In an unusual twist, a report suggests that North Korean soldiers, reportedly deployed to support Russian forces in Ukraine, have developed a strong fascination for adult content. According to Financial Times commentator Gideon Rachman, the soldiers’ newfound access to unrestricted internet has sparked a form of “addiction” to pornography, a significant shift for troops from a country that tightly controls media and internet use. The claim, shared on Rachman’s social media account, highlights that these soldiers may be “gorging on pornography,” a phenomenon that could be due to the sheer novelty of open internet access, which is largely unavailable back home.
This development adds an unexpected layer to North Korea’s reported military involvement in Ukraine, though Rachman did not provide further information on how the soldiers’ digital habits are affecting their military duties. North Korean citizens generally face strict government control over information and internet, which limits access to only a few state-sanctioned websites. The unrestricted access now experienced by these troops could represent a unique cultural shift, albeit in the form of a controversial online pastime.
When approached for comments, the U.S. Defense Department refrained from confirming or denying these reports, offering no insights into the alleged behavior. Analysts speculate that the fascination with adult content could highlight the cultural shock faced by North Korean soldiers when exposed to open internet for the first time. It remains unclear if North Korean or Russian authorities are addressing this reported behavior among the troops or if it could impact their performance in any meaningful way.