For years, PC gamers have speculated that Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s leader, is the sole Steam user in the country (based on the Steam Global Traffic Map). This led to excitement within the Steam community when the North Korean Steam user seemingly went offline yesterday. Fortunately, this absence was brief, as the North Korean Steam user, widely believed to be Kim Jong Un, is now back online. This return coincides with Stellar Blade [https://thenerdstash.com/tag/stellar-blade/] from South Korea achieving record-breaking popularity on PC.
The news of the lone North Korean Steam user’s disappearance and quick return spread rapidly on the Steam subreddit. Reddit user Kirby_coltellino initially reported that the NK Steam user went offline after years [https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/1lepl05/after_years_and_years_the_only_user_on_steam_in/] of activity (since 2016). A few hours later, Reddit user AmulyaCattyCat announced the NK Steam user’s return, and the subreddit welcomed them back enthusiastically.
The only North Korean user is back guys
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/1lf59ss/the_only_north_korean_user_is_back_guys/]
by u/AmulyaCattyCat in Steam
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/]
Currently, the Steam user from North Korea remains online and active, which can be verified using the Steam Global Traffic Map (Satellite View) [https://store.steampowered.com/stats/content/]. The North Korean government tightly controls both internet access and video games, and foreign media (including games) is generally prohibited, unless someone in a position of power is interested in it.
Predictably, jokes circulated as Steam users often speculate that the North Korean account belongs to Kim Jong Un himself. Given the potential consequences of accessing media deemed hostile propaganda by the state, it’s unlikely anyone else would risk it. Kim, as a dictator, would likely be immune to such repercussions. While we cannot confirm this, we acknowledge its possibility.
IS THAT KIM PLAYING STELLAR BLADE?
Another popular theory is that this North Korean Steam user was simply eager to play Stellar Blade. The Steam Global Map doesn’t reveal specific games downloaded by users, but Stellar Blade, developed by a South Korean studio, is currently a highly popular PC game.
Consequently, many Redditors have proposed the idea that Kim Jong Un was curious to see what their main rival created. Some have joked that he simply took a bathroom break before returning to gaming, possibly playing Stellar Blade or another title. Reportedly, Kim Jong Un has shown an interest in video games and other Western media.
Regardless, Steam users are pleased to see the most improbable gamer on the planet (whoever it may be) back online.
“Quick toilet break,” explains VictorSullyva
“Kim’s like ‘Wait! Stellar Blade launched on PC?’,” says prodigyZA
“Welcome back Kim!” cheers ClassicXD23
“We all like to assume the funny that Kim Jong Un is on counterstrike but this is actually because North Koreas only point of connection is in Pyongyang. There is more than likely a few people on Steam in North Korea at any given time, from People in Political Power, Foreign Diplomats, and i think Forgein Tourists. However, no matter where you use Steam, it will show your location as Pyongyang. So it looks like only 1 person is online,” suggests Extrimland
