North Korea executed 2 high-school boys for watching K-dramas, made others watch the killing

Rogue nation North Korea has reportedly executed two high-school boys for watching and distributing K-dramas and American shows. They were executed in early October, South Korean news agency, Chosun Ilbo reported. 

What happened: The boys belonged to Hyesan city, located near the North Korea-China border. Locals were asked to watch the execution of the minors as they were shot dead by a firing squad. There was also a third minor boy who was executed at the same time for allegedly killing his stepmother. 

• It seems like in Kim Jong-un's eyes, killing someone and watching K-dramas are the same kind of crime. 
• Usually, minors aren't executed for "crimes", but are given other punishments such as labour camps in North Korea. 
• However, it seems like Kim Jong-un wanted to send a stern message to North Koreans daring to consume foreign media.
• In 2020, the Kim Jong-un dictatorship made punishments stricter for consuming and distributing foreign media, calling South Korean media a "vicious cancer". 

North Korea and K-dramas: Foreign films and series, especially those from the neighbouring South Korea, are banned in the North. And the punishment for violators is beyond what the free society can think of.

But how does foreign media get into North Korea, one of the most isolated countries in the world?

• NPR reported in 2017, quoting James Pearson, a reporter, and co-author of the 2015 book North Korea Confidential, that it is impossible for even the most repressive regime to keep information out in this day and age. 

• Foreign media is often smuggled into North Korea in USB sticks or SD cards, usually from China, with whom Pyongyang is a bit friendlier. 
• Reports say even the North Korean government officials are often involved as it means a few more bucks on the side. You see, the officials are paid peanuts, so are usually easy to bribe. 

• NPR reported that the demand is so high for foreign media in North Korea, that some Chinese companies make a specific product meant for smuggling media into North Korea. 
• A device called "notel", a portable media player with a USB input, is reportedly famous. It contains North Korean propaganda as well as illegal media, so even if caught, people can say they were just watching propaganda.  

Why do North Koreans risk their lives to watch foreign media? A 2022 survey of North Korean defectors and even those still living in North Korea, by Seoul-based Unification Media Group, found that 96% had watched K-dramas such as Squid Game and Crash Landing On You. 

Why does Kim Jong-un not allow foreign media? The dictatorship of North Korea is afraid that if people start watching foreign media, they will start changing the way they think and start a rebellion against the regime, or at least start asking questions about their failures. 

• There are a few exceptions though. North Korea seems to allow very select foreign media to be shown to North Koreans during a select period of time. 
• North Korea has something called the "Pyongyang International Film Festival", which invites filmmakers and films from around the world to be screened. It has its own awards. It was last held in 2018.
• In fact, even Indian films such as Rustom, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, etc were also screened over the years.