**North Korea's First Internet Users: What They're Doing**

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Post on Nov 08, 2024

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North Korea's First Internet Users: What They're Doing

North Korea, a country known for its strict isolationist policies, has taken its first tentative steps into the world of the internet. While the majority of the population remains cut off, a select group of individuals now have access to a highly controlled and censored version of the internet, known as the "Kwangmyong" network.

This raises an intriguing question: what are these first internet users actually doing online? While official information is scarce, piecing together snippets from defectors, analysts, and limited access to North Korean media sheds light on their online activities.

A Limited Window into the World

It's important to understand that the internet in North Korea is not like the open internet we know. It's a highly restricted network, isolated from the global web. The content available is strictly controlled by the government, offering a heavily curated view of the world.

Here's what we know about North Korea's internet:

• Intranet System: The "Kwangmyong" network operates as an intranet, separate from the global internet. This means access to websites outside of the network is highly limited and carefully monitored.
• Government-Controlled Content: The content available on the intranet is heavily censored and heavily promotes the regime's ideology, showcasing its successes and highlighting the supposed failures of the outside world.
• Limited Access: Only a small percentage of the population has access to the internet, primarily government officials, military personnel, and scientists involved in specific research projects.
• High Surveillance: The network is heavily monitored, with authorities tracking all online activity. Users are subject to strict rules and penalties for accessing prohibited content.

What Are They Doing Online?

Despite these limitations, North Korea's internet users engage in a range of activities, some expected and others surprising:

• Accessing State-Approved Information: Users primarily access information from state-approved websites, including news articles, government propaganda, and educational materials designed to reinforce the regime's narrative.
• Engaging in Government-Controlled Forums: Online forums, also heavily censored, allow users to participate in government-sanctioned discussions on specific topics, often focusing on praising the leadership or discussing achievements in key sectors like agriculture and industry.
• Limited Educational Resources: Some internet users access limited educational resources like online courses and research materials, primarily focused on science and technology.
• Limited Communication with the Outside World: While access to external websites is restricted, some users engage in limited communication with the outside world through official channels, such as state-controlled email services.

The Future of Internet Access in North Korea

The future of internet access in North Korea remains uncertain. While the current limited access is a reflection of the regime's control, there's speculation that the country might gradually expand access in specific areas to aid scientific research, technological development, or even to improve economic efficiency.

However, the limitations imposed on internet access remain a powerful tool for the North Korean government to control information and maintain its grip on the population. It's likely that the regime will continue to carefully manage internet access to ensure its ideology and narrative remain dominant.

Conclusion

North Korea's first internet users operate within a tightly controlled environment, offering only a glimpse into the potential future of internet access in the country. While limited access allows for a curated view of the world, the regime's control ensures that the information available remains heavily skewed towards its own agenda. The future of internet access in North Korea remains shrouded in uncertainty, a balancing act between the need for technological advancement and the desire to maintain absolute control.