it's the LAW determining and customizing the way people think 9jailbreaking, if it was Illegal to go outside of your house there would be a fat lady trying to be hero and calling the cops on you screaming damn criminal he can't just go outside when he wants to. next is religion combine the two you get republicans
  
  

  Save Freedom Dont Elect Law Making Religion Nut Republicans

  1.8.2012 17:48 #10

• Interestx

  Originally posted by chefdamo: sounds to me like another hitler on the loose Look, I'm not saying Nth Korea is a nice place in any way but to equate it all to 'Hitler' just because their Gov has stoped their mobile phones having a camera function, bluetooth or working micro SD card slots is just nuts.
  
  Hitler's gang began WW2 by invading most of western Europe & then set to work on most of the European side of Russia, they deliberately murdered people on an industrial scale & are generally reckond to have been responsible for WW2's death total of about 60 million.
  
  North Korea is a paranoid state (and anyone who reads about the history & what went on there might start to understand why......and why their military is such a big deal there) and has helped create the conditions where famine took hold which may have killed between 1 and 3 million of their own people.
  
  It's a horrific tragedy but its nothing like 'the same as Hitler'.
  
  Even the North Korean version of why the Korean war started turns out to have been true (the Sth Korean leader was also a nationalist nutter intent on a premptive strike).
  
  North Korea is an on-going tragedy but it is not Hitler's Germany nor even close to it.
  
  
  

  1.8.2012 18:03 #11

• chefdamo

  Kim Jong-un thinks he can tell women that they have no power. Its not just about the mobile phone. If he things he can do things like this where will it stop.
  
  Kim Jong-Il "coached" the 2010 Korean World Cup soccer team with an invisible phone
  
  In 1978, Kim Jong-Il kidnapped director Shin Sang-ok and forced him to make a "socialist Godzilla" film
  
  Kim Jong-Il is a heavy drinker, reportedly spending spending about up to $800,000 a year on Hennessy cognac
  
  When he was forced to give up cigarettes for health reasons, Kim Jong-Il forced the entire country to do the same - effectively banning them
  
  and thats just a few thing the guy is nuts.

  1.8.2012 19:58 #12

• JST1946

  I spent more than six years in South Korea and most of it North of the 38th Parallel.I was there in 1966 to 1968.Then again in 1972 to 1976.I was there in Jan. 1968 when they Hijacked the Pueblo and the North Korean infiltraters came across the border and caught them before they had a chance to blow up the Blue House in Seoul.Which is their version of the White House.
  

  20 Year U.S.Army Veteran.Vietnam 1969-1972 101st Abn.Div.

  1.8.2012 20:19 #13

• Hopium

  atleast they have phones

  1.8.2012 20:33 #14

• JST1946

  Yeah they can always trade them when they get hungary for a handful of rice.How do they plan on charging them without any electricity.What good does it do them to have one if it doesn't work.
  

  20 Year U.S.Army Veteran.Vietnam 1969-1972 101st Abn.Div.

  1.8.2012 20:44 #15

• Interestx

  chefdamo
  
  Like any of us really know the absolute truth about what happens in North Korea, huh?
  
  JST1946
  
  Maybe tales that electricity isn't generally available isn't the whole picture?
  Otherwise & no matter what anyone claims the people there aren't going to buy phones they can't use.
  
  Like I said, I'm not saying it's a nice place (or that its Gov is nice either) but we get told a very one sided story about the place.
  

  2.8.2012 05:08 #16

• xboxdvl2

  Originally posted by gldoorii: If something like this were to happen in the US and we only got paid 3 bucks a month, then there would be mass rioting and anarchy. It amazes me how a country can just "put up" with stuff like this and literally not overthrow the government. the americans have guns and weapons.if the people of north korea tryed to overthrow the government chances are they would be killed and more would be killed until they caved and gave in.
  
  the only way citizens will get freedom is by leaving the country.
  

  R.I.P. mr 1990 ford falcon.got myself a 1993 toyota corolla seems to run good.computers still going good.

  2.8.2012 06:26 #17

• laserbiz

  Originally posted by xboxdvl2: Originally posted by gldoorii: If something like this were to happen in the US and we only got paid 3 bucks a month, then there would be mass rioting and anarchy. It amazes me how a country can just "put up" with stuff like this and literally not overthrow the government. the americans have guns and weapons.if the people of north korea tryed to overthrow the government chances are they would be killed and more would be killed until they caved and gave in.
  
  the only way citizens will get freedom is by leaving the country. That is why the first thing a repressive government does is ban all weapons lest they be trained on the repressive government itsself. That is why the NRA is so pro 2nd amendment, they and all their followers know if necessary they can fight back.

  3.8.2012 10:23 #18

• DADEO1

  "You dont have to look far, when talking about things like this. I mean if you live in the united states, your seeing this as well. It may not be to that extent. But its happening."
  
  Nonsense.

