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A Look at the Sujongchon 5010 Smartwatch
With competition in the smartphone space, North Korean enterprises have started branching off into related areas such as smartwatches. One of the first to do so was Sujongchon Technology Exchange Company (수정천기술교류사), which launched the Sujongchon 5010. The smartwatch debuted around December 2024 and was on display at the Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair in…
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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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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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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,…
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A Nascent Fintech Industry Appears in Pyongyang
Electronic payments appear to be gaining popularity in North Korea, thanks to the spread of smartphones, pressure from the state, and an increasingly competitive market for smartphone apps. Several competing electronic payment wallets are in operation in Pyongyang and, to a lesser extent, across the country, according to an examination of recent North Korean smartphones,…
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North Korea’s Smartphone Market Expands as Border Restrictions End
The variety of smartphones available in North Korea has more than doubled in the last two years, and at least 10 companies are now fighting for the attention of consumers. Some companies have even started following the marketing strategies of overseas competitors by offering multiple versions at different price points, giving consumers more choice than…
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Twenty Years of Mobile Communications in North Korea
Two decades ago this month, North Koreans in Pyongyang and Rason were the first in the nation to get a taste of cellular telephony. In a country where landline phones were still the exception rather than the rule, mobile communications had the potential to revolutionize the way people communicate. Data from recent interviews with North…
