Cho’s remark came as Rep. Yoon Hu-duk of the ruling Democratic Party asked him to corroborate the number of mobile phone subscriptions in North Korea, which Cho confirmed as around 6 million, with each device priced at $100 to $200.

The proliferation of mobile phone use comes as a surprise in the rigidly censored state, especially considering the average monthly income in the North which stands at around $80.

“Internet is not open to access and formed rather like a local network (in North Korea.) Despite the restrictive access, it is understood that (BTS-related cultural content) is circulating among North Korean teens,” Cho said.

“According to a National Intelligence report, the number of mobile phones is estimated at around 5.8 million,” a representative of the opposition party said, adding that the rapidity with which the number of units is rising is something that “even North Korean authorities could not have predicted.”

The minister went on to explain that the wireless mobile communications technology in North Korea is considered the equivalent of a third-generation network or below.

By Kim Arin (arin@heraldcorp.com)