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Web Hosting Companies in North Korea

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North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is one of the world’s most isolated countries, with highly restricted internet access and limited connectivity to the global web. The majority of the country’s population has access only to a domestic intranet called Kwangmyong, which hosts limited websites and services. Foreign websites are largely inaccessible within North Korea, with exceptions only for select government entities and foreigners. Consequently, the web hosting landscape in North Korea is highly controlled, with services limited to government-approved entities or foreign companies operating under strict supervision.

Country Facts

North Korea’s internet infrastructure and web hosting ecosystem are vastly different from those in other countries due to stringent government control over digital content and access. Below are some basic facts about North Korea relevant to its web hosting landscape:

  • Currency: North Korean Won (KPW)
  • Official Language: Korean
  • Local Domain TLD: .kp
  • Population: Approximately 25 million
  • Number of Internet Users: A very small, controlled subset, estimated at fewer than 10,000 with internet access, mainly restricted to the elite and select organizations

Local Web Hosting Companies in North Korea

Due to the state-controlled nature of the internet and hosting services in North Korea, web hosting providers are either government-operated or government-approved organizations, with very limited options available. Any private or foreign entities that wish to host within North Korea must obtain specific permissions and adhere to strict content guidelines. Below are some notable hosting providers operating within North Korea.

1. Star Joint Venture Company

Overview

Star Joint Venture Company is the primary internet service provider (ISP) and web hosting service in North Korea, formed as a collaboration between North Korea and Thailand. The company provides internet services for government-approved organizations, international embassies, and select foreign businesses within North Korea.

Types of Hosting Available

  • Dedicated Hosting: Primarily for government and state-controlled websites, embassies, and permitted foreign entities.
  • Intranet Hosting: Services to host websites and applications on Kwangmyong, North Korea’s domestic network.
  • Corporate Hosting: Specific hosting for foreign businesses and embassies operating within Pyongyang.

Starting Prices

Note: Pricing information is not publicly available and may vary significantly based on negotiations and agreements with the government. Pricing in USD is generally negotiated directly with the provider, based on service type and bandwidth requirements.

Website URL: www.star.co.kp (accessible only within North Korea or through government-permitted channels)

2. KCC (Korea Computer Center)

Overview

Korea Computer Center (KCC) is North Korea’s leading IT research and development organization, overseeing much of the country’s technology infrastructure, including hosting. KCC provides hosting services specifically for domestic purposes, serving state organizations, educational institutions, and intranet sites within North Korea.

Types of Hosting Available

  • Government Hosting: Reserved for state-owned websites and content distribution.
  • Educational Hosting: Hosting services for academic websites, research institutions, and approved educational content.
  • Enterprise Hosting: Specialized hosting for select foreign enterprises under strict regulatory supervision.

Starting Prices

Pricing details are not disclosed publicly and are determined on a case-by-case basis, often through direct negotiation between the client and KCC. Services are likely priced in foreign currency, primarily USD.

Website URL: www.kcc.co.kp (accessible within North Korea)

Requirements for Registering a Local Domain (.kp)

The .kp domain is North Korea’s country-specific top-level domain, and its registration process is highly controlled by the government, allowing only select individuals and organizations to register domains.

  • Eligibility: Only government organizations, embassies, and approved foreign businesses are eligible to register a .kp domain. Individual registrations by citizens or foreign visitors are not permitted.
  • Documentation: Applicants must provide government approval and, in the case of foreign entities, specific authorization from the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications.
  • Registration Process: Managed by the Star Joint Venture Company under government oversight, with domains typically allocated to websites serving governmental, diplomatic, or officially sanctioned purposes.
  • Availability: The number of .kp domains is extremely limited, with only government-controlled or foreign-approved entities eligible for domain names.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Web Hosting in North Korea

Advantages

  • Government-Endorsed Infrastructure: Hosting with North Korean providers ensures direct support and compliance with local regulations. It provides access to the domestic intranet (Kwangmyong) and allows government organizations to reach local citizens more easily.
  • Strict Data Security: North Korea enforces strict control over data storage and access, which minimizes external threats to information. The limited access also means fewer risks associated with cyber-attacks from outside the country.
  • Localized Content Accessibility: Hosting within North Korea ensures websites are accessible via Kwangmyong, the domestic network. This accessibility benefits government organizations and state-run services that need to communicate with the North Korean population.

Disadvantages

  • Severe Access Limitations: Hosting within North Korea restricts access primarily to those within the country, with only a select few able to access the broader internet. This isolation limits international communication and outreach capabilities.
  • Strict Government Regulation and Censorship: Hosting in North Korea requires compliance with intense government oversight and censorship policies, which restrict content to government-approved material only. For foreign businesses, this means tight restrictions on published content.
  • Limited Hosting Options: Due to the absence of a competitive market, the hosting infrastructure and service quality are limited. Options such as shared hosting, scalable cloud hosting, and customizable hosting plans are unavailable, making North Korean hosting highly inflexible.
  • Minimal Global Connectivity: With only a few international internet access points, the connectivity quality is low, limiting bandwidth, uptime reliability, and server performance for foreign traffic.

Hosting in North Korea remains exclusively accessible to approved entities with limited infrastructure and extensive regulations. While this allows certain government and foreign organizations to operate within North Korea, it poses significant limitations on content, accessibility, and service flexibility, highlighting the unique challenges of hosting in one of the world’s most restricted digital environments.

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