Is Kim Jong Un Holding a Huawei Smartphone?

Social Media Claim

A photo shared on the X platform seemingly depicts North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un holding a Huawei smartphone, sparking discussions about the implications of technology in a highly controlled regime.

Such photos have been circulated several times, with mixed reactions and expressions from users.

The following photo is captured from the above X user who says, “Kim has the Huawei Trifold smartphone?”.

X Post | Archived Link

The same photo, along with the identical claim, has also been observed and shared by another Facebook user. This repetition highlights the viral nature of the image and its ability to spread across different platforms.

You can find the details below for more information and specifics regarding this post.

Full View

Facebook Post | Archived Link

Similarly, the photo mentioned above was also found and posted on X recently, accompanied by a caption that said, “🇨🇳🇰🇵 Kim has the Huawei Trifold smartphone? Nice 🙂”.

X Post | Archived Link

Given the claim’s extensive dissemination and the considerable attention it has received from the internet community, we believed it was necessary to perform a fact-check on the above subject.

Fact Check

Fact Crescendo monitors and verifies these photos through the Google Reverse Image Search process, which leads us to find the truth as follows:

The same photo of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been published by Reuters on September 11, 2024, revealing that he is not holding a Huawei smartphone as previously claimed. In the authentic image, Kim is seen without any device in his hand, giving a thumbs-up signal while reportedly guiding a military drill at an army training base.

This starkly contrasts with the viral, digitally altered versions that circulated online.

Reuters News Report | Archived Link

The original photo was also released by North Korea alongside other images of the country’s leader inside a uranium enrichment facility, a site critical for producing material essential for nuclear weapons. This context adds significant weight to the imagery, as it highlights the regime's focus on advancing its nuclear capabilities. The photo and its accompanying images have been widely published by various reliable news media outlets, further emphasizing the importance of verifying claims about North Korean leadership and technology.

For more details, you can find these reports and analyses here, here & here.

The following is the comparison image between the original and the altered one.

Altered and manipulated videos and images can lead to the widespread dissemination of misinformation online. Such content can distort reality, mislead viewers, and influence public perception, making it crucial to critically evaluate the authenticity of visual media before sharing.

The Fact Crescendo team has been actively verifying claims and imagery, classifying those that are edited and contributing to user confusion. Our efforts highlight the importance of discerning accurate information in today’s digital landscape, as misinformation can have serious consequences for public understanding and trust.

For more information and detailed insights, you may refer to and read our stories here, here and here.

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Conclusion

Fact Crescendo found that the above photo posted on social media has been digitally altered. Kim Jong Un is seen without any device in his hand, giving a thumbs-up signal while reportedly guiding a military drill at an army training base.