The information age ushered in by modern technology is proving more than capable of eroding the media blockade of regimes such as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Over 250 defectors have studied at a journalism academy founded by one of their own in 2011, and they have gone on to further undermine North Korean efforts to keep its population isolated from outside information.
These efforts include working for radio stations broadcasting into North Korea, writing about their homeland for media organizations in South Korea and neighboring nations, and, more recently, a defector by the name of Daniel Jeong beginning a project to smuggle 6,000 USB flash drives loaded with news and media into the isolated state.
As North Korea faces new international sanctions in response to its nuclear tests and long-range rocket launch earlier this year, its leadership is also attempting to suppress destabilizing information about life beyond its borders. Highlighting these concerns, the regime announced in April that it was blocking social media and news websites including Facebook and CNN.
While only a very small number of privileged North Koreans have access to the web, the ban represents another attempt to seal off one of the many entry points for outside information.
The North Korean Strategy Center, which operates the journalism academy in Seoul, says it has sent 4,000 USB drives into North Korea filled with news, literature, and even episodes of popular South Korean television dramas depicting a far wealthier society than many North Korean citizens could imagine.
Students who create content for the distributed media begin with basic journalism skills such as writing objectively, which can be difficult for those accustomed to the propaganda style of the North Korean state. Every year, however, students and instructors see evidence of their efforts as new defectors emerge with stories shaped by exposure to outside information. Their long-term goal is to one day return and help establish freedom of the press within North Korea.
