North Korea has long been known as one of the most restrictive countries in the world, with a great deal of control over what its citizens are allowed to do and contemplate. This includes, as many might expect, the use of the internet. In a country so closed off, with little, if any, access to proper internet infrastructure, one might ask: what websites are allowed in North Korea?
It goes without saying that most of the Western websites are completely blocked, with no possible access whatsoever. This includes popular websites such as Google and Facebook, as well as news outlets like CNN. The only way a North Korean citizen could access these websites would be to go abroad as a tourist.
Citizens actually have access only to a few websites that have been specifically created by the state and are mostly used for propaganda purposes, or to inform citizens about the North Korean government’s activities. One of these websites is called “Uriminzokkiri”, which is a news site aimed at spreading North Korean propaganda. Another site is a blog created by the North Korean government, called “Naenara”. This website provides North Koreans with information about government programs and activities, as well as very limited international news.
Apart from government-controlled sites, there is one more website which is allowed in North Korea: the “Ryugyong Social Network”. This is an internal, state-run intranet, and was created in July 2018. It is not connected to the external internet, thus providing North Korean authorities with an extra layer of control over what its citizens are allowed to access online. This intranet consists of various websites including video-sharing, e-commerce, and even a search engine similar to Google. Those with access to the network are also able to send messages, exchange photos and read North Korean newspapers.
In terms of internet infrastructure, North Korea is a fairly advanced country, but with a strong focus on government-controlled infrastructure. Citizens have limited access to the internet, but also access to some websites that have been specifically created by the state. What websites are allowed in North Korea is a question with a very limited answer, but the answer is out there.
The Digital Divide in North Korea
In terms of internet infrastructure, North Korea does not compare to most developed countries. In fact, it is estimated that there are only 1,024 government-controlled websites which North Korean citizens can access, as compared to billions of websites across the world. This highlights the digital divide that exists between North Korea and other countries, and is one of the main hoops through which the North Korean government restricts access to information and communication.
The internet infrastructure in North Korea is also a central tool used by the government to control its citizens. Only the privileged few have access to it; even those who have access do not have full access to the internet. North Korea’s large-scale efforts to restrict its citizens’ access to the internet are a clear sign of the digital divide that exists in the country. It also reveals the oppressive nature of its government, which is keen on controlling what its citizens can read and access online.
The fact that most websites are blocked shows how difficult it is for North Koreans to access the same amount of resources that other countries have access to. This impacts the education system, as students in North Korea do not have access to the same amount of educational content online as those in other countries, thus hindering their academic progress.
It is also concerning that North Korea spends such large amounts of money ensuring that its citizens are restricted from accessing the internet, while it has a shortage of resources in other areas such as healthcare, education and welfare. As it stands, the world’s digital divide between North Korea and the rest of the world is ever-widening.
Propaganda and Digital Security
Apart from controlling and restricting the information North Koreans receive, the government also controls the way they use the internet. By controlling the websites they can access, they can also control the way they think. North Korea’s intranet is mainly used to spread propaganda in favour of the government, and citizens are encouraged to support the regime through the applications available on the intranet.
The government also uses digital security measures in order to ensure that the intranet is secure and private, and that government secrets remain hidden. North Korea has a long history of using technology to spy on its people, and has been known to use malware and digital threats to intimidate and control its citizens. This highlights the necessity of digital security in North Korea, and shows how the government is investing time and money in order to ensure its citizens cannot access prohibited websites.
The fact that the intranet and other websites are heavily monitored by the government serves as a warning for those in North Korea about what information can and cannot be accessed. It is a reminder that the government is always watching, and is keen to ensure that its citizens are not viewing or sharing information that could be perceived as being threatening to the government.
This control over the internet serves as a reminder to citizens that the government is always monitoring what websites are allowed in North Korea, thus controlling the type of information they can access.
The Role of the International Community
Although the digital divide between North Korea and the rest of the world continues to grow, the international community has tried to bridge this divide in the past. There have been many attempts by the international community to give North Korean citizens access to the internet, such as providing access to basic internet services and setting up Wi-Fi hotspots.
The United Nations has also condemned North Korea’s control of the internet, citing it as a violation of the right to freedom of expression. The United Nations has urged North Korea to allow its citizens access to the internet and other forms of communication in order to ensure their human rights are respected.
However, despite these attempts, the North Korean government has remained adamant in its decision to control internet access, and continues to severely limit the freedoms of its citizens in this regard. It is clear that the international community is unlikely to make any significant progress in bridging the digital divide between North Korea and the rest of the world in the immediate future.
The lack of access to the internet has also made it difficult for North Koreans to communicate with the rest of the world, thus hindering the country’s progress in terms of economic and social development. North Korea’s control of the internet is a demonstration of just how isolated the country is, and just how much control the government has over its citizens.
The Impact of the Internet on North Korean Society
Although North Korea’s control of the internet means that its citizens lack access to many sources of information and communication, it has not stopped North Koreans from using the internet. In spite of the restrictions, there are reports that many citizens are using the internet for their own benefit, such as racing with each other to collect downloads of popular songs and movies.
The internet has also allowed North Koreans to communicate with people outside of their country. It has enabled North Koreans to access information from the outside world and take part in online conversations with citizens from other countries, thus connecting them to the global community.
Although internet access is severely restricted in North Korea, it is clear that it has had an impact on North Korean society and the way it communicates with the rest of the world. Despite the government’s efforts to control this practice, the internet has provided North Koreans with a way to stay connected to the outside world, and to gain access to information and resources that would otherwise have been inaccessible.
Concluding Thoughts
The internet, although significantly restricted in North Korea, has had a positive and negative impact on North Korean society. On one hand, North Koreans are able to gain access to resources and information that they may not have had access to before. On the other hand, they have also had to endure large censorship of the internet, as well as manipulative efforts by the state to control their online activities.
What websites are allowed in North Korea? is a question that can be answered in part by understanding the digital divide between North Korea and the rest of the world and the government’s attempts to control the internet. It is clear that North Koreans are deprived of the same amount of access to the internet as citizens of many other countries.
Although the internet is heavily restricted in North Korea, it has, over time, had an impact on North Korean society. Internet access has enabled North Koreans to gain access to resources and communicate with people outside of their country, thus connecting them to the global community.
