Strange AI-generated pro-North Korean ads are appearing on TikTok, promoting nutritional supplements in an unusual way. These unmarked advertisements typically take the form of slideshows featuring Western individuals making positive claims about their experiences in North Korea. Unexpectedly, they then direct viewers to ads for supplements that are entirely unrelated to the rest of the content. TikTok is actively removing these posts as they’re reported, but they represent one of the more bizarre marketing attempts seen on the platform.
TikTok cracks down on fake North Korean propaganda used to advertise supplements
An exposé by 404 Media revealed the emergence of AI-generated pro-North Korean ads on TikTok. Some now-deleted accounts posted slideshows purportedly from Westerners who moved to North Korea or defectors who chose to return, claiming that the country’s standard of living is higher than that of the United States. For instance, one post stated that North Korea provides free three-room apartments in Pyongyang.
A common thread among these accounts is a slide featuring a supplement from a company called Reus Research. A search for this company on TikTok reveals numerous users advertising its supplements, urging viewers to make purchases. Most of these posts feature generic TikTok “fitness gurus” or “relatable parents” who earn commissions through affiliate links.
The accounts using pro-North Korean narratives to draw attention are employing a unique—and questionable—marketing approach. TikTok appears to disapprove of this tactic; as of now, none of these accounts seem to be active. While the company hasn’t released an official statement on this specific issue, the heightened scrutiny from Congress over the app’s ties to China may have prompted a swift response to any content resembling pro-North Korean propaganda, whether genuine or not.
