North Korea has long been renowned for its high degree of societal control, and recent reports indicate that this control is deepening as a result of the utilization of Chinese surveillance technology. Martyn Williams, a senior fellow at the Stimson Centre, has noted that North Korea is increasingly relying on imported Chinese technology to bolster its tight hold over the populace. The nation is enhancing its surveillance capabilities in an effort to oversee and regulate various facets of both public and private life.
The close relationship between China and North Korea has facilitated the exchange of technology, with China serving as a pivotal trading partner. In 2022, China-North Korea trade exceeded $1 billion. The utilization of Chinese surveillance technology has been evidenced through the installation of closed-circuit television cameras on North Korean guard posts along the Chinese border. These cameras were installed during the Covid-19 pandemic to prevent unauthorized border crossings and to monitor the activities of security guards.
The surveillance measures encompass more than just physical observation. North Korea is also developing digital facial recognition systems and internet protocol television to monitor the movements and activities of its citizens. For instance, the government could potentially discern who watched or disregarded a speech by leader Kim Jong-un. The advancements in surveillance technology have raised concerns about the erosion of privacy and freedom for the citizens of North Korea.
Notwithstanding its emphasis on digital surveillance, North Korea still encounters challenges, particularly in terms of its unreliable electricity supply. Nevertheless, the country has countered this by maintaining a highly effective human intelligence network, including the Inminban neighbourhood surveillance system, which has been in operation since the 1960s.
The report from the Stimson Centre underscores the escalating influence of digital surveillance in North Korea and the potential threat it poses to the freedom of its citizens. The country has already been ranked among the most tightly controlled and monitored in the world, and the adoption of digital technology could further diminish the few remaining freedoms. These revelations shed light on the intricate web of control and monitoring in North Korea, largely facilitated by Chinese surveillance technology.
The utilization of Chinese surveillance technology in North Korea provides a stark illustration of the modern tools of control and oppression. It serves as a reminder of the constantly evolving landscape of surveillance and its potential impact on the lives of individuals. As the technology continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly crucial to consider the implications for privacy, freedom, and human rights.