 "Are West's favourite cartoons being created in North Korea?")
A recent report, deep diving on North Korea’s internet server revealed that the hermit nation’s animators may have helped in creating popular Western television cartoons for big firms like Amazon and HBO Max.
Researchers from the Washington-based 38 North project discovered multiple files on the North Korean internet server that included animations, written instructions and comments related to the projects that are under production for the foreign studios.
Some of these projects include Amazon Orginal’s animated series “Invincible” and anime named “Iyanu, Child of Wonder”. While the former series was produced by California-based Skybound Entertainment, the latter was created by Maryland-based YouNeek Studios.
The report goes against US sanctions
The claims made by the report can be concerning since the US sanctions prohibit almost all commercial activity between US citizens and North Korean entities.
It is important to note that there is still no evidence that the studios had any knowledge about their proprietary work present on the North Korea server.
The files in question were discovered in December by Nick Roy a Boston-based cyber-sleuth, who is known for regularly scanning North Korean internet as a hobby.
The discovery raised questions about the ability of US tech companies and creative arts companies to control their supply chains and avoid work that could inadvertently violate sanctions banning countries from doing business with North Korea.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIt also provides an interesting insight into how graphic designers operate in one of the world’s most closed countries.
Production houses deny involvement
After the report stirred major headlines, Skybound said it had no knowledge of any North Korean companies working on its animation. However, they made it clear that they are taking these allegations seriously and have initiated a thorough internal review on the matter.
“We have also notified the proper authorities and are cooperating with all appropriate bodies,” Skybound’s head of corporate communications Hannah Cosgrove said.
Meanwhile, HBO Max and YouNeek are yet to respond to the requests for comment.
North Korea’s tryst with the world of animations
In the past, North Korea’s premier animation house, April 26 Animation Studio, also known as SEK Studio has worked on several international projects. However, in 2016, the US Treasury Department designated the company as a North Korean state-owned enterprise and put it under sanctions.
Not only this, in 2021 and 2022, the US government also imposed sanctions on Chinese companies that have worked with the studio or acted as a middleman.
Hence, the recent discovery raises questions about the American production house’s association with North Korean entities.
With inputs from agencies.
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