Kim Jongun, the North Korean leader, was pictured with a highend mobile phone on the table STR / KCNA VIA KNS / AFP 07/12/2023
North Korean leader Kim Jongun this week oversaw the launch of a powerful ballistic missile, and photos released Thursday show a modern foldable smartphone on the leader’s desk.
Photos published by the official newspaper Rodong Sinmun show a silver phone with a black leather cover, a model reminiscent of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip or Huawei’s Pocket S.
The image of the ICBM launch has sparked speculation about the origin of the phone.
Dictator Kim Jongun’s folding phone STR/KCNA VIA KNS/AFP 07/12/2023
“If the object in the photo is a foldable smartphone, it is very likely that it was secretly smuggled into North Korea from China,” South Korean newspaper Joongang Ilbo reported.
UN sanctions ban North Korea from importing or exporting tech devices, but Kim’s penchant for electronics has been the subject of speculation and the leader has been photographed wearing what appears to be Applebranded products.