Why North Korean media blurred the faces of staff at a weapons factory



Analysis Why North Korean media blurred the faces of staff at a weapons factory Obscuring faces appears to be a first in state media, following uptick in pixelation in recent years Chad O'Carroll January 28, 2022 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Rodong Sinmun, Jan. 28, 2022 \| Kim Jong Un pictured with staff whose faces have been blurred at a munitions factory North Korea’s propaganda apparatus took its obfuscation efforts to new levels in photos published by the Rodong Sinmun on Friday, blurring the faces of military officers who met with Kim Jong Un at a munitions factory. Multiple analysts who spoke to NK Pro said it is likely the first time that DPRK state media has deliberately obscured the identities of multiple Korean People’s Army officers in this way, the latest in Pyongyang’s increasing efforts to conceal potentially sensitive military information. “Obscuring their faces makes the job of foreign intelligence agencies generally more Read More © 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. LATEST ANALYSIS 01Suspected North Korean drone base and factory face construction slowdown 02Lessons from chaos: What Kim Jong Un sees in an era of global turmoil 03In 2024, Kim Jong Un swaggered on the global stage like never before 04Military dominates Kim Jong Un’s attention in his busiest year in nearly decade 05How Trump’s return could transform North Korea’s quiet ties with Thailand 06How Assad’s downfall could expose secrets of North Korea-Syria military ties 07All the companies that participated in the Pyongyang Autumn Trade Fair 2024 08No Chinese firms joined North Korea’s latest trade fair dominated by Russia

Analysis

Why North Korean media blurred the faces of staff at a weapons factory

Obscuring faces appears to be a first in state media, following uptick in pixelation in recent years

Chad O'Carroll January 28, 2022

Why North Korean media blurred the faces of staff at a weapons factory

Rodong Sinmun, Jan. 28, 2022 | Kim Jong Un pictured with staff whose faces have been blurred at a munitions factory

North Korea’s propaganda apparatus took its obfuscation efforts to new levels in photos published by the Rodong Sinmun on Friday, blurring the faces of military officers who met with Kim Jong Un at a munitions factory.

Multiple analysts who spoke to NK Pro said it is likely the first time that DPRK state media has deliberately obscured the identities of multiple Korean People’s Army officers in this way, the latest in Pyongyang’s increasing efforts to conceal potentially sensitive military information.

“Obscuring their faces makes the job of foreign intelligence agencies generally more

01Suspected North Korean drone base and factory face construction slowdown
02Lessons from chaos: What Kim Jong Un sees in an era of global turmoil
03In 2024, Kim Jong Un swaggered on the global stage like never before
04Military dominates Kim Jong Un’s attention in his busiest year in nearly decade
05How Trump’s return could transform North Korea’s quiet ties with Thailand
06How Assad’s downfall could expose secrets of North Korea-Syria military ties
07All the companies that participated in the Pyongyang Autumn Trade Fair 2024
08No Chinese firms joined North Korea’s latest trade fair dominated by Russia

Why North Korean media blurred the faces of staff at a weapons factory

LATEST ANALYSIS

About the Author

Chad O'Carroll