Super Mario in Pyongyang: North Korea's burgeoning video game culture



Analysis Super Mario in Pyongyang: North Korea’s burgeoning video game culture Smartphone use drives gaming's increasing popularity, but regime may see it as a new tool to promote Kim family ideology Oliver Jia October 28, 2021 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON NK News (file) \| North Korean children playing video games at the Songdowon international children's camp in Wonsan on April 17, 2008 In recent years, smartphones have become as ubiquitous in Pyongyang as they are in most cities around the world. Locals take calls, send texts and swipe through home screens populated with regime-approved apps, all on imported devices running outdated Android software. They also do something that few associate with one of the poorest and most repressive countries in the world — play video games. In recent years, smartphones have become as ubiquitous in Pyongyang as they are in most cities around the world. Locals take calls, send texts and swipe through home screens populated with regime-approved apps, all on imported devices running outdated Android software. They also do something that few associate with one of the poorest and most repressive countries in the world — play video games. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

Super Mario in Pyongyang: North Korea’s burgeoning video game culture

Smartphone use drives gaming's increasing popularity, but regime may see it as a new tool to promote Kim family ideology

Oliver Jia October 28, 2021

Super Mario in Pyongyang: North Korea’s burgeoning video game culture

NK News (file) | North Korean children playing video games at the Songdowon international children's camp in Wonsan on April 17, 2008

In recent years, smartphones have become as ubiquitous in Pyongyang as they are in most cities around the world. Locals take calls, send texts and swipe through home screens populated with regime-approved apps, all on imported devices running outdated Android software.

They also do something that few associate with one of the poorest and most repressive countries in the world — play video games.

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Oliver Jia

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