MOSCOW (TASS): Western media outlets are accused of relying on unverified claims and defector testimonies to portray North Korea negatively, according to experts cited in an analysis by the Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN).

The analysis highlights recent reports alleging that North Korean teenagers were executed for watching the South Korean series Squid Game. Experts noted that some of the testimonies referenced in Western coverage came from individuals who left North Korea before June 2020, while the series premiered globally in September 2021, raising questions about the timeline.

The GFCN stated that many such reports rely heavily on single-source testimonies without independent verification. It argued that probabilistic assessments are sometimes presented as established facts, contributing to what it described as sensational narratives.

Andrei Lankov, a professor at Kookmin University in Seoul, said that while North Korea has tightened laws concerning hostile propaganda, simply watching foreign media content would not theoretically warrant capital punishment. He added that although imprisonment for distributing prohibited content has occurred since around 2015, he is not aware of any credible case of executions for merely viewing such material.

The GFCN analysis further observed that limited verified data from North Korea often leads to amplified reporting of dramatic claims. Experts cautioned that testimonies from defectors, while important, require cross-verification before being treated as conclusive evidence.

Lankov noted that some defectors may benefit from heightened media attention, suggesting that sensational accounts can attract public interest in South Korea and Western countries.

The GFCN concluded that in environments where access to reliable information is limited, transparency in sourcing and careful wording are essential to maintain credibility. It also warned that repeated discrepancies in reporting risk undermining audience trust over time.