When it comes to digital North Korea, often referred to as the world’s worst in terms of e-government, the challenges are glaringly obvious. The nation’s isolation, restricted access to the global internet, and limited information infrastructure are significant barriers to digital transformation. However, there’s more to the story when you look at the efforts being made internally.
Despite, what most people may think, the government is committed toward digital transformation. This commitment has been evident in workforce development initiatives… especially investments in both education and telecommunications infrastructure. For instance, the state is heavily focused on enhancing STEM education opportunities.
Also…the construction of public telecommunications infrastructure, such as broadband and public Wi-Fi, signals the state’s foresight and willingness to invest in public works. These investments aren’t just about immediate benefits; they’re about laying the groundwork for future growth and development. This kind of strategic planning, while still nascent, shows a willingness to move towards a more digitally integrated society despite the overwhelming external and internal limitations.
Where does North Korea rank in international reports?
I think North Korea’s position in the latest UN e-government survey, where it falls into the
- Low TII (Telecommunication Infrastructure Index) and
- High HCI (Human Capital Index) categories
- in the low OSI (Online Service Index) group,
which tells us a lot about the country’s current digital progress. These scores mean that while the country has relatively strong human capital, its telecommunication infrastructure is lagging behind, and its online services are quite limited.
Interestingly, between 2020 and 2022, North Korea made noticeable progress, moving up to higher levels in the E-Government Development Index (EGDI). This improvement suggests some positive developments in the country’s digital capabilities, possibly through targeted investments or policy changes aimed at enhancing e-governance. Yet, it remains one of the countries with the lowest EGDI scores in Asia, alongside Yemen and Afghanistan.
According to the UN’s E-Government Knowledgebase, North Korea ranked 180th in e-governance and 186th in e-participation out of 193 countries assessed. Despite these low rankings, the country has shown some progress, improving its position by 7 places in e-governance and 3 places in e-participation. This shows a modest but noteworthy effort to enhance digital governance and citizen engagement. So…while progress is slow, there is a clear trajectory towards better e-government services.
One notable development is that the North Korean government has quietly lifted some of its most restrictive measures over cyberspace. This shift reflects a recognition that information technologies can enhance information sharing and productivity across government agencies, and also serve as a barrier against foreign influences. However, internet access remains extremely limited, with only about 2,000 of North Korea’s elite military officers and diplomats reportedly granted access to external communications.
These changes (albeit small) hint at a cautious opening up within the digital sphere.
Connectivity in North Korea
When we look at global internet connectivity, North Korea stands out as a stark outlier. As of now, it’s the only country where internet access remains below 10%. Actually, analysis suggests that fewer than 10,000 people in North Korea can access international websites. This tiny group likely includes foreign expatriates and the country’s political elite. So, more than 99.9% of the population remained offline at the start of 2024.
For context, internet access is blocked for everyday citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. This means over 26 million people in the reclusive North Asian state are without online access. It’s quite staggering when you think about it.
Interestingly, though, there’s some movement in mobile connectivity. Data from GSMA Intelligence shows that there were 7.51 million cellular mobile connections in North Korea at the start of 2024. This figure indicates that mobile connections were equivalent to 28.7% of the total population in January 2024. It’s a modest number, but it tells us that mobile phones are slowly finding their way into the hands of more North Koreans.
In fact, the number of mobile connections in North Korea increased by 206 thousand (+2.8%) between the start of 2023 and the start of 2024. This increase, although small, suggests a gradual shift. Mobile technology is becoming more prevalent, even though under strict state control.
Final thoughts
While internet access in North Korea remains virtually nonexistent for the vast majority of its citizens, there’s a slow rise in mobile connectivity and digitalisation efforts. It’s a complex situation, deeply intertwined with the country’s political dynamics and isolationist policies. I find it fascinating, yet troubling, how digital access—or the lack thereof—can shape the lives and opportunities of an entire nation.
Sources:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/27160576?read-now=1&seq=23
https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2024-north-korea?rq=korea
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Documents/DDD/ddd_PRK.pdf
