.kp

.kp
Introduced 2007
TLD type Country code top-level domain
Status Active
Sponsor Korea Computer Center
Intended use Entities connected with
 North Korea
Actual use Used mainly by government, very few domains in use.
Registration restrictions Must be a company, organisation, or government entity based in North Korea

.kp is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) of North Korea. It was created on September 24, 2007.[1]

Usage

Relatively few .kp domains are registered, almost exclusively by entities closely connected to the government. As internet access within North Korea is limited, most .kp websites target foreign audiences and are often available in English. Some examples include:

Previously, the .kp domain was managed by KCC Europe. A large number of .kp websites were also hosted by KCC Europe in Germany. However, as of 2012, management has been transferred to the Pyongyang-based Star Joint Venture.[2] Most .kp websites, such as those listed above, are now also hosted in North Korea.

Internet in North Korea

Access to the internet in North Korea remains rare and tightly restricted; Reporters Without Borders once described the nation as "the world’s worst Internet black hole"[3] as the "Internet officially does not exist in the world’s most isolated country, but a handful of privileged people are allowed to go online through the phone system (which is routed through China) or via satellite." [4] According to former leader Kim Jong-Il, "I'm an Internet expert too. It's all right to wire the industrial zone only, but there are many problems if other regions of the North are wired." [5]

On 9 October 2010, in conjunction with its 65th anniversary of independence, the DPRK made a block of IP addresses available for use within the country. Hosting of sites and general access was provided by China Netcom. This allowed for Net access to journalists reporting on the anniversary celebrations.[6]

As of February 2013, foreigners can access the internet using a 3G phone network installed by Orascom, but access to this network for North Korean citizens is limited to phone calls.[7][8]

Censorship of North Korean websites

South Korea has banned at least 31 sites considered sympathetic to North Korea through the use of IP blocking.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Preliminary Report for Special Meeting of the ICANN Board of Directors". 11 September 2007.
  2. ↑ ".kp domain assigned to Star JV". North Korea Tech. 3 May 2011.
  3. ↑ "13 worst enemies of the Internet : North Korea". Reporters sans frontières. Archived from the original on 27 April 2008.
  4. ↑ "The Internet Under Surveillance: North Korea". Reporters sans frontières. Archived from the original on 25 August 2003.
  5. ↑ "North Korea's Kim Jong Il: I'm an Internet Expert". FoxNews.com. 5 October 2007.
  6. ↑ "North Korea opens up Internet for national anniversary". ComputerWorld. 9 October 2010.
  7. ↑ "North Korea to offer mobile internet access". BBC. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  8. ↑ Caitlin Dewey (26 February 2013). "Instagrams from within North Korea lift the veil, but only slightly". Washington Post. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  9. ↑ Christian Oliver (1 April 2010). "Sinking underlines South Korean view of state as monster". London: Financial Times. Retrieved 2 April 2010.

External links

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