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Digital Divide: Mobile Lives of Two Koreas

Digital Divide: Mobile Lives of Two Koreas

Written by: Grace Lee
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Digital Divide: Mobile Lives of Two Koreas explores how mobile technology shapes life, communication, education, and commerce in both North and South Korea.


A new episode every month.


Also available on YouTube!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grace Lee
Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The Cell Phone North Korea Can’t Control
    Dec 23 2025

    The second episode of Digital Divide focuses on how mobile phones in North Korea provide personal connectivity while reinforcing strict state control. Although their introduction sparked excitement and sacrifice among citizens, phone usage is tightly monitored—with no chat rooms, heavy surveillance, and widespread self-censorship.


    So why does the regime even allow cell phones?


    ❤️ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhM_IyUMR-i3fnlT1lOX1bYl937yiiVyr

    📱 Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/gwiks.elliott.gwu

    🔑 Check out UniKorea Foundation: https://www.unikoreafoundation.org/unikoreafoundation/

    🇰🇷 Check out GW Institute for Korean Studies: https://gwiks.elliott.gwu.edu/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • Mobile North Korea: A World Hidden in Plain Sight
    Dec 3 2025

    The debut episode of Digital Divide explores North Korea’s evolving mobile ecosystem—from domestically made smartphones and new foldable models to strict controls over ownership, monitoring, and access to foreign media. The hosts highlight how phones have become central to daily life, with people engrossed in games and state-approved streaming despite constant surveillance. They also touch on smuggling networks, black-market devices, and efforts to block foreign signals.


    Could North Korea eventually adapt to South Korea’s advanced digital landscape?



    ❤️ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gwiks/featured

    📱 Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/gwiks.elliott.gwu

    🔑 Check out UniKorea Foundation: https://www.unikoreafoundation.org/unikoreafoundation/

    🇰🇷 Check out GW Institute for Korean Studies: https://gwiks.elliott.gwu.edu/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
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