North Korea Focus

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Printers and copiers are closely controlled in North Korea. Businesses, organizations, and schools require several levels of approval for printing, no matter how small. Padlocked copiers are not uncommon. Private ownership of small printers is not allowed. Illegal, unauthorized printing is a felony punishable by imprisonment in a political prison camp or even execution.

The main reason why the use of printers and copiers is so strictly controlled in North Korea is to enforce information control and censorship. North Korea tightly controls the flow of information to prevent its citizens from accessing content critical of the government or information from the outside world. These controls are essential to keeping Kim Jong-un in power.

Printers and photocopiers are an easy way to reproduce and disseminate documents and information, so by controlling them, the government hopes to prevent anti-government materials or banned information from reaching the public. It prohibits private ownership of printers and photocopiers, and requires multiple levels of authorization to use institutional printers.

It also imposes heavy penalties on anyone caught printing without authorization. North Korea does this to warn its people and force them to follow the instructions and policies of the Workers' Party. While these measures are justified in the name of national security and stability, they actually severely restrict individual freedoms and rights.

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