-
·
Robot expo opens in Pyongyang
The “National Exhibition of Sci-Tech Achievements in the Field of Robot” (전국로보트부문 과학기술성과전시회) opened at the Sci-Tech Center in Pyongyang on Tuesday, according to state media. The event appears to be a new one, having no mention previously under this name, but is the latest in a string of exhibitions of sci-tech achievements. Some have…
-
·
Moranbong motion-based video games system
North Korea appears to have developed its own version of the Nintendo Wii. The Moranbong games console comes with a couple of motion-sensitive controllers and a sensor bar that includes a camera. It was briefly detailed by the state-run Arirang Meari website on Monday with a few small images of the device. Through the console,…
-
·
Chinese high-tech products on show in Pyongyang
A new exhibition of Chinese high-tech products opened in Pyongyang on Monday, according to state media. The “International High-Tech Product Trade Fair” appears to be a new event having not been mentioned in state media under that name in previous years. The event is apparently being held in part to mark the 70th anniversary of…
-
·
Drone images used in state media coverage of missile test
When North Korean media reported on the August 24 launch of missiles it included something we hadn’t seen before: drone photos. Until now all photos of North Korean launches have been taken at ground level but this time among the package released by KCNA were several taken from the air. And in images of Kim…
-
·
Telephone bill payment by Jongsong Card
North Koreans can now pay their fixed-line telephone bills with the “Jongsong” (전성) payment card, state-run DPRK Today reports. Payments are made by dialing 136 on a telephone and connecting to a payment settlement service. The Jongsong card has been around since at least 2017. In January of that year it was profiled by the…
-
·
Kim Chaek University ranks 8th in international programming contest
Students from Kim Chaek University of Technology have finished in 8th position in the International Collegiate Programming Contest. The annual event pits students from the world’s top universities against each other writing computer programs to solve problems. It’s one of the few international events that North Korea takes part in and is a general guide to…
-
·
A closer look at North Korea’s Manbang IPTV box
It has been two and a half years since North Korean TV showcased a new IP streaming television service called “Manbang” (만방). Since then, it occasionally appears in state media but it’s still largely a mystery. The Manbang service is quite impressive in that it mirrors the comprehensive live and on-demand services offered by many…
-
·
North Korea’s newest smartphone might be made in China
Update: The Chinese electronics company identified in this report has subsequently confirmed they are producing this on behalf of Phurunhanul Electronics. North Korea’s Phurunhanul Electronics (푸른하늘), one of the country’s leading consumer electronics brand, has launched a new smartphone, the Phurunhanul H1. The phone was apparently developed by the company after examining existing phones on the domestic…
-
·
North Korea’s anti-virus software contains Trend Micro code, say researchers
SiliVaccine, a North Korean anti-virus application for Windows, includes elements of code lifted from an anti-virus engine produced by Japan’s Trend Micro, according to a detailed analysis of the software by researchers at computer security company Check Point. The software also deliberately fails to alert the user if a specific piece of malware is detected and…
-
·
Kim Jong Un tries out virtual reality
Kim Jong Un experienced a virtual reality demonstration as part of his recent visit to Beijing. In a photo issued by North Korea’s state media, the leader and his wife are seen each seated with VR headsets on. No other information about the demonstration was offered, but it appears to be a simulation of a…
