North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s influential sister, Kim Yo Jong, was recently seen using a likely Chinese-made foldable smartphone, highlighting how the country’s elite continues to circumvent sanctions to obtain the latest gadgets.
State media released images on December 14 showing Kim Yo Jong holding the device during a visit to inaugurate a hospital, alongside her brother. While the brand is not visible, the phone strongly resembles the Honor “Magic” foldable line from China, which is marketed as “the world’s thinnest foldable smartphone.”
The V3 model of the phone retails for approximately US$1,379 (S$1,781), far beyond the reach of average North Koreans, who reportedly earn around US$3 per month in state-run jobs.
Kim Yo Jong’s family is known for its fondness for high-tech devices. Kim Jong Un has previously been photographed using Apple products, including iPads and MacBooks, at official events. In 2023, he was also seen with a foldable smartphone during a missile launch.
UN sanctions targeting North Korea’s nuclear program prohibit the import of smartphones. Nonetheless, the domestic smartphone market has grown rapidly, with NK News reporting over a dozen brands now available in the country.
The images of Kim Yo Jong with the device underscore the elite’s ability to access high-end technology despite international restrictions.