  3.8.2012 10:49 #19

• LordRuss

  Originally posted by JST1946: I spent more than six years in South Korea and most of it North of the 38th Parallel.I was there in 1966 to 1968.Then again in 1972 to 1976.I was there in Jan. 1968 when they Hijacked the Pueblo and the North Korean infiltraters came across the border and caught them before they had a chance to blow up the Blue House in Seoul.Which is their version of the White House. I feel for you... I was there when the two missiles got shot into the ocean either side of the south & when the band of northern brothers came up in the sub deep south of the border & ended up getting shot up pretty bad.
  
  I don't even know how much of that news even made it over here.
  
  
  
  Originally posted by DADEO1: "You dont have to look far, when talking about things like this. I mean if you live in the united states, your seeing this as well. It may not be to that extent. But its happening."
  
  Nonsense. You just about lost me here... for those who know me in here, (yeah I know, real complicated... funny) but generality & vague replaced with an example & context would be better than this old man cacking on his coffee & then rattling off like the Crypt Keeper from those old Tales of the Crypt TV shows...
  
  I.e., I had to read your comment 4 times to get some semblance of meaning. Not that I'm some kind of Earnest Hemingway or something.
  

  http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

  3.8.2012 11:09 #20

• ibmeubu

  Hmmmmmmm. Does that make you think that they are hiding something? :)
  

  rap

  3.8.2012 22:59 #21

• SoulGLOW

  Originally posted by LordRuss: Originally posted by JST1946: I spent more than six years in South Korea and most of it North of the 38th Parallel.I was there in 1966 to 1968.Then again in 1972 to 1976.I was there in Jan. 1968 when they Hijacked the Pueblo and the North Korean infiltraters came across the border and caught them before they had a chance to blow up the Blue House in Seoul.Which is their version of the White House. I feel for you... I was there when the two missiles got shot into the ocean either side of the south & when the band of northern brothers came up in the sub deep south of the border & ended up getting shot up pretty bad.
  
  I don't even know how much of that news even made it over here.
  
  
  
  Originally posted by DADEO1: "You dont have to look far, when talking about things like this. I mean if you live in the united states, your seeing this as well. It may not be to that extent. But its happening."
  
  Nonsense. You just about lost me here... for those who know me in here, (yeah I know, real complicated... funny) but generality & vague replaced with an example & context would be better than this old man cacking on his coffee & then rattling off like the Crypt Keeper from those old Tales of the Crypt TV shows...
  
  I.e., I had to read your comment 4 times to get some semblance of meaning. Not that I'm some kind of Earnest Hemingway or something. I love You Man! LMMFAO...as usual.

  10.8.2012 08:32 #22

• DOKDOMAN (unverified)

  Originally posted by joepet200: At $3 a month, who in NK can afford a phone plan let alone a Smartphone. Its $30 a month damn it!
  
  The poorest people in North Korea earn $15 / month
  
  The rich in Pyongyang earn more than $90 / month
  
  a Cellphone in North Korea costs between $20 - $100

  28.9.2012 14:05 #23

• Dmite30

  Originally posted by LordRuss: Originally posted by JST1946: I spent more than six years in South Korea and most of it North of the 38th Parallel.I was there in 1966 to 1968.Then again in 1972 to 1976.I was there in Jan. 1968 when they Hijacked the Pueblo and the North Korean infiltraters came across the border and caught them before they had a chance to blow up the Blue House in Seoul.Which is their version of the White House. I feel for you... I was there when the two missiles got shot into the ocean either side of the south & when the band of northern brothers came up in the sub deep south of the border & ended up getting shot up pretty bad.
  
  I don't even know how much of that news even made it over here.
  
  
  
  Originally posted by DADEO1: "You dont have to look far, when talking about things like this. I mean if you live in the united states, your seeing this as well. It may not be to that extent. But its happening."
  
  Nonsense. You just about lost me here... for those who know me in here, (yeah I know, real complicated... funny) but generality & vague replaced with an example & context would be better than this old man cacking on his coffee & then rattling off like the Crypt Keeper from those old Tales of the Crypt TV shows...
  
  I.e., I had to read your comment 4 times to get some semblance of meaning. Not that I'm some kind of Earnest Hemingway or something. I love You Man! LMMFAO...as usual. I was the one who posted that.
  To tell you the truth I don't know what i was saying. (I was in heavy drug use.) I don't even remember this article. Sorry for all the confusion. I withdraw that comment. lol :) Y'all have a good one, and just ignore my dumdass.
  

  Stupid questions are for google. Learn how to use it, because everyone has a stupid question every now and then.
  
  http://google.com

  28.9.2012 15:07 #24

• LordRuss

  Originally posted by Dmite30:
  I love You Man! LMMFAO...as usual. I was the one who posted that.
  To tell you the truth I don't know what i was saying. (I was in heavy drug use.) I don't even remember this article. Sorry for all the confusion. I withdraw that comment. lol :) Y'all have a good one, and just ignore my dumdass.
  Ain't no thang... Somebody once told me I worked a couple of weeks on one of the Pink Floyd tours too... Be damned if I'll ever remember it...?
  

  http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

  2.10.2012 10:25 #25