For the general population in the United States, playing video games is something of a pastime, but what about in North Korea? While the rest of the world is gathering around to play games such as “Squid Game” on their phones and computers, North Koreans are not afforded any such luxury. While there have been attempts to loosen the restrictions on the nation’s media, North Korea remains a tightly controlled nation with exorbitant limits on what can and cannot be done.
The North Korean government’s attitude towards video games is due to numerous factors. For one, the North Korean regime sees the production and playing of video games as a form of cultural “pollution” – one that could lead to the spread of Western ideologies. Secondly, with poverty a major issue in the nation, the government is keen to manage the usage of electricity, of which video games can be considered a major drain. Finally, streaming video games carries with it the risk of unwelcome and inappropriate content which the regime is not disposed to risk being visible in the country.
It is no wonder then that many vocal experts on the subject have gone on to propose that the notion of North Koreans playing video games is out of the question entirely. Dr. Kim, a South Korean expert on North Korean affairs, offered the following opinion on the matter: “Until recently, North Korean citizens were not allowed access to the outside world. Those who try to access ‘Squid Game’ may even be punished due to the risk of propaganda which could be included in the game.” Listening to her opinion makes clear the North Korean government’s attitude and intentions.
Conversely, some have ventured to suggest that North Koreans should have access to video games, even though the idea may sound absurd. One such supporter of the avant-garde idea is Mr. Gong, a civil rights activist who believes that the citizens of North Korea should be given the chance to experience and learn from the Western world. He claims that while the North Korean government cannot hope to win an all-out confrontation, it should at least provide the citizens with games such as ‘Squid Game’ as a way to humanize the citizens and potentially even increase trust between them and their government.
However, the idea of North Koreans playing video games is hampered by the nation’s economic condition. With electricity supplies decreasing, it is likely that the North Korean government will continue to impose restrictions on the usage of video games in the nation. Consequently, the prospect of North Koreans playing video games remains bleak.
Is there a Possibility for Change?
When discussing the potential of North Korea introducing video games, the idea of change comes to the fore. After all, it is plausible that a more open-minded government could introduce video games with the nation without sacrificing power over the citizens. It is also worth considering that North Korea could potentially benefit from the global video game industry which continues to generate consistently high profits.
In order to make the possibility of introducing video games a reality, supporters suggest that the North Korean government should focus on economic reforms that would help increase the nation’s GDP. This could allow the government to better manage its electricity supply and consequently potentially remove restrictions imposed on video games. Furthermore, the introduction of video games could help boost the national economy, raising the overall quality of life in the nation.
Progress Made so Far?
Despite the pessimistic outlook, progress has been made in the realm of North Korea and video games. In July 2018, the North Korean government announced the launch of their own video game, Red Star 3, with the intent to generate more internalized patriotic pride. The game was the first video game to be released from North Korea and was met with positive reactions from citizens around the world. Furthermore, there has been recent evidence of North Koreans playing video games such as StarCraft, albeit in low numbers.
Overall, the recent announcements demonstrate a potential crack in the nation’s former stance against video games, providing support for a potential future for North Korea in the gaming industry. However, to say that North Korea will be in a position to enjoy ‘Squid Games’ anytime soon is still very much a long shot.
Private Gaming Consoles
The availability of private gaming consoles could, however, provide a means of access to video games. This could be done by showcasing video games from the Western world in their region. North Korean citizens could be given access to gaming consoles, leading to the potential introduction of such titles as ‘Squid Game’.
However, this idea is not without opposition. Critics have pointed out the potential for the North Korean government to misuse the consoles and instead of allowing access to games, the government could use them to look down upon its citizens. This idea makes it difficult to gauge the potential acceptance of video games around the nation.
Conclusion?
Despite some progress in the acceptance of video games, North Korea remains largely unopened and distant to the rest of the world, and video games are part of that mix. It is clear that the government has recently been making attempts to relax the restrictions, yet the situation remains unfavorable, particularly concerning the prospect of playing ‘Squid Game’.
All in all, North Korea remains a mysterious and difficult to fathom nation which continues to symbolize some of the most restrictive policies in modern times. With regards to video games, North Korea still has a long way to go before it enters the world of gaming and takes a seat at the same the table as the rest of the world.
