You Won't Believe What He Discovered Inside Two Illegal North Korean Smartphones!

In an intriguing experiment, YouTuber Mrwhosetheboss got his hands on two illegal North Korean smartphones—the Haeyang 701 and the Samtaesong 8—that had been smuggled out of the notoriously secretive nation. His exploration into these rarely seen devices sheds light on not just the technology but also the deeply controlled nature of life in North Korea.

North Korea has long been a subject of fascination, with its isolated society and enigmatic leadership creating a veil of mystery for outsiders. The lack of access to authentic information about daily life has only fueled curiosity, especially when glimpses like the fake Mercedes known as the Pyongyang 4.10 come to light. However, it’s not just cars that reveal the unique circumstances within the country; smartphones tell a story of their own.

At first glance, Haeyang 701 and Samtaesong 8 might seem like standard smartphones one would expect to see worldwide. However, Mrwhosetheboss quickly discovered that these devices are designed exclusively for internal use within North Korea, stripped of any mainstream functionalities. The experience of using both phones felt, as he put it, “so dated,” showcasing a technology landscape that seems far behind the global standard.

The Samtaesong 8, in particular, bears a resemblance to mid-range Huawei models, but it suffers from weak cameras and outdated software. With the lack of competition in North Korea, it’s unsurprising that the quality doesn't measure up to international standards. While most smartphones allow users to access the internet freely, these devices come with severe limitations: they can only connect to a controlled network known as 'Mirae.' To access this network, users must possess a government ID, which indicates the level of oversight the North Korean regime exercises over its citizens.

Once connected, users are subjected to a tightly curated selection of content, which is essentially state-run TV, news, and propaganda, devoid of any external influences. The speed of this controlled service is also significantly slower than what many users in South Korea experience; North Korean speeds range from 2Mbps to 33Mbps, less than a fourteenth of what South Koreans enjoy on public Wi-Fi. This restricted access reflects a broader narrative that permeates the phones: North Korea is superior, South Korea is inferior, and foreign influence is to be feared.

Perhaps the most alarming aspect of these phones is the embedded surveillance features. They frequently take screenshots that users cannot delete or even see, likely for monitoring purposes. Sharing foreign films or media is heavily sanctioned, so the regime has implemented these features to deter any form of illicit activity. Such measures highlight the extreme lengths to which the North Korean government goes to control its populace, where even the smallest acts of rebellion can lead to severe consequences.

Language is another area where these phones reveal the heavy influence of government ideology. When Mrwhosetheboss attempted to type “South Korea,” the phone autocorrected it to “Puppet State.” Similarly, terms like “Joseon”—which refers to Korea—are politicized to designate North Korea as "Joseon" while South Korea is labeled "South Joseon." Even casual slang, such as “Oppa,” commonly used to mean “boyfriend,” was transformed into “Comrade.” This illustrates how deeply ingrained propaganda permeates every facet of life, including communication.

Ultimately, the experiment conducted by Mrwhosetheboss offers a rare glimpse into the peculiar world of North Korean technology. The Haeyang 701 and Samtaesong 8 serve not only as tools for communication but also as instruments of state control, reflecting a society where every action is monitored and manipulated to uphold the regime’s narrative. As curiosity about North Korea continues to persist, these smartphones stand as a stark reminder of the complexities and restrictions of life within its borders.