.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
As of 2012 there remain relatively few websites in the .kp domain. As internet access within North Korea is very limited, .kp websites are mostly target foreign audiences. A few of the websites in this domain are:
- The official North Korean governmental portal Naenara at: http://www.naenara.com.kp
- The website of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries at: http://www.friend.com.kp
- The website of the Korea Education Fund at: http://www.koredufund.org.kp
- The website of the Korean Central News Agency at: http://www.kcna.kp
- The website of the Korea Elderly Care Fund at: http://www.korelcfund.org.kp
- The website of the digital edition of the Rodong Sinmun newspaper at: http://www.rodong.rep.kp
- The website of the shortwave station Voice of Korea at: http://www.vok.rep.kp
- The website of the Korea Sports Fund at: http://www.ksf.com.kp
- The website of Air Koryo, a North Korean flying service, at: http://www.airkoryo.com.kp
- The website of the Pyongyang Film Festival at: http://www.korfilm.com.kp
- The website of the Pyongyang Broadcasting Station at: http://www.gnu.rep.kp
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 of the .kp domain has been transferred to the Pyongyang-based Star Joint Venture.[2] Most .kp websites (such as all of those listed above) are also now hosted within North Korea.
Internet in North Korea
North Korea has no private Internet service providers.
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." [3]
Access is rare and limited; Reporters Without Borders once described the nation as "the world’s worst Internet black hole"[4] as "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." [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]
See also
References
- ^ "Preliminary Report for Special Meeting of the ICANN Board of Directors". 11 September 2007.
- ^ ".kp domain assigned to Star JV". North Korea Tech. 3 May 2011.
- ^ "North Korea's Kim Jong Il: I'm an Internet Expert". FoxNews.com. 5 October 2007.
- ^ "13 worst enemies of the Internet : North Korea". Reporters sans frontières. Archived from the original on 27 April 2008.
{{cite web}}:|archive-date=/|archive-url=timestamp mismatch; 27 May 2008 suggested (help) - ^ "The Internet Under Surveillance: North Korea". Reporters sans frontières. Archived from the original on 25 August 2003.
- ^ "North Korea opens up Internet for national anniversary". ComputerWorld. 9 October 2010.