North Korea is ramping up its surveillance efforts by implementing surveillance cameras in schools and workplaces, as well as collecting biometric information from its citizens, according to a report released on Tuesday. The state is utilizing digital surveillance tools imported from China and domestically developed software to closely monitor its population, erasing many of the small spaces North Koreans have left for private activities. Despite facing challenges such as poor electricity supplies and low network connectivity, North Korea's digital surveillance isn't yet as pervasive as China's, the report from the North Korea-focused website 38 North revealed.

The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to tighten control over his citizens, as stringent border controls were imposed and maintained for three years before a cautious reopening in 2023. New laws and reports of harsh punishments indicate a crackdown on foreign influence and imported media, aided by fences and electronic monitoring systems installed on the border with China during the pandemic.

State media reports show that surveillance cameras are increasingly common in schools, workplaces, airports, and major roads in and out of the capital city, Pyongyang. The cameras, largely sourced from Chinese vendors, range from basic video feeds to advanced models with face recognition capabilities. North Korean universities and research institutions have been developing technologies related to movement detection and facial and license plate recognition, suggesting a future of more pervasive video surveillance.

In addition to video surveillance, North Korea is building detailed biometric profiles of its citizens through the latest version of national identification cards, which require fingerprints, facial photographs, and potentially even blood tests. The spread of CCTV cameras means increased surveillance of citizens' lives, with automatic detection systems posing a risk to those involved in illicit activities, as security cameras cannot be bribed like humans can.

Despite the challenges of processing vast amounts of video data in real-time on a national scale, North Korea aims to expand its surveillance network beyond major cities as infrastructure improves. Analysts believe the country may draw lessons from its neighbor, China, in building a more pervasive and comprehensive surveillance state.