London:
North Korea has warned its citizens against use of cell phones inside the country, saying anyone caught talking on mobile phone would be branded as a "war criminal" and punished accordingly, a media report said.
North Korea has long relied on a total restriction of information to maintain control over its isolated citizenry, and in this crucial time of transition between late Kim Jong Il and his successor, Kim Jong Un, the state is clamping down on anyone using mobile phones, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.
This is apparently because of fears of possible discontent among people if they come to know about conditions outside North Korea from any report sent into the country by mobile phones, the report said.
There are also concerns in North Korea that reports about the popular uprisings in the Middle East last year which toppled long-ruling dictators in countries like Tunisia, Libya and Egypt could trigger unrest in the isolated nation.
Moreover, the North Korean regime fears that any outside communication could assist anybody attempting to flee the country to reach South Korea, where an estimated 23,000 defectors have now settled, the report said.
Meanwhile, there are reports from within the isolated state that food supplies are dwindling again and that there has been an increase in the number of people attempting to cross the border into China.
North Korea recently accepted private food aid from the South Korean "Korea Peace Foundation" even as it maintains military exercises and standing threats against its neighbour.
North Korea has long relied on a total restriction of information to maintain control over its isolated citizenry, and in this crucial time of transition between late Kim Jong Il and his successor, Kim Jong Un, the state is clamping down on anyone using mobile phones, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.
This is apparently because of fears of possible discontent among people if they come to know about conditions outside North Korea from any report sent into the country by mobile phones, the report said.
There are also concerns in North Korea that reports about the popular uprisings in the Middle East last year which toppled long-ruling dictators in countries like Tunisia, Libya and Egypt could trigger unrest in the isolated nation.
Moreover, the North Korean regime fears that any outside communication could assist anybody attempting to flee the country to reach South Korea, where an estimated 23,000 defectors have now settled, the report said.
Meanwhile, there are reports from within the isolated state that food supplies are dwindling again and that there has been an increase in the number of people attempting to cross the border into China.
North Korea recently accepted private food aid from the South Korean "Korea Peace Foundation" even as it maintains military exercises and standing threats against its neighbour.
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