Foldable cell phone used by Kim Jong-un’s sister raises suspicion of access to foreign technology

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The image showing Kim Yo-jong alongside her brother visiting the health facility was published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Sunday. According to information from international vehicles, the model she uses does not match any known North Korean-made smartphone, which reinforces the hypothesis that it is a device produced in China.

North Korea claims to be developing its own devices, but experts point out that these models tend to be adapted versions of foreign technology, with software controlled by the regime. News sites have pointed out that, although it is not possible to confirm it from the photo, the device held by Kim Yo-jong looks like a foldable model from the Magic line, from the Chinese manufacturer Honor.

The foldable cell phone, a category considered avant-garde in the global market, is considered an item not very accessible even in countries with open economies, which increases doubts about how the device would have reached the hands of one of the most influential figures of the regime. Analysts point out that public use of the device may indicate informal import channels, tolerated by members of the political elite.

The presence of the smartphone also highlights the difference between the North Korean population’s access to technological resources, marked by restrictions on the use of the Internet and modern devices, and the access of members of the country’s leadership. For international observers, the episode reignites debates on internal disparities and the scope of sanctions to limit the circulation of technology in North Korea.

So far, no North Korean official has officially commented on the origin of the device.