North Korean troops, deployed in Ukraine for Russia support, addicted to porn after unrestricted internet access: report

North Korean soldiers deployed in support of Russian forces in Ukraine for the first time in history reportedly have unrestrained access to the internet—a drastic departure from their tightly controlled media environment back home. This rare connectivity has allegedly led some of these soldiers to consume large amounts of online pornography, according to a Financial Times report. The claim has raised eyebrows, highlighting the potential psychological impact of internet exposure on troops from one of the world’s most isolated nations.

Foreign affairs commentator Gideon Rachman from the Financial Times shared the information on X (formerly Twitter), citing a "usually reliable source." Rachman wrote, “The North Korean soldiers who have deployed to Russia have never had unfettered access to the internet before. As a result, they are gorging on pornography.”

However, Rachman offered no further details about how his source ascertained the online activities of the roughly 10,000 North Korean troops reportedly dispatched to assist Russian forces in Ukraine.
When approached for verification, Pentagon spokesperson Army Lt. Col. Charlie Dietz expressed skepticism. “As entertaining as that sounds, I can’t confirm any North Korean internet habits or virtual ‘extracurriculars’ in Russia,” Dietz stated in an interview with Task and Purpose.

“We’re focused on the more serious aspects of North Korea’s involvement, if any, in Russia’s military operations. 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.”

The potential effects of unrestricted internet access on North Korean troops—who have largely been shielded from global media and cultural influences—are unknown. Military analysts suggest that the sudden exposure to graphic online content could have unintended consequences on troops' morale and mental resilience, especially for soldiers from a country where information is rigorously censored and media options are limited.