In today’s world, most of us use the internet every day. But in North Korea, things are very different. Many places in the country don’t have internet, and it’s not easy to get devices for it due to various obstacles, like licenses.
Unlike other countries, North Korea’s internet is not connected globally. Some government institutions, schools, and certain offices had internet access, but now only special citizens are allowed to use it. Rural areas have no internet access at all. North Korea’s internal internet works differently, with restrictions on accessing information. It seems designed to prevent people from knowing too much about internal affairs.
The government controls internal and information systems easily due to this setup. There is a government agency called Vision that manages this network, and websites highlight positive qualities of the country’s leader. While there are platforms like Netflix, they require a set-top box for access, and only a few people and organizations can use the real internet connected to the global system.
Access to the real internet is limited to certain individuals like the head of state, his family, elite society members, and military leaders. The number of people with real internet access is likely very small, maybe a few thousand. They can access all the information on the international platform. Broadband internet is not available to everyone; only specific institutions and individuals may have access.
Some online portals offer important government news updates and press releases. Those involved in technology research and hacking might have access to the real internet. Visitors to the country for travel purposes can get real internet access through mobile operators, but it’s not easily accessible or affordable for the general population. Only those visiting the country can use it.
