The North Korea Tech Lab is a new center for investigation and analysis into how North Korea uses technology to serve and suppress its citizens.
Today, North Korea is increasingly employing technology for both the benefit and detriment of its citizens. For example, one the one hand, smartphones provide many with a way to stay in touch, stay entertained and access valuable information, but on the other open new vectors in control and surveillance by the state.
NK TechLab will consolidate and update existing research on critical areas such as North Korean smartphones, digital surveillance, information technology (IT) infrastructure, telecommunications networks, information access, and cyber-countermeasures.
We also aim to play a pivotal role in fostering innovation and collaboration through meetings, briefings, the development of cooperative projects and as an incubator for new initiatives.
NK TechLab will broaden the field of experts working on these issues and welcomes collaboration with existing teams and individuals with an interest in information freedom. If you would like to contact our team, please get in touch.
Based in Washington, D.C., NK TechLab is a joint project between the Henry L. Stimson Center’s 38 North and Lumen. It was founded in April 2025 by Martyn Williams, a leading expert who has been researching North Korea’s adoption and use of technology for over two decades.
We’re starting off with a series of posts on North Korean technology that were published on 38 North over the last few years. New projects and data will be released from Monday, June 2.