LOS ANGELES.- Animators North Koreans They would have worked on the creation of cartoons for two large studios. Hollywood, in violation of the sanctions imposed on Pyongyang, he scored one investigation from the website 38 North.
According to the American organization specialized in North Korea, some images from the superhero series Invincible e Iyanu, Child of Wonder, produced by Amazon Prime Video and Max, respectively, were unknowingly outsourced to North Korea.
Pyongyang is subject to numerous international sanctions for its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, as well as human rights violations.
North Korea has recognized experience in the field of animation, an industry with which it spreads propaganda and with which it also generates income despite its international isolation.
Investigacin
The government-run cartoon production company SEK Studio was placed under US sanctions in 2021.
In its investigation, 38 North identified an Internet server based in North Korea to which images related to Western productions are uploaded daily, along with instructions for animators and comments on their work.
“There is nothing to suggest that the companies identified in the images knew that part of their project had been outsourced to North Korean animators,” the site explains.
The finding highlights: “the difficulty of applying current US sanctions in such a global industry and the need for US animation companies to be much better informed about all the companies that participate in their projects,” the organization continues.
Amazon Studios did not respond to AFP’s request for comment. Max, the service streaming owned by Warners Bros. Discovery, declined to comment.
North Korea target
A source close to the project Wonder He told AFP that a South Korean animation studio had been hired for the series, but was no longer involved due to suspicions that it had outsourced tasks.
Twenty years ago, North Korea collaborated with the entire world in animation. SEK’s main clients included French, Italian and Chinese studios. Industry analysts even believe that some images from Disney films The Lion King y Pocahontas They were ordered from the North Korean company.
According to the US government, North Korea uses thousands of highly skilled IT workers around the world to support its weakened economy.
They hide or falsify their identity to obtain contracts and payments as freelancers, in violation of sanctions, and are also linked to cyberattacks, according to Washington.
FUENTE: AFP
