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Country profile

North Korea age-verification & online ID laws

In effect State intranet (Kwangmyong) -- no open internet effective 2000s

Ordinary citizens have no access to the global internet, only the state-controlled Kwangmyong intranet.

Laws & bills on record

General online

In effect
Bill / statute
State intranet (Kwangmyong) -- no open internet
Status
Active law in effect
Effective
2000s (approx.)
Intrusiveness
Severe -- Criminal penalties, VPN targeting, or repeated re-checks with long data retention.

Ordinary citizens have no access to the global internet, only the state-controlled Kwangmyong intranet. Reaching the outside internet requires special authorization, is closely monitored, and unauthorized attempts carry severe punishment.

Timeline
  • Jan 1, 2002In effect
  • Jan 1, 2002Kwangmyong state intranet established as the only public network

Source: freedomhouse.org

VPN restrictions

Citizens cannot reach the global internet at all; using circumvention tools to do so carries severe punishment.

Source: freedomhouse.org

Frequently asked questions

Does North Korea require online age verification?

Yes. State intranet (Kwangmyong) -- no open internet is in effect, effective 2000s. Ordinary citizens have no access to the global internet, only the state-controlled Kwangmyong intranet.

Are VPNs restricted in North Korea?

Citizens cannot reach the global internet at all; using circumvention tools to do so carries severe punishment.

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