Smart TVs in North Korea: Unfathomable Luxury or Essential Entertainment?

Given the strict controls over information and technology in North Korea, the concept of a Smart TV remains an elusive dream for most citizens. The prohibitive factors include the lack of Internet access, erratic power supply, and limited economic resources.

Why Smart TVs Are Unfeasible in North Korea

The initial question posed often revolves around the availability of Smart TVs in North Korea, but the reality is that the majority of North Koreans do not even have access to basic electricity. The country's struggling power grid often results in sporadic and unreliable power supply. Even in Pyongyang, where the capital city is considered more developed, residents are more likely to use their refrigerators merely as storage units, as the lack of consistent power results in detrimental spells without cold storage for food.

The Context of North Korean Living Conditions

Under such circumstances, the idea of a Smart TV is non-existent for the majority of North Koreans. With a primary diet consisting largely of corn and the persistent struggle to secure food, a luxury item like a Smart TV is simply not a consideration. In response to the question 'Are North Koreans allowed to have a smart TV?', the answer is unequivocally no for the majority of the population.

Electricity and Power Supply

Even those who might possess a mobile phone, a more viable choice than a Smart TV due to the lack of internet and threats associated with advanced electronic devices, are constrained by the availability of electricity. In many regions, power is supplied intermittently or not at all, rendering any attempt to use a Smart TV futile. The power grid's unreliability has a direct impact on daily life, with many families only being able to access electricity a few times a week, if at all.

Government Control and Surveillance

In North Korea, all forms of technology, including Smart TVs and smartphones, are strictly controlled by the government. Any device that could potentially offer a wider range of information beyond government-approved content is deemed a threat. The lack of a freely accessible internet means that even if a Smart TV were to be present, the content would be heavily censored, limiting its entertainment value.

Conclusion

The reality is that in North Korea, the concept of a Smart TV is secondary to the struggle for basic necessities. Electricity is so scarce that even those essential household items require careful management. Therefore, the question of whether North Koreans are allowed to have a Smart TV is often replaced with a broader inquiry into why so many North Koreans do not even have access to electricity. As long as the power supply remains unreliable and government restrictions on technology continue, the idea of a Smart TV remains as distant as the absence of reliable electrical power in most parts of the country.

Keywords: Smart TVs, Internet Access, North Korea