People who watched Netflix’s “Squid Game” in North Korea received harsh punishments.
The New York Post quoted RFA (Radio Free Asia)’s article on November 24th (local time) that a smuggler of Netflix’s “Squid Game” in North Korea was shot to death. A smuggler who sold a replica of Netflix’s hit drama “Squid Game” in North Korea was sentenced to the death penalty of getting shot. This smuggler secretly took a copy of Korean programs from China to North Korea. 7 middle school students in Cheongjin, North Hamgyong Province, were caught watching these videos.
The student who purchased the USB containing the drama was sentenced to life imprisonment, while the rest of the students who watched it together received a 5-year labor education sentence. According to the news sources, teachers and school administrators were also fired or forced to work in a remote mine.
Accordingly, the source provider said, “One student shared a flash drive with several others. Someone reported them, and they were caught by the 109 Commercial Combined Inspectors. After that, 7 students were arrested, which is believed to be the first case after North Korea applied a new law to cases related to minors.” RFA added, “But regardless of how strict the government’s crackdown seems to be, rumors are circulating that among the seven arrested students, one with rich parents was able to avoid punishment.” In the aftermath of the students getting caught, authorities reportedly began scouring markets for memory storage devices and video CDs containing foreign media.
Last week, RFA reported that “Squid Game” has made it to reclusive North Korea as smuggled copies of the violent drama are spreading despite the best efforts of authorities to keep out foreign media.
A North Korean resident told RFA, “‘Squid Game’ has been able to enter the country on memory storage devices such as USB flash drives and SD cards, which are smuggled in by ship, and then make their way inland. They say that the content is similar to the lives of Pyongyang officials who fight in the foreign currency market as if it is a fight for life and death. It not only resonates with the rich people, but also with Pyongyang’s youth. They secretly watch the show under their blankets at night on their portable media players.”
