Information Access in North Korea Continues to Increase

The Economist recently published an article exploring the ways in which North Koreans are accessing more information connecting them to the outside world. Despite the efforts of leaders inside the country to curb such access, it is estimated that more than 70% of North Koreans have access to television and more than 40% have access to radio.

Nearly 80% of North Koreans surveyed claimed that word of mouth was an important source of information but only 40% said the same of domestic television. Moreover, slightly more than 20% said that South Korean radio was an important source of information, despite the fact that listening to non-state run radio stations is illegal. In contrast, only about 5% said that domestic radio was an important source of information.