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North Korea proposes expanding work with Russian IT companies
A North Korean state IT company has approached Russia’s Information and Computer Technologies Industry Association (APKIT) proposing a greater working relationship with Russian IT companies. The country apparently wants to win business from Russian companies and the Pyongyang Kwangmyong IT Corp. held talks with APKIT in July and August, according to the APKIT. As part of those…
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First photos from Ulchi Freedom Guardian 2014
The U.S. Department of Defense has released the first photos from the 10-day Ulchi Freedom Guardian 2014 joint military exercise that has just begun in South Korea. The computer-based exercise simulates South Korean defense of a North Korean attack and, not surprisingly, have North Korea angry. The daily Rodong Sinmun wrote, “It is foolish and ridiculous…
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KCTV updates its evening news graphics
North Korea’s main evening news bulletin has a new look. Korean Central Television has updated the opening sequence of the 8pm evening news program for the first time since September 2012. The new graphics begin with a map of the world, zooming into the DPRK and then a wall of clips from the station’s news…
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“Hack North Korea” focuses Silicon Valley on information flow
A hackathon that aimed to find new ways to get information in, out and around North Korea took place over the weekend in San Francisco. The event, called “Hack North Korea,” was organized by New York-based charity Human Rights Foundation and brought together programmers, human rights campaigners and defectors. Several teams spent the weekend working on ideas…
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Who’s using North Korean airspace?
Last week I wrote about the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s regulations on U.S. carriers or aircraft using North Korean airspace. They prohibit flight in most of the skies controlled by Pyongyang but allow it — with caution — in a portion east of 132 degrees East latitude. The ban is in place because of North…
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World risks becoming “numb” to North Korean missile tests, says US admiral
The top U.S. commander in the Pacific region says he’s worried that North Korea’s continued missile tests are helping establish them as something that’s normal. Speaking during a news conference at The Pentagon on Tuesday, Admiral Sam Locklear, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, said he was concerned that the international community was becoming “numb” to them.
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North Koreans learn about China’s Beidou satellite navigation system
Engineers from North Korea and seven other nations are being given training in technology related to China’s Beidou (Compass) satellite navigation system this week, according to Chinese media reports. The engineers are attending a course in Hubei province being put on by the National Remote Sensing Center. The organization is part of China’s Ministry of Science and…
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US missile shield to cost $5.8 billion over next five years
The planned expansion of the U.S. missile defense shield to guard against potential threats from North Korea and other nations will cost $5.8 billion over the coming years, according to an estimate released this week. The estimate was made by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) in response to a question from Jeff Sessions, a Republican senator for…
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What’s going on with North Korean airspace?
The shooting down of MH17 over Ukraine has raised awareness of a series of restrictions the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has placed on aircraft operating around the world, including over North Korea. North Korean airspace extends well beyond the land borders of the country to include a large portion of the Sea of Japan (East Sea) and,…
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South Korea’s new propaganda radio station faces static
South Korea’s latest attempt to sway the minds of the North Korean people looks like a dud before it’s even begun. This month, the South Korean military begins regular programming on a new shortwave radio station aimed at the DPRK, but the selection of frequency, low transmitter power and aggressive jamming means few if anyone in the…
