Pyongyang’s Hwasong district is home to a LAN gaming center that’s open to the public, but North Korean authorities maintain strict oversight of every aspect of its operation.
According to a Daily NK source in Pyongyang recently, the gaming center operates daily from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Users must present their ID or student card and log their entry and exit times, along with which computer they used.
The few people who have purchased monthly memberships receive electronic passes for entry. However, these passes also track usage, allowing the facility to monitor who used which computer, when, and for what activities.
Limited access under constant watch
Computers at the center can access Kwangmyong, North Korea’s national intranet, but outside internet access is blocked. The facility’s system automatically records all execution and access logs.
The center’s management room can monitor all screens in real-time, while staff conduct regular patrols. When they spot politically problematic statements or behavior, they immediately report to superiors.
This approach suggests authorities want to prevent the spread of information unfavorable to the regime or political dissent by offering limited facility access while strictly blocking outside connections and closely monitoring user activity.
“On the surface, the center looks like an amenity where people can experience modern lifestyle, but it actually lets authorities see who did what and where,” the source explained. “People play computer games or watch movies, but some users can’t hide their anxiety because even the smallest mistake could get them in immediate trouble.”
Police and state security officers from Hwasong district also conduct regular inspections that go beyond facility management, suggesting authorities are concerned about the center potentially undermining regime stability.
Strategic facility disguised as entertainment
Many people view the center not simply as a leisure space but as a strategic facility. They believe authorities aim to create the appearance of satisfying people’s desires while simultaneously maintaining ideological control.
“People say the authorities want citizens to think they’re enjoying modern lifestyles in a controlled environment, and that the center is just for show,” the source said.
The facility primarily serves university and high school students, with simple games like horse, car, and bicycle races proving most popular. When new games appear, users flock in through word of mouth.
The center charges 5,000 North Korean won per hour—users can pay electronically using cards or mobile phones. They can also purchase drinks, snacks, or printing and copying services, with proceeds going to authorities and the Socialist Patriotic Youth League. This means authorities use the facility as a revenue source.
North Korea plans to open similar facilities in other major cities including Wonsan, Sinuiju, and Hamhung.
