The Silent Struggle of North Korea: A Closed Digital State

In the modern age, where globalization and digital connectivity are the norms, North Korea stands as an anomaly. The nation, under the leadership of the Kim dynasty, has always been a subject of intrigue and speculation. But in recent years, under Kim Jong-un’s rule, North Korea has taken unprecedented steps to isolate itself, both physically and digitally, from the rest of the world.

The Geographical Fortress

North Korea’s geographical position has always been a natural barrier. Bordered by the Sea of Japan to the east and the Yellow Sea to the west, the nation is naturally insulated. The seas, patrolled by the North Korean Navy, make escape by boat nearly impossible. The southern border, which it shares with South Korea, is marked by the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) — a misnomer, as it’s the most militarized border globally. The DMZ, with its fortifications, walls, barbed wire, and millions of landmines, makes direct escape to South Korea a perilous endeavor.

The Northern Escape Route

Historically, the northern border, shared with China and a small stretch with Russia, was the escape route for many defectors. The vast stretch, marked by the Yalu and Tumen rivers, was porous, especially during winters when the rivers froze. However, escaping to China or Russia was only the first step. Both countries, due to their extradition agreements with North Korea, would deport defectors back, where they faced imprisonment or worse. The ultimate goal for most defectors was to reach South Korea, where they were automatically granted citizenship. This often meant a perilous journey through China, aiming to reach countries like Mongolia, Thailand, or Vietnam, which would then deport them to South Korea.

The Turning Point

The 1990s marked a significant shift. The collapse of the Soviet Union, North Korea’s primary financial supporter, coupled with sanctions from the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, led to an economic downturn. The country, already with limited arable land, faced severe famines. Estimates suggest that the famine of the 1990s might have claimed anywhere between 300,000 to 3.5 million lives. This dire situation led to a spike in defections.

However, the landscape began changing in the 2010s. Kim Jong-un, who took power in 2011, initiated a crackdown on defections. The northern border, once porous, began seeing increased patrols and fortifications. Simultaneously, China, with its growing surveillance capabilities, made it even harder for defectors to pass through undetected.

The Pandemic and the Digital Lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic provided North Korea with an opportunity to further tighten its grip. Citing the pandemic, the country was one of the first to shut its borders in early 2020. While the official narrative suggests minimal impact of the virus within the country, external sources indicate a much graver situation.

But the physical lockdown was just one aspect. Kim Jong-un’s vision of a “closed digital state” began taking shape. The country’s approach to technology, especially communication devices, is restrictive. State-sanctioned phones, devoid of internet capabilities and equipped with surveillance tools, are the norm. Foreign-made phones, which could connect to the outside world, became targets of crackdowns.

In 2020, North Korea introduced the “Reactionary Ideology and Culture Rejection Act,” which criminalized the consumption of foreign media. The act, with its severe penalties, further isolated the North Korean populace from the global community.

Conclusion

North Korea, in its quest for self-preservation, has effectively turned itself into a fortress, both physically and digitally. The once porous borders are now impenetrable walls, and the digital realm, once a window to the outside world, is now a walled garden. The country’s 25 million inhabitants, in many ways, are trapped in a time capsule, isolated from the global narrative.

While the world moves forward, embracing globalization and digital connectivity, North Korea remains a silent enigma, a black hole on the world map. The struggles of its people, their aspirations, and their dreams remain hidden behind the fortified walls and digital barriers erected by the regime. The question remains: for how long can this isolation last in an increasingly connected world?