The North Korea Straggler
North Korean is widely known for their lack of liberation. They have some of the strictest government control in the world as far as media, freedom of speech, telecommunications, and several human rights in general.
A major problem in North Korea that has also been a concern to me (and a reason why I prefer to stay away), is the ban on cellular devices. Often times, when people visited North Korea their phones were confiscated upon entry. Although several phone lines are installed across North Korea technically they were only made available to government officials which, in my opinion, is a typical government practice.
In recent years, the country has began to allow more people own own mobile devices. Although there is still a pretty strict process to obtain it, I guess its better that they are moving forward than standing still. Although 3G capability is available for mobile devices, the functionality is rather restricted, not allowing North Korean citizens to the Internet. It was not until the early 2000s that any sort of Internet access was granted to non-government persons. Even with that, citizens of the country do not have access to the Internet we know, and the public intranet that they are forced to use is heavily censored.
Last month, North Korea made the decision to allow tourist and visitors 3G services. Although they are a decade or so late, I guess it's better late than never. Present day, North Korea (only one month later), visitors find that they no longer have the 3G service that they were once granted.
My first problem with this is that there was no notification that this was about to occur. Visitors and tourist all of a sudden do not have access to Internet over the 3G network? Insane. I am not sure is this is a technical difficulty, or if North Korea has simply decided to pull the plug. Based on the dictatorship-like government I would not be surprised if Korean officials simply made the decision to end the service.
My next problem is that North Korea is clearly not thinking in a smart way. If they expect to prosper, do business, or attract any form of wealth, they need to get with the program. Its one thing apply these strict laws to citizens, but it is ass backwards of them to try to pull everyone else into their 20th century way of living.
I'm just saying...
A major problem in North Korea that has also been a concern to me (and a reason why I prefer to stay away), is the ban on cellular devices. Often times, when people visited North Korea their phones were confiscated upon entry. Although several phone lines are installed across North Korea technically they were only made available to government officials which, in my opinion, is a typical government practice.
In recent years, the country has began to allow more people own own mobile devices. Although there is still a pretty strict process to obtain it, I guess its better that they are moving forward than standing still. Although 3G capability is available for mobile devices, the functionality is rather restricted, not allowing North Korean citizens to the Internet. It was not until the early 2000s that any sort of Internet access was granted to non-government persons. Even with that, citizens of the country do not have access to the Internet we know, and the public intranet that they are forced to use is heavily censored.
Last month, North Korea made the decision to allow tourist and visitors 3G services. Although they are a decade or so late, I guess it's better late than never. Present day, North Korea (only one month later), visitors find that they no longer have the 3G service that they were once granted.
My first problem with this is that there was no notification that this was about to occur. Visitors and tourist all of a sudden do not have access to Internet over the 3G network? Insane. I am not sure is this is a technical difficulty, or if North Korea has simply decided to pull the plug. Based on the dictatorship-like government I would not be surprised if Korean officials simply made the decision to end the service.
My next problem is that North Korea is clearly not thinking in a smart way. If they expect to prosper, do business, or attract any form of wealth, they need to get with the program. Its one thing apply these strict laws to citizens, but it is ass backwards of them to try to pull everyone else into their 20th century way of living.
I'm just saying...
Comments
Post a Comment