Websites Blocked in North Korea

Web access is available in North Korea, although it is only granted with special permission. It is mostly used by the government as well as by foreigners. The country has some infrastructure for broadband, including fibre-optic connections connecting important institutions. Most individuals and institutions receive online services via a free domestic-only network known as Kwangmyong, with access to the global Internet restricted to a much smaller number.

In this article, we will look into the list of websites not allowed in North Korea by the North Korean Government and the reasons for their ban.

Internet Censorship in North Korea

North Korea’s internet censorship is among the strictest in the world. The government tightly controls access to the Internet, limiting it primarily to select government officials, researchers, and a small number of elites. Ordinary citizens have extremely limited or no access to the global internet. Reasons for website blocking include:

• The administration aims to restrict the flow of information to restrict access to content considered rebellious or dangerous to its authority. This includes restricting access to news websites, social media platforms, and any content that challenges government propaganda.
• Internet censorship helps to ensure a stable regime by restricting the spread of opposing viewpoints and ideologies that may threaten the government’s power.
• By limiting access to the global internet, the government hopes to isolate the population from outside influences, particularly those who support democratic values or human rights.

List of Websites Blocked in North Korea

The North Korean government maintains strict limitations on access to information sources within North Korea, expanding its jurisdiction to include several websites and applications. Apps and websites are frequently banned depending on the user’s willingness to cooperate with North Korean authorities. Here is a list of North Korea’s blocked websites.

Category	Websites
Social Media	Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, LinkedIn (restricted local version), Quora, Tumblr, Clubhouse, Badoo, Tinder
Search Engines	Google, Ask.com, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, Various foreign versions of Baidu
Messaging/Communication	WhatsApp, Messenger, Viber, Telegram, Line, Periscope, KaKao Talk, Discord, Clubhouse
Blogging Platforms	WordPress.com, Blogspot, Blogger, Medium
Image Sharing	Picasa, Flickr
Audio Sharing	SoundCloud
Video Sharing	YouTube (although not specifically listed, YouTube is generally inaccessible in North Korea)
Messaging/Communication	Google Hangouts, Hootsuite, Disqus
News	The New York Times, The Financial Times, The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Reuters, The Washington Post, The South China Morning Post, The Independent, The Daily Mail, LeMonde, L’Equipe, Google News
Information Resources	Wikipedia (Many pages), Wikileaks
Other	Github (although primarily a code repository platform, it is commonly used for collaboration and sharing projects)

Methods of Website Blocking in North Korea

The North Korean government uses various methods to block the internet:

• Whitelisting: Only a limited number of websites approved by the government are accessible within North Korea. These typically include state-controlled news outlets and propaganda websites.
• Blacklisting: Access to specific websites considered undesirable or threatening to the government is blocked. This includes social media platforms, international news websites, and websites promoting democracy or human rights.
• Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): The government monitors internet traffic using DPI technology to identify and block prohibited content in real-time.
• Surveillance: Citizens who are granted internet access are closely monitored, and any attempts to access restricted content can result in severe punishment, including imprisonment.

Service Providers and Access in North Korea

Internet access in North Korea is provided by Star Joint Venture Co., a joint venture between the North Korean government and Thailand-based Loxley Pacific.

• Prior to Star JV, internet access was only available via satellite links to Germany or direct connections with China Unicom.
• Foreigners have been able to access the internet since February 2013.
• Permission to access the Internet remains tightly restricted, but the IT industry is growing and internet access is gradually increasing within North Korea.
• In October 2010, the Korean Central News Agency’s website went live from a web server hosted in North Korea, marking the country’s first known direct connection to the Internet.
• As of December 2014, 1,024 IP addresses were known to exist in North Korea, with the total number of Internet users estimated at no more than a few thousand.
• Access to the global Internet is limited to high-ranking officials, members of NGOs, and government ambassadors.
• Access to the internet is monitored in North Korea’s academic institutions, with access limited to retrieving scientific and technical information.
• The government’s isolation policies have limited knowledge about the electronics industry in North Korea.
• In April 2016, North Korea began to block Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and South Korean websites due to concerns about the spread of online information.
• In September 2017, Russian telecommunication company TransTeleCom established direct Internet connection to North Korea, causing China Unicom to no longer be the sole provider of Internet access.
• In December 2023, North Korea planned to move from its current 3G network to a 4G network.

IP Address Ranges in North Korea

North Korea has four IPv4 subnets as of February 2023. These are all identified as “Ryugyong-dong” and are announced by AS131279. The subnets consist of:

• 175.45.176.0/24 (175.45.176.0–255)
• 175.45.177.0/24 (175.45.177.0-255)
• 175.45.178.0/24 (175.45.178.0–255)
• 175.45.179.0/24 (175.45.179.0–255)

Why is Social Media Banned in North Korea?

