US cannot confirm that the North Korean military in Russia is "gorging on pornography"
Kyiv • UNN
The Pentagon has commented on reports of North Korean military personnel watching pornography in Russia. A representative of the US Department of Defense said that they are concerned about more serious aspects of military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia.
The Pentagon said on Tuesday night that it could not confirm reports that North Korean troops are using their wider Internet access in Russia to view large amounts of online pornography, UNN reports citing Politico.
Details
US Department of Defense spokesman Major Charlie Dietz said he couldn’t verify "any North Korean internet habits or virtual ‘extracurriculars’" taking place in Russia, saying the Pentagon is only concerned with the "more serious" aspects of the North Korean military relationship with Russia as it wages war on Ukraine.
"As for internet access, that’s a question best directed to Moscow. Right now, our attention remains on supporting Ukraine and addressing the more significant regional security concerns," Dietz said.
His comments came in response to a report, first posted to social media by Financial Times commentator Gideon Rachman, that North Korean troops are "gorging on pornography" thanks to their newfound online freedom.
Although access to the Internet in Russia is not unlimited, it is freer than in North Korea, one of the world's most restrictive countries in this regard, the publication points out.
In late October, North Korean troops were deployed to assist Putin in his war against Ukraine, which raised concerns around the world about an escalation of Russia's full-scale offensive, the newspaper writes.
