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North Korean Cellular Coverage in 2026
North Korea’s cellular network has continued to expand since 38 North last mapped its footprint in late 2022, but the most significant change in the last several years has been the debut of 4G service. The launch of 4G brings faster data service that enables easier use of bandwidth-intensive applications such as streaming video and…
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Libraries with no books
Kim Jong Un spent part of December opening several economic projects as part of the “20×10” initiative, which seeks to build new factories and facilities in 20 counties per year for the next ten years. The second year of the project just ended after being expanded in 2025 to include “leisure complexes.” These facilities invariably…
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North Korea Expands Satellite Distribution of Domestic TV Channels
All four of North Korea’s state-run domestic TV channels are being distributed by satellite for the first time. The new feed provides a backup to the country’s existing terrestrial distribution system and could help expand TV coverage to more regions of the country. It could also make possible direct reception of state TV with small…
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Three things to read from December 2025
This month, North Korean middle school students are learning languages from digital media players, a new method for distributing e-learning material and the evolving methods used by North Korean IT workers. This column is now available as part of the new NK TechLab monthly newsletter on Substack. Subscribe for free (you don’t need a Substack…
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North Korea’s other TV: What you don’t see on KCTV
Among the many sources used to analyze North Korea is Korean Central Television (KCTV), the main, state-run television channel. KCTV carries coverage of Kim Jong Un’s activities and key announcements and decisions from the Workers’ Party, provides updates on priority economic initiatives, and airs historical documentaries and cultural fare such as movies, children’s programming and…
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Three Things To Read from November 2025
This month, more on the impact of the closure of foreign radio broadcasts into North Korea, a technical look at the country’s Internet connections, and why marketing text messages might soon be annoying North Koreans. This column is now available as part of the new NK TechLab monthly newsletter on Substack. DailyNK: Pyongyang’s calculated silence:…
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North Korea’s first multi-channel IPTV service apparently launched
North Korea’s Manbang Supply Center (만방보급소) appears to have launched a multi-channel Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) streaming service, providing 20 channels of linear television across the country’s internal data networks. It is the first cable TV-like service in the country and represents a significant expansion in entertainment options for subscribing households. Alongside electronic payment services,…
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Inside Pyongyang’s new gaming center
Some fascinating photos of the new cyber gaming center recently toured by Kim Jong Un have been posted to X. The photos show the center, located in the new Hwasong District of Pyongyang, is packed with gaming PCs and computer games from overseas. One image shows numerous gaming stations, each apparently equipped with PCs, monitors…
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Three things to read, from October 2025
Each month, NK TechLab highlights three interesting or important articles that provide a window into the use of technology in North Korea or by the state. This month, digital grain vouchers, a report on North Korea’s cyber operations, and a North Korean feature phone. Daily NK: North Korea launches app-based digital grain voucher system to…
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A Visual Look at Smartphone Penetration in North Korea
How many North Koreans are using smartphones? It’s one of the most common questions about technology in North Korea, but it’s also one that is very difficult to answer. It used to be straightforward. After Egypt’s Orascom launched Koryolink, North Korea’s first 3G network in December 2008, it would publish detailed quarterly statistics. The data,…
