In a note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, foreigners living in Pyongyang, North Korea have been warned not to share outside media on memory sticks with its citizens after a crack down on, what the isolated country terms, “undesirable content” was conducted.
The majority of North Koreans have no access to foreign media or outside Internet, but literature, music and films are regularly shared on USB sticks that can be concealed and are passed among people.
A copy of the note is with Reuters and it forbids foreigners in Pyongyang from importing “all kinds of data media, including printed matter, mobile phones, and memory sticks” that may contain “false propaganda” and “photos, movies, and literature regarding sexual relations”.
Printed materials and memory sticks containing “undesirable content” had been left at tourist sites or passed on to North Koreans by some foreigners entering the country, the note added.
We regard these practices as a serious problem directly related to the security of the State. Accordingly concerned authorities of the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) are taking such measures as strict censorship over printed matters and memory media at every port of entry to the DPRK, including the airport.
– Note addressed to diplomatic and international missions in Pyongyang
Those holding diplomatic passports were exempt from direct censorship, but the note warned that anyone found with offending material “must bear all the blame to themselves, entailing appropriate measures here.”
Scrutiny of Pyongyang’s foreign residents has been stepped up by North Korean security services in recent months. Several foreigners were apprehended by security services for taking photos during a fire at the popular Koryo Hotel, a source told Reuters.
In another incident, the country’s 3G mobile internet network was briefly rendered inaccessible.
German NGO Welthungerhilfe’s country director was expelled by North Korean authorities without warning or reason.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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