.kp

.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 [edit]

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 those targeting a foreign audience. 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 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 [edit]

North Korea has no private Internet service providers.

According to former national leader Kim Jong-Il, "I'm an Internet expert too. It's alright 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]

As of 9 October 2010, access to a block of IP addresses reserved for the DPRK is now being provided by China Netcom into the DPRK and this has been used to provide uncensored access to journalists visiting for its 65th anniversary.^[6]

See also [edit]

• Communications in North Korea
• Internet censorship
• List of Korea-related topics

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• IANA .kp whois information
• ICANN 2007 announcement of a request to delegate .kp domain