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Bill would expand U.S. support for foreign media aimed at DPRK
A bill that would strengthen and modernize U.S. support of international media aimed at North Korea was introduced into the U.S. Congress on Wednesday. House Resolution 4051 (H.R.4051) is being proposed as an amendment to the North Korea Human Rights Act of 2004 and expands that bill’s support of shortwave radio broadcasts to include newer means of information dissemination…
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Orascom has ‘lost control’ of Koryolink
Orascom Telecom and Media Technology (OTMT) says it has effectively lost control of Cheo Technology, the North Korean joint venture cellular operator that uses the Koryolink brand-name and has around 3 million subscribers. The dramatic statement was contained in the company’s latest financial report, which also said that OTMT would no longer be treated as a…
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Koryolink said to have 3 million subscriptions
North Korean cellular operator Koryolink has 3 million subscriptions, according to a report from Reuters. The figure was provided by a Koryolink staffer to Reuters correspondent James Pearson, who was in Pyongyang last week to cover the 70th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. No more details were provided, which is run-of-the-mill for Koryolink. Orascom…
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Orascom’s no closer to getting its cash from North Korea
Egypt’s Orascom Telecom Media and Technology (OTMT) has reported no significant progress in talks with the North Korean government over two big issues it faces in the country. In its second quarter financial results, Orascom says it’s still trying to figure out how to get its cash out of the country and a possible merger of…
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KCNA Japan site isn’t down, it’s geo-blocked
Sometime in early July, the long-time Japan-based site carrying Korean Central News Agency stories became inaccessible. That was bad news because it carried an archive of KCNA stories going back 18 years and each story had a unique URL, which made it perfect to hyperlinking back to previous articles (There are many KCNA links on North…
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KCNA parody Twitter account claims another victim
It’s happened again … and it won’t be the last time. The parody DPRK News Service Twitter account has fooled someone and made it onto national television in the U.S. The subject in question was a couple of computer problems that hit United Airlines and the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday morning. The United…
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New cellular carrier is run by local ISP, says source
The new cellular carrier run by the North Korean government to compete with Koryolink is being run by a local Internet service provider, according to a source in Pyongyang. The ISP, called Byol (?) or Star, is targeting the wireless service at North Koreans. Star currently offers wired Internet connections to foreigners in Pyongyang at a…
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A peek inside North Korea’s intranet
Not much is known about North Korea’s intranet — the Internet-like system that links up libraries, universities and other organizations throughout the country but goes no further than the country’s borders. Few foreigners get a chance to access it and delve into the websites and services it offers, but thanks to sharp-eyed Aram Pan and his DPRK360…
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Rodong Sinmun website gets a facelift
The design of the website of North Korea’s main daily newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, was refreshed on Monday. The new site has fewer pictures on the front page and leads with a list of stories. And being North Korean, features detailing the work of Kim Jong Un receive top billing.The site’s most useful feature, the…
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Koryolink faces big problems with cash, competition
Orascom Telecom, the majority owner of North Korean cellular network Koryolink, is facing major problems getting its money out of North Korea and now has new competition from its partner, the government, in the form of a rival cellular network. The new network was recently launched in competition with Koryolink and the two parties are currently discussing merging the…
