North Korea Showcases ‘Jindallae’ Smartphones at Pyongyang Trade Fair
Seoul— North Korea has unveiled the latest version of its domestically branded Jindallae smartphone at a trade fair in Pyongyang, as the isolated state seeks to highlight homegrown consumer technology despite ongoing international sanctions.
The devices were displayed at the Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair, where officials said more than 290 companies from countries including Russia, China and Switzerland were represented. The fair is the country’s largest commercial exhibition and has drawn foreign visitors and firms this week.
The Jindallae smartphone, first introduced in 2017, appears largely similar to last year’s model, according to South Korean media reports. The handset features multiple camera lenses and is marketed domestically as a tool for communication, though it operates only on a tightly controlled national intranet rather than the global Internet.
North Korea’s technology sector remains constrained by sanctions and an aging industrial base, with analysts questioning its capacity to independently manufacture advanced consumer electronics. Reports have suggested that many such devices are produced abroad and rebranded for the local market, though authorities have not disclosed production details.
Mobile phones in North Korea are also subject to extensive state monitoring.
External reporting indicates that devices may capture and store screenshots accessible to authorities, reflecting the country’s highly controlled information environment.
According to the International Telecommunication Union, North Korea had about 6.35 million mobile subscriptions as of 2022, though most users are restricted to domestic networks.
Alongside Jindallae, other locally branded phones such as Arirang and Phurunhanal were also showcased, underscoring Pyongyang’s efforts to project technological development even as it remains diplomatically isolated.
South Korean officials have said North Korea’s economy may be showing signs of recovery, partly due to closer ties with Russia, including reported military cooperation linked to the war in Ukraine.
