INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage caption
North Korea has touted its latest technological advancements with much fanfare
North Korea often flaunts its military hardware but of late, it appears to be making progress in developing civilian
technologies - or at least is claiming to be.As with most things in the country, it is difficult to verify these claims, but it is
significant to note the importance being given to technology.In recent months, state media have publicly celebrated various achievements in
advanced technologies, including an "intelligent home system".Beyond the purpose of propaganda, emphasis on the sector reflects North
Korea's desire to harness technology to improve its economy - a key goal for Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un.Growing tech prowessOne of the
latest tech ventures is a new wi-fi service called Mirae, which enables mobile devices to access a state-sanctioned intranet network in the
capital, Pyongyang.State-run Korean Central Television on 8 November showed an Arirang 171 smartphone being used to access Mirae during an
"Exhibition of IT Successes".Image copyrightKCTVImage caption
A SIM card is required to access the Mirae wi-fi service
The US-based monitoring website 38North noted that this was the first time an outdoor wi-fi service had been mentioned in
North Korean media, and that it runs alongside two cellular networks operating in the country that provide wireless data service.Another
device shown at the exhibition was an "intelligence home system" which recognises human voice to automatically operate electronic
instruments such as fans, air conditioners, televisions and lights.This system was developed by the Kim Il-sung University, which seems to
be at the forefront of the country's high-tech endeavours.DPRK Today, a propaganda website, reported on 21 November that researchers from
the university had developed a number of advanced artificial intelligence systems, including a Korean-language voice recognition
programme.Image copyrightKCNAImage caption
State media say 800 'technology achievements' were on display at the
exhibition
An article in ruling Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun on 2 November said that The Intelligent Technology
establishment of the artificial intelligence technology industry in the country".Martyn Williams, who runs the respected North Korea Tech
blog, told TheIndianSubcontinent Monitoring that the services cited in the country's media "are real and do appear to be in use by people
in Pyongyang at least"."North Korea does have talented software and system engineers so a lot of the software highlighted in reports is real
and written inside the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name]."'Fourth Industrial Revolution'The
driving force behind the technology investments seems to be restructuring of the economy and boosting "national power".Image
copyrightKCNAImage caption
Kim has called for a 'revolutionary turn' in science and education
During a
ruling party meeting in April, Kim Jong-un said science and education should "serve as groundwork for state building and an important index
of national strength" and put forth a policy that "a revolutionary turn should be made in the work of science and education", according to
the official KCNA news agency.As part of efforts to nurture a scientific community, North Korea has offered incentives to scientists and
engineers in the form of "lavish" apartments and other privileges.The broader focus on science and technology has begun to appear in North
Korean state media and propaganda outlets extensively.In an unusual move, Rodong Sinmun carried an article on 29 October by Ri Ki-song, a
professor at the Institute of Economy at the Academy of Social Sciences, in which he said that the North Korean economy should transition to
a high-tech "knowledge-based economy".Specifically, he proposed developing information technology, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and other
cutting-edge science and technologies to world-class levels.A "special article" in the same paper on 8 December said the North Korean
economy is "developing in a more innovative direction than ever before in the past" and will "give priority to localisation and development
of science and technology in developing its economy"."Well aware that the introduction of high value-added industries would speed up
economic development, the North appears to have embarked on its own fourth industrial revolution," Lim Eul-chul, a professor at South
Korea's Kyungnam University, was quoted as saying by South Korea's Yonhap news agency on 21 November.'Tough balancing act'So is North
Korea on its way to becoming an innovation powerhouseIt is not known for its technological advancements - unlike its Southern neighbour - so
some degree of scepticism is warranted."North Korea does not have much strength in advanced manufacturing, so the phones and computers that
are often paraded as domestic are from China," Mr Williams notes.Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage caption
Internet
access is restricted in North Korea with only approved content allowed
In May 2018, Trend Micro, a Japan-based anti-virus
company, said that the North Koreans had illegally copied its intellectual property or source code for its SiliVaccine tool.Last year, the
North Korean media used Apple's trademark "iPad" name to refer to a locally-developed tablet, which was dubbed as the "Ryonghung
IPad"."From direct copycat products to loose imitations, to the now blatant use of internationally famous trademarked names like the 'iPad,'
the North Korean tech world is filled with examples of knockoffs of foreign made products," a report in NK News website noted in 2017.The
limitations on North Korea's pursuits extend beyond a supposed lack of technological ingenuity.A report released by Seoul's Korea
Development Bank in 2017 noted that North Korea's artificial intelligence industry is "expected to hit a wall, due to its strained
"some countries or companies still might want to avoid business with North Korea because it could hurt their image".But he believes major
investments could be possible from South Korean companies, "with government encouragement".In fact, a group of senior North Korean officials
visited Pangyo Techno Valley, a technology hub in the South, on 15 November to learn about autonomous cars, 3D printing, artificial
intelligence and gaming technology.Another potential hurdle could be North Korea's own "paranoia" over the spread of information, which
could stifle any innovation."The North Korean government's best hope is a slow opening up that satisfies people's thirst for information
and a better life while retaining control of the country
A tough balancing act indeed," says Mr Williams.
