North Korean smartphones have added a screenshot function, though it doesn’t work with certain content or applications related to the country’s leaders.
A Samtaesung 8 smartphone recently obtained by Daily NK features a “smart gesture” menu where users can enable screenshots by activating the “swipe downward with three fingers” option. Below this option, small text explains: “Take a screenshot by swiping downward with three fingers on the screen you want.”
When users perform this gesture on the Samtaesung 8, a capture of the current screen is saved as an image file on the SD card. Screenshots are stored as “Screenshot_(image date)_(image time).png” and can be transferred to other devices by connecting the card to a computer.
Previously, North Korean smartphones lacked screenshot capabilities. Authorities likely blocked this function to prevent information from being shared with or leaked to the outside world. However, as smartphone usage has grown in North Korea, screenshot functionality appears to have been added to improve user experience.
Yet the function doesn’t work universally. For instance, in the “Collected Works” app—which contains the works and revolutionary history of North Korea’s supreme leaders—screenshots don’t function on the starting screen or with saved documents. This appears to be intentional, as authorities may consider using a downward swipe on content related to the supreme leader disrespectful.
This restriction parallels how the mouse pointer disappears when hovering over Kim Jong Un’s face in photos on North Korean media websites like the Rodong Sinmun newspaper or KCNA. This prevents the pointer from obscuring the leader’s face—a measure tied to North Korea’s leader idolization policies.
The screenshot function also doesn’t work in the “Kongse” app, which provides access to Rodong Sinmun, North Korean magazines, and other publications. This restriction appears aimed at preventing internal information leaks.
Interestingly, apps like “Mongnan Reader” or “Chongso”—which allow users to view videos or electronic documents—do permit screenshots of materials like Kim Il Sung’s memoirs, books praising the country’s leaders, and collected works of previous leaders that users have uploaded themselves. Additionally, if someone types “Kim Jong Un” in a text message, translation, or dictionary app, they can take screenshots even if the text isn’t complimentary.
April 14, 2025 at 06:00AM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)