North Korean Soldiers in Russia Reportedly Consuming Online Pornography After Gaining Unrestricted Internet Access

The Pentagon has responded to claims that North Korean troops deployed to Russia to support Vladimir Putin’s forces are consuming online pornography due to their newfound access to the internet. According to a report by Financial Times foreign affairs commentator Gideon Rachman, North Korean soldiers, who have never had unfettered access to the internet before, are now “gorging on pornography” in Russia.

US Department of Defense spokesperson Major Charlie Dietz stated that he could not verify “any North Korean internet habits or virtual ‘extracurriculars’” taking place in Russia. Dietz emphasized that questions about internet access should be directed to Moscow and reiterated that the U.S. focus remains on supporting Ukraine and addressing broader regional security concerns.

The deployment of North Korean troops to Russia marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Both the U.S. and NATO have confirmed the presence of these troops, who are reportedly embedded with Russian forces and wear altered uniforms to avoid identification. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov mentioned that around five North Korean units, each with approximately 3,000 soldiers, are expected to be stationed in the Kursk region near Russia’s border with Ukraine.

The contrast between North Korea’s highly restricted internet environment and Russia’s relatively more open internet access has highlighted the potential psychological and cultural impacts on the North Korean soldiers. In North Korea, citizens are limited to using a heavily censored intranet called “Kwangmyong,” and accessing foreign media can result in severe penalties, including death.

The involvement of North Korean troops in the Ukraine conflict has raised international concerns about the deepening alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concerns about the global implications of this new development, stating that it opens a new chapter of instability in the world.