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WIPO tech exports didn’t violate rules finds UN committee
A United Nations committee has concluded the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) technical assistance program didn’t violate U.N. Security Council resolutions. In question were exports of computer equipment by WIPO intended to help North Korea upgrade its patent office IT system. The exports were first reported by Fox News Channel in April, which published internal…
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KCTV’s evening news gets an update
North Korea’s main evening news bulletin has gotten a visual refresh. The TV program, which ranks as one of the government’s most important tools in information dissemination — both domestically and internationally — has had a few minor updates over the last year but the most recent refresh is perhaps the biggest. The paintings that…
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How satellite helped open up North Korea’s airspace
Back in 1998 the International Air Transport Association (IATA) improved its network connection into North Korea by linking the country’s air traffic control system via satellite. The link, via Asiasat 2, was outlined in a presentation that was sent to me soon after. I hadn’t been able to find it for years, but just located a…
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One IP address for all of PUST
One of the revelations from a recent interview conducted by Reuters with Park Chan-mo, co-founder of the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST), is that the entire university connects to the Internet through a single IP address. IP (Internet Protocol) addresses are the numeric addresses that computers use to route data traffic on the…
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South Korean Defense Ministry steps up DPRK broadcasts
A radio station believed to be operated by South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense has strengthened its radio broadcasts to North Korea, according to reports from radio monitors in Japan. MND Radio added extra shortwave frequencies from August 9 in an apparent attempt to get around the DPRK’s heavy jamming of its signal. The current…
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DPRK are new baddies in Hollywood movie remake
Imagine, you’re midway through shooting a movie in which China invades the U.S. and all that stands in its way of national domination is a small group of teens. You might think that sentence sums up your biggest problem, but you’re wrong. Portions of the script and photos from the set have been leaked in…
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North Korea shows off another tablet PC
North Korea has a new tablet computer and it’s a hit with students, according to a report from the state-run KCNA news agency on Wednesday. The new gadget is the latest in a string of tablet PCs reported by KCNA as being developed, manufactured and available in the DPRK, although the device is almost certainly…
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Pyongyang to get Olympic TV coverage
The Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union has agreed to supply North Korea with live TV coverage of the 2012 Olympic games. The agreement was reached during a meeting in Pyongyang between Kim In-Kyu, president of the ABU, and representatives of Korea Central Television (조선중앙텔레비죤). Kim went to Pyongyang specifically to work out a relay for Olympic TV…
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ABU set to negotiate Olympic TV deal for North Korea
The ability of North Koreans to watch their athletes compete at the 2012 Olympics looks set to be decided this week, just in time for the opening of the games. A official from the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), an organization of major broadcasters in the Asia Pacific, is due to travel to Pyongyang to discuss…
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US House committee to probe DPRK tech exports
The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee says it will investigate export of computer systems to North Korea by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The equipment was supplied to help North Korea’s national patent office update its computer system and gain access to international patent data. WIPO also reportedly sent computer gear to Iran. “The revelation that…
