Privacy Law at North Korea

04 Apr 2025 --
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North Korea operates under a highly centralized and authoritarian regime where personal data protection and privacy are subordinated to state control and surveillance. There is no formal data protection law akin to those in democratic nations.

🛂 Surveillance and State Control

The North Korean government maintains strict control over its citizens' personal information and activities The Ministry of State Security (MSS) oversees surveillance operations, monitoring phone conversations, internet usage, and even private communications, This surveillance extends to monitoring residents' movements and activities, with reports indicating that police boxes track household movements and employ informants to document daily activities in minute detail, The regime has also implemented the Anti-Reactionary Thought Law, which criminalizes the possession or distribution of foreign media, including films and music from South Korea Violations of this law can result in severe punishments, including imprisonment and even execution

📡 Internet and Communication Restrictions

Internet access in North Korea is heavily restricted. Most citizens are limited to a domestic intranet known as "Kwangmyong," which offers access only to state-approved website. International communication is tightly controlled; unauthorized international calls are prohibited, and citizens found making such calls can face severe penalties. The regime has also cracked down on the use of smuggled Chinese-made smartwatches that can connect to Chinese mobile networks, targeting users of these devices with re-education camp sentences for any overseas phone calls

⚖️ Legal Framework and Enforcement

While there is no comprehensive data protection law, North Korea has enacted laws to protect state secrets and regulate information flow. The Law on Protection of State Secrets, adopted in 2023, aims to prevent the leakage of classified information, further restricting citizens' access to and dissemination of information. Enforcement of these laws is carried out by the MSS, which operates without independent oversight. Penalties for violations are severe and can include imprisonment, forced labour, or execution, reflecting the state's stringent approach to information control

🔒 Privacy Rights and Citizen Protection

In North Korea, individual privacy rights are virtually non-existent, The state's interest in personal data is solely for purposes of control and surveillance. There are no independent bodies to protect citizens' personal information or to challenge state action. The lack of transparency and the absence of legal recourse mechanisms mean that citizens have no means to contest violations of their privacy

✅ Summary

North Korea's approach to privacy is characterized by:

*Extensive State Surveillance: Continuous monitoring of citizens' communications and activities.

*Strict Information Control: Criminalization of access to foreign media and international communications.

*Absence of Privacy Protections: No legal framework to safeguard personal data or individual privacy rights.