I decided to read the article out of curiosity and I really recommend y’all too because it is a very bizarre piece of propaganda. (you will probably get a security warning clicking the link but seems it’s just because they have failed to update to https for whatever reason.)

I was gonna make a whole post tearing into it, but I really don’t feel like it right now. If anyone wants me to, I’m more than happy to.

But I have to mention my favorite part: “…an old man is making chai in a quiet kitchenette, and when I greet him with shalom aleichem he stares at me blankly and then quickly turns his back.” Jewish unc is absolutely savage for that 😭 what a king.

I don’t think you were pushy. Don’t worry at all!

I totally get it. I use Linux on all my machines as well lol.

I think I’ll just tell her that if she wants to do something optional to be a bit safer, I can help her set up Linux Mint and teach her how to use it…but I’d be sure to tell her she doesn’t have to. I would love for her to use Linux of course, but I really worry that I might make her feel like she HAS to use it to be safe. She has anxiety and other mental health issues that are still being managed. The last thing I’d want to do is unintentionally make her feel like using Windows for anything will have the NIS kicking down her door.

Also, for me personally, pushing her in any way to use Linux as a daily driver just feels kinda wrong and over controlling for me to do. I refuse to be THAT kind of Linux user LOL

But of course, I appreciate you suggesting it! It’s a good idea, but I’ll probably instead help teach her opsec alongside tails. Thank you!

These are amazing resources, thank you! This, alongsides the resources in the other comments, are just what I’m looking for.

And don’t worry. Both of us are well aware of the danger she might be put in because of this. She does use a VPN, but like you said, that really isn’t enough. She’s not very technically literate so I was wondering what the best option would be for her…but after thinking for awhile I think the best option would be giving her a live USB with Tails OS on it, and telling her to only look at these materials online with TOR while using the USB. That would be the cheapest and easiest for her to use.

I know TOR was literally made by US military and the US government has been accused of compromising the service before by TOR themselves…but I think it’s probably the best option as she definitely wouldn’t be a major target compared to other TOR users.

My partner actually uploaded a higher quality version of the series onto archive.org. Since this higher quality version didn’t have subtitles, they retimed the subtitles for the whole series so it’s now the most definitive way to watch it. Here it is https://archive.org/details/squirrelandhedgehogdvdresync

Unlike a lot of the other series, these subtitles were done by fans AFAIK probably due to getting very popular in the west and also Russia as it was one of the first DPRK cartoons spread around on the Internet.

I’ve heard a lot of liberals lie and say it’s the only cartoon available in the DPRK, which is obviously false. But it’s actually far from the most popular over there. I guess that’s why it doesn’t seem to be a priority for Voice of Korea to translate for foreigners.