YouTuber navigates North Korea’s internet, discovers limitations
Eric Parker encounters severe online restrictions in North Korea
A man ventured online in North Korea and was taken aback by what he encountered. North Korea is notorious for its stringent control over the information available to its citizens. Unrestricted internet access could pose significant challenges in regulating information flow.
To manage this, North Korea imposes tight restrictions on what its population can access online. Beyond content control, the country is likely wary of the potential for cyber attacks. Allowing access to Western websites could increase vulnerability, providing strategic and political reasons for strict internet regulation.
YouTuber Eric Parker discovered these controls first-hand when he accessed the North Korean internet. He had to install a North Korean operating system on his laptop to get online. Western browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari are incompatible with this segment of the internet.
In his video, Parker said: “Connecting the North Korean OS, Red Star to the internet to surf the net, Kim Jong Un style.” Upon logging in, he found four selectable locations: North Korea, Russia, Tokyo, and Osaka, notably excluding China. He observed that the browser’s design resembled an older version of Mac’s interface.
Connecting North Korea's Operating System to the Internet? https://t.co/IzCvZD5yEH via @YouTube
— Kamaljeet Singh (@kamal120483) September 5, 2024
“They’ve done a really good job with the theming here,” Parker commented. One viewer noted the similarity, stating: “I find it interesting that they themed it after MacOS. There’s no real reason that would be necessary, but they still spent the time to do it. They must really like the look haha.”
However, the restrictions were evident. Parker couldn’t access websites like Google and YouTube, including his own channel. Ambiguous error messages appeared when he tried to visit them. Viewers shared their reactions, with one saying: “Imagine if they find out that someone is using their OS on the other side of the planet.”
Another joked: “Imagine if when you opened Google, the browser said ‘Kim Jong Un wants to know your location’.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What did Eric Parker do to access the North Korean internet?
He installed a North Korean operating system on his laptop.
Which locations could Eric Parker choose when logging in?
North Korea, Russia, Tokyo, and Osaka.
How did the North Korean browser look according to Parker?
It resembled an older version of MacOS.
Could Parker access western websites like Google or YouTube?
No, he encountered ambiguous error messages.
Why does North Korea control internet access so strictly?
To control information flow and reduce vulnerability to cyber attacks.
