Kim Yo Jong was photographed holding what appears to be a Chinese-made foldable smartphone at a hospital opening, a sighting that highlights how North Korea’s elite access banned technology despite UN sanctions. The device closely resembles the Honor Magic V3, which retails for about $1,379 — far above typical state-industry wages estimated at roughly $3 per month. Analysts note the Kim family's affinity for gadgets and say a growing domestic smartphone market now offers more than a dozen brands.
Kim Yo Jong Photographed With Likely Chinese Foldable Phone, Highlighting Elite Access to Banned Tech
Images released by state media on Sunday showed Kim Yo Jong holding the phone in her right hand during a trip to a hospital opening alongside her brother (STR)(STR/KCNA VIA KNS/AFP)
Photos released by North Korean state media show Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of leader Kim Jong Un, holding what appears to be a Chinese-made foldable smartphone while attending the opening of a hospital with her brother.
Although the device's logo is not visible in the images, its design closely resembles Honor's flagship foldable series — widely identified in reporting as the Honor Magic V3 — a model that retails at roughly $1,379. That price point is far beyond the means of most North Koreans, with some analysts estimating wages in state-run industries at only around $3 per month.
Context and implications
UN sanctions imposed in response to North Korea's nuclear program prohibit the import of civilian smartphones, but specialists say the country's elite continue to obtain premium devices through informal channels or exemptions. The sighting underscores ongoing questions about how high-ranking figures and privileged circles circumvent trade restrictions to access the latest overseas consumer technology.
Members of the Kim family have previously been photographed using international consumer electronics: Kim Jong Un has appeared with Apple iPads and MacBooks at public events and was seen carrying a foldable phone during a 2023 missile launch.
At the same time, analysts tracking North Korea’s tech market report that a domestic smartphone ecosystem has expanded in recent years. Specialist outlet NK News has identified more than a dozen brands sold inside the country, reflecting growing local demand and adaptation despite sanctions.
Photos such as these provide a visual glimpse into the contrast between everyday living conditions for most citizens and the access enjoyed by the regime’s inner circle.
While the brand and model cannot be definitively confirmed from the released pictures, the images add to a pattern of high-profile sightings suggesting that sanctions do not fully prevent the flow of premium consumer electronics into elite circles in Pyongyang.
