The building blocks from toymaker Sangmyung first appeared on North Korean state television in October, and a North Korea-linked Twitter account posted photos of them in early December – .
Faithful copies of Lego bricks
One set called “Manned Spacecraft” features a rocket launch scene that looks virtually the same as the Lego “Deep Space Rocket and Launch Control” model. It has almost identical packaging, rocket and figures, and control center. Another set depicts the popular North Korean martial arts film “Hong Kil Dong”, but it bears a striking resemblance to Lego Ninjago sets.
Yuna Jung, a North Korean defector, told NK News that these kinds of toys “are really common in North Korea and kids love them.” She also added that sets such as the one depicting a missile launch are intended to help Pyongyang reinforce in children the idea that “the South Korean army and the US army are our enemies and we need such missiles.”
This is not the first time North Korea has copied Lego bricks or other toys. The country ruled by Kim Jong Un is also known for producing and importing illegal versions of Western products – from clothes to films and video games.
Lego did not respond to NK News’ requests for comment on North Korea’s counterfeiting of its products and possible copyright infringement.
Source: Gazeta
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