Pyongyang: The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has recently been seen holding what appears to be a Chinese foldable smartphone. Members of the country's ruling class are often observed with the latest smartphone technologies.

According to Yonhap News Agency, a photo published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) showed Kim Yo-jong holding a smartphone that seemed to be a foldable model from Chinese firm Honor's Magic series. She was accompanying Kim Jong-un on an inspection of a newly built regional hospital.

A pro-North Korean news outlet based in Japan has reported that North Korea produces smartphones under an indigenous brand. However, the photo provides only a rough image of the phone held by Kim Yo-jong, without revealing any information about the device's manufacturer, though it appears to be a Chinese model.

If the device was indeed imported from China, it could potentially violate United Nations Security Council Resolution 2397. This resolution prohibits the supply of electrical equipment to North Korea due to concerns over foreign-currency earnings and technology acquisition.

In 2023, Kim Jong-un and Hyon Song-wol, a party vice director, were also seen with foldable phones in released photos. However, the manufacturers or features of these devices were not identifiable.