North Korean troops sent to Russia ‘devour pornography’

North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia reportedly have access to the unrestricted Internet for the first time, with many using this newfound freedom to view pornography, according to Financial Times journalist Gideon Rachman.

“A usually reliable source tells me that the North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia have never had unfettered access to the Internet before. As a result, they are ingesting pornography.” Rachman posted on his X account.

This level of Internet access marks a significant change for North Korea’s troops, who are accustomed to strict digital controls at home.

The Ministry of Defense weighs in

Responding to reports that North Korean soldiers in Russia were reportedly to have access to unrestricted Internet for the first time, Defense Department spokesman Lt. Col. Charlie Dietz told the military. Task & purpose: “As entertaining as it sounds, I cannot confirm any North Korean internet habits or virtual ‘extracurriculars’ in Russia,” Dietz said.

He emphasized that the Pentagon’s focus remains on “the more serious aspects of North Korea’s involvement, if any, in Russia’s military operations.”

Regarding the issue of Internet access, he noted, “that’s a question best addressed to Moscow.”

Dietz added, “Right now, our focus remains on supporting Ukraine and addressing the more significant regional security concerns,” reflecting a commitment to broader U.S. strategic priorities in the region.

Tracking North Korean troops

That North Korean leader Kim Jong Un planned to deploy ground forces, including special operations units, to fight alongside the Russian army was the subject of a South Korean intelligence report in October.

Seoul’s top spy agency said it detected troop transport ships from Russia’s Pacific Fleet collecting thousands of North Korean soldiers from three locations on the east coast of the Korean Peninsula before delivering them to nearby Vladivostok.

The military personnel were organized into brigades and prepared at three locations in the Russian Far East, according to intelligence reports, which included satellite images of likely training camps in Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk and Blagoveshchensk, cities in Russia’s Primorsky, Khabarovsk and Amur regions.

Ukrainian military intelligence, backed by US assessments, believes more than 10,000 North Korean troops will eventually join the years-long war. Earlier this month, Kyiv said a group of soldiers was transported by rail directly to Russia’s western Kursk region, where Moscow’s forces have been fighting a surprise Ukrainian attack since August.

Will more North Korean troops be sent to Russia?

Several of Kim’s military units are expected to reach the front lines of the invasion, although it was not clear whether Pyongyang would sanction combat operations across the border into Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory. And subject experts remain divided about their effectiveness given the unknown geographical conditions.

Russia’s bicameral parliament recently ratified a mutual defense pact signed in June by Kim and President Vladimir Putin. The agreement is believed to be the legal rationale behind North Korea’s decision to engage in the first major foreign war in its history.

However, the Russian and North Korean governments have not yet confirmed the move. Senior officials in Kim’s regime say the allegations, if true, would be in line with international law – and would be in defense of ally Putin.

North Korea’s embassy in Beijing did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the matter.

This article includes reporting from the Associated Press