A Form Similar to Commercial Smartphones
The latest smartphone produced in North Korea has been spotted, drawing attention. The brand name is 'Samtaeseong'. Until now, North Korea has attempted to develop its own smartphones such as 'Arirang', 'Jindallae', and 'Pyongyang Touch', but this is the first time a product called Samtaeseong has been revealed.
On the 12th, a program on Korean Central TV featured a smartphone named 'Samtaeseong 8'. This smartphone model was captured during a broadcast warning about the harmful effects of electromagnetic waves. Korean Central TV advised, "Since electromagnetic waves harmful to health are generated the moment a call connects, it is better not to hold the phone to your ear, and place it to your ear 1-2 seconds after the call connects," while showing the smartphone.
North Korea's Korean Central TV revealed key recommendations for the safe use of smartphones, a mobile communication device, on the 12th and introduced the latest smartphone model, "Samtaeseong 8." The product name "Samtaeseong 8" is written on the back of the smartphone. The unveiled smartphone, "Samtaeseong 8," is equipped with two cameras on the rear and one camera on the front. Photo by Yonhap News
Samtaeseong refers to the three pairs of stars found in the shape of a ladle in the Big Dipper constellation. However, in North Korea, this word has a different meaning. According to the 'Chosunmal Dictionary' published in North Korea, it means 'three bright stars' during the anti-Japanese armed struggle period, referring to Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Kim Il-sung's wife Kim Jong-suk.
The model name 'Samtaeseong 8' is written on the back of the product, and the rear camera appears to have two lenses, with one front camera. Its form is similar to commonly seen mid-range smartphones on the market.
However, it is not known whether this product was manufactured in a factory within North Korea or if it is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) product imported from China or elsewhere with only the brand label attached.
Meanwhile, according to the CIA World Factbook, the estimated number of mobile device users in North Korea is about 4.9 million, which is only 19% of the total population. Also, in North Korea, smartphones cannot access the internet; the only function is to access the internal intranet with a SIM card inserted.
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