Haeyang 701 & Samtaesung 8: Phones That Put MrWhoseTheBoss in Danger

Most of us use phones without thinking twice. They connect us to the world and help us talk to others. But in some places, phones do the opposite. They watch you, control you, and remind you who's in charge every time you tap the screen.

This story is about two unusual phones from North Korea: the cheap Haeyang 701 and the fancy Samtaesung 8. There isn't much information about these phones online. If you look for them, you’ll find almost nothing. Even experts don’t know much about them. That’s why it was so surprising when MrWhoseTheBoss got to see and try both phones.

What he discovered was strange. These phones are built to influence how people think, speak, and act. They don’t just block websites. They change the words you see. They watch what you do. And they make sure the stories you hear are always what the North Korean government wants.

What Makes These Phones So Unusual

The Haeyang 701 is one of the cheapest phones in North Korea. At first, it looks like a simple Android phone, but once you start typing, you notice it's very limited. Words like “South Korea” don’t appear; if you try, it changes to “puppet state.” Other words get replaced with asterisks, as if you’re typing something banned.

The Samsung 8, North Korea’s main phone, is even more restricted. It won’t let you type “North Korea” at all. Instead, it only allows an old, historical name for the country. If you try to type the leader’s name, the text turns bold automatically, as if the phone is reminding you who is boss.

Neither phone has real internet. They only connect to a government-controlled intranet with pre-approved apps, news, and videos. The Wi-Fi button doesn’t work, and on the newer phone, the Wi-Fi icon is even removed so you don’t expect to get free access.

Most of the apps, icons, and wallpapers look copied from other companies like Google and Huawei. Even the games and videos that seem original are often taken from other countries and changed to fit the government’s message.

Inside, the phones have a secret software called Red Flag. It scans all your files and apps, deleting anything that isn’t made by the government or the phone itself. The phones also take screenshots by themselves many times a day, and you can’t stop or delete them.

Because of these restrictions, it’s very hard for people in North Korea to watch foreign movies, share pictures, or send small files without being watched or tracked.

Why This Is So Risky To Expose

Talking about North Korea is dangerous. It’s one of the secretive countries in the world. They punish not only their own people but also outsiders who cross a line. When someone shows how their technology works, it threatens the government’s image.

They don’t want anyone to see inside their phones. They want to hide how they control information, how much content they copy or hide, and the tools they use for spying.

By showing details of these phones, MrWhoseTheBoss revealed secrets North Korea tries very hard to hide. He didn’t name the people who helped him, but North Korea reacts strongly when outsiders reveal what happens there.

Does this put him in danger? Probably yes, in some ways. North Korea has a history of threatening those who reveal their secrets. People exposing their technology can be called enemies or accused of attacking the country. They might not take direct action, but it can bring unwanted attention.

The danger isn’t only from North Korea. People who helped get the phones or gave information could face serious trouble. Even small leaks have led to arrests. That’s why the groups helping to get these phones are very careful about sharing information.

Conclusion

Most of us live in places where phones give us freedom. In North Korea, phones do the opposite. They control what people see, remind them what they’re allowed to say, limit their knowledge of the outside world, and quietly record what they do.

The Haeyang 701 and Samtaesung 8 are more than just phones. They show how technology can be used to control people. By exposing these phones, MrWhoseTheBoss gave the world a rare look at something very hard to see.

This reminds us that the same technology that can give freedom can also take it away, depending on who has the power.