From the Daily NK:
In North Korea, South Korean dramas are confidentially distributed through VCDs(‘Flat eggs’, as the Cds are known). Previously, North Koreans were only allowed to watch films from the DPRK, China and USSR. Posessing VCDs was also illegal.
According to Mr. Lee, a Chinese-North Korean who often visits Shinuiju, “Recently, Kim Jong Il has allowed North Koreans to see films only on the flat eggs(CDs) produced by Hana Electronic [the state-owned production monopoly]”. He added “Hana Electronics VCDs are all North Korean movies, Chinese movies featuring fighting with Japanese soldiers, and the Soviet Union movies”.
However, North Koreans are enthusiastic about South Korean dramas such as Love Song in Winter and Autumn Story and obsolete Western movies Rambo and ‘Bruce Lee’.
Mr. Lee said that “Recently South Korean dramas have been distributed widely, and because North Koreans see religious activities and adult materials through the flat eggs(CDs), the North Korean government dispatched an extensive censors group to crack down them”.
In North Korea, every kind of VCD was prohibited. However, realizing that North Koreans took pleasure in secretly watching the widely distributed VCDs, the North Korean government changed its policy and “partially” allowed its people to watch.
Mr. Lee said that, “These days, the punishment for [watching videos] has lightened, so watching VCDs except religious materials is just fined or orally warned”, adding, “The government does not take violators to political prison camps, but maybe Nodon Danryeondae (Labor facility), or Gyohwaso (long-term labor camp)”. Subsequently, he said that, “Because all officials of the National Security Agency and officials of the People’s Safety Agency see the dramas, the government can not unconditionally prevent from watching like the past”.
He said that, “Recently, the numbers of religious people have increased, and because of it, some people were caught watching religious films”, and “It is hard to survive in the religious cases”.
Meanwhile, shortwave radios are illegally traded at around 2,000 won($0.67) at Jangmadangs. Until 3 or 4 years ago, the government had carried out the reporting system about the illegal trades, but after the news that South Korea and the U.S sent radios, the trades at Jangmadangs were officially inhibited.
Now it was known that the small radios sold in secret are carried in through smuggling vessels generally in Jagangdo province, North Korea. financial problems are resolved, a broker is introduced and guidance to an exile route is given.