Social media is banned in North Korea primarily due to the government’s desire to maintain strict control over information and communication within the country. Here are some major reasons why social media is banned in North Korea:

1. Control of Information: The North Korean government tightly regulates all forms of media, including social media, to prevent the spread of information that could threaten its authority or contradict state propaganda.
2. Censorship and Propaganda: Social media platforms provide avenues for free expression and sharing of diverse viewpoints, which the North Korean government views as a threat to its propaganda efforts and control over public opinion.
3. Prevention of Outside Influence: Social media allows access to information and communication with individuals outside of North Korea, potentially exposing citizens to outside influences and ideologies that contradict the government’s teachings.
4. National Security Concerns: The government perceives social media as a potential security threat, as it could be used by opposers or foreign actors to organize protests, spread anti-government messages, or gather intelligence.
5. Technological Limitations: North Korea’s limited internet infrastructure and technological capabilities make it difficult for the government to effectively monitor and control social media platforms, leading to an outright ban as a means of exerting control over online activities.

Impact of Restricted Internet Access in North Korea

Restricted internet access can have various consequences, especially in a society where access to information and communication is limited. Here are some of the major impacts:

• Restricted internet access limits people’s ability to access global news, educational resources, and diverse perspectives.
• Censorship silences opposing opinions and restricts free expression, causing self-censorship and fear of expressing oneself online.
• Businesses face barriers to accessing global markets and utilizing online tools, hampering innovation and economic growth.
• Limited access to social media and communication platforms can contribute to social isolation and hinder connections with others.
• Internet censorship allows governments to control information flow, influence public opinion, and maintain political stability at the expense of individual freedoms.
• Limited exposure to new concepts and technologies discourages originality and creativity when it comes to online resources.
• Censorship raises human rights concerns, including violations of freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information.
• The gap between those who have access to information technology and those who do not is increased by restricted internet access.
• Some individuals may attempt to bypass censorship using VPNs or encrypted apps, but these efforts are not accessible to everyone and come with risks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, North Korea’s administration maintains strict control over information and communication within the country, which appears in the extensive blocking of websites. The regime’s goals in limiting access to several websites, such as social media sites, news sources, and foreign resources, are to maintain its power, suppress opposition, and protect citizens from outside influences. This censorship shows how difficult it is to navigate the digital world under an authoritarian government and has major consequences for North Korea’s societal growth, freedom of expression, and information access.

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FAQs on Websites Blocked in North Korea

Is Internet banned in North Korea?

North Korea does not typically have access to the internet. Access to the worldwide internet is limited to a select group of senior executives. The only intranet that other citizens may access is Kwangmyong, the country’s national network.

Is YouTube banned in North Korea?

YouTube was blocked in North Korea due to the country’s Internet rules and accessibility. It has been completely blocked since April 2016, and the North Korean government has warned that anyone who attempts to access it would face punishment.

Is Instagram allowed in North Korea?

No, Instagram and other social media apps are illegal in North Korea.

Why are BTS banned in North Korea?

The Supreme Leader of North Korea and leader of the Workers’ Party of Korea has expressed concern about the cozy, contagious music produced by bands such as BTS, which he states is ‘corrupting’ his country’s youth.

Is it Safe to Visit North Korean Websites?

Accessing websites from North Korea can be extremely dangerous. These websites are controlled by the North Korean government and may contain malicious content or be used for surveillance purposes. Additionally, accessing such websites may inadvertently violate international sanctions or laws depending on your location.

Is TV banned in North Korea?

The Korean Central Broadcasting Committee controls North Korean television, which is managed by the Workers’ Party of Korea’s Propaganda and Agitation Department. A 2017 research found that 98% of homes owned a television.

Can North Korea use Snapchat?

The Snapchat app is banned in China, Cuba, Iran, and North Korea, so if you live in or visit these countries, you will be unable to use it. The software is also banned at several schools, including in the United States.

Is VPN banned in North Korea?

VPNs are not legal in North Korea. The North Korean government strictly controls all internet access and has imposed major censorship measures. Citizens can only access the heavily restricted national intranet known as Kwangmyong.

Is Facebook ban in North Korea?

Viewing Facebook has been a crime in North Korea since 2016 and is subject to punishment. Facebook is still banned in North Korea.

Does North Korea have 4G?

North Korean officials have completed the building of 4G cell towers in some sections of the country, with the objective of completing more than 80% of the planned towers by 2025. 4G services are currently available in Pyongyang’s key districts.

Is Google available in North Korea?

Internet access is not widely available in North Korea. Only a few high-level officials are permitted to access the worldwide internet. Most institutions supply a modest number of strictly supervised computers.