AfterDawn: News

Foreigners can now bring their mobile phones into North Korea

According to new reports, foreigners visiting North Korea can now bring their own mobile phones into the country.

The news comes via Koryolink, the company that operates the 3G phone network in the nation.



"We have tried hard to negotiate with the Korean security side, and got the approval recently," said the source. "It has nothing to do with the Google trip."

The Google trip in reference is chairman Eric Schmidt's recent visit to the nation in which he told officials they needed to embrace Internet freedom before they could truly develop. As he said at the time: "Once the Internet starts, citizens in a country can certainly build on top of it. The government has to do something. It has to make it possible for people to use the Internet which the government in North Korea has not yet done."

North Korea has a restrictive Intranet that only allows a few hundred people access.

To use your phone (if you are a foreigner) you must provide your IMEI with North Korea's customs agency.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 21 Jan 2013 11:18

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• 4 comments

• DXR88

  if i was a foreigner, id be packing a satellite phone.
  

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  23.1.2013 04:39 #1

• aldan

  if i was a foreigner i wouldnt be in north korea.
  

  24.1.2013 00:03 #2

• JST1946

  They will probably confiscate it once you get it in the country or take the batteries out of it so it doesn't work.
  

  20 Year U.S.Army Veteran.Vietnam 1969-1972 101st Abn.Div.

  24.1.2013 00:10 #3

• attar

  While your there, tourists should try to take in the daily demonstration in the capital of the crack, Peoples Synchronized Farting Drill Team.
  You'll enjoy the festive atmosphere as the lads go through their paces.
  
  
  
  

  24.1.2013 10:47 #4