Khaberni - The appearance of Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, holding a modern smartphone during an official event, sparked a wave of questions about the type of the device and its source, amid stringent international sanctions imposed on Pyongyang.
This occurred during her participation in an official event to inaugurate a medical facility, where photos broadcasted by North Korean official media showed Kim Yo Jong holding what appears to be a high-specifications foldable phone.
Although the brand is not directly clear, analysts and technicians speculate that the device could be one of the advanced Chinese models from the Honor Magic foldable series.
This type of phone is among the latest and most expensive in the global markets, with some models reaching a price of more than 1300 US dollars.
This appearance gains special importance in light of sanctions that prohibit the export of advanced electronic devices to North Korea, as part of international measures aimed at limiting its nuclear and missile capabilities.
Observers believe that the presence of such devices among senior officials may indicate special or indirect channels for acquiring foreign technology.
Despite the absence of any official comment from Pyongyang regarding the type of phone or how it was obtained, the circulated photos have caused a broad stir and have brought renewed focus on the complexities of implementing international sanctions.
This is not the first time that North Korean officials have been observed using advanced devices; leader Kim Jong Un himself has previously been seen using foreign-made tablets and laptops at official events.
