North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia are experiencing unrestricted internet access for the first time, and many are reportedly using it to view pornography. According to Financial Times journalist Gideon Rachman, the troops, who have never had free access to the internet before, are “gorging on pornography.”
This marks a strange new chapter for soldiers who have been subject to strict digital controls in North Korea.
The U.S. Department of Defense was asked about the reports but stated it is unfamiliar with the details. A spokesperson emphasized the department is focused on the more serious aspects of the ongoing war.
They said they’re more worried about the increasing presence of North Korean troops on the ground in Ukraine.
Intelligence from both Ukraine and the U.S. suggests that more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers could eventually join war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed some of these soldiers have already been deployed to the Kursk region.
There are already reports of clashes between North Korean and Ukrainian soldiers. Some of those have resulted in casualties.
Zelenskyy believes there are currently around 11,000 North Korean troops in the region. This comes as Ukraine’s military incursions into Russian territory have largely stalled.
