North Korean animators reportedly worked on American cartoons despite sanctions

North Korean animators appear to have worked on upcoming animated films from two Hollywood studios in violation of sanctions imposed on Pyongyang, according to an investigation by website 38 North.

According to the North Korea-focused organization based in the United States, some images from the superhero series “Invincible” and “Iyanu, the Miracle Child,” produced by Amazon Prime Video and Max respectively, are protected by copyright without copyright protection. their knowledge to this rogue country.

North Korea, under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, is under multiple international sanctions due to its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, as well as human rights abuses.

Pyongyang has acknowledged its expertise in animation, an industry it has relied on to promote propaganda to its population and generate revenue despite its international isolation.

In 2021, its state-owned cartoon producer SEK Studio came under US sanctions.

Sanctions that are difficult to apply

During its investigation, 38 North discovered an Internet server based in North Korea that was uploading images related to Western productions on a daily basis, as well as instructions for animators and commentary on their work.

“There is no evidence that the companies named in the images knew that part of their project was subcontracted to North Korean animators,” the site explains.

The finding highlights “the difficulty of enforcing current U.S. sanctions in such a global industry” and “the need for U.S. animation companies to be much better informed about all the companies involved in their projects,” the organization continues.

Representatives of Amazon Studios did not respond to AFP’s request. Max, a streaming service owned by Warners Bros. Discovery declined to comment.

A source familiar with the Iyanu project told AFP that a South Korean animation studio had been hired to work on the series but was no longer involved due to suspicions of possible outsourcing by that subcontractor.

Is The Lion King imagery outsourced?

Twenty years ago, North Korea was still collaborating with the world on animation. SEK Studio counted French, Italian and Chinese studios among its main clients.

Some observers even believe that some images from Disney’s flagship films The Lion King and Pocahontas were transferred to the North Korean company.

North Korea is using thousands of highly skilled information technology workers around the world to prop up its weakened economy, according to the U.S. government. They hide or misrepresent their identity to obtain contracts and payments as freelancers, in violation of sanctions, and have also been linked to cyber attacks.

US companies are advised to carefully verify the resumes and identities of their freelance employees, including using fingerprints or biometric login information.