Abstract

Abstract:

The information technology (IT) sector in North Korea has not developed as much as many first expected. Fears held by the current leadership essentially have obstructed development of the country’s IT industry. The absence of cyber openness for IT development is a result of the leadership’s political consideration of the negative impacts such openness would have on regime stability. This article explores the extent to which the information technology sector in North Korea has developed and why its development has not been so successful. It argues that a variety of cyberpaths for developing North Korea’s IT sector do exist. Comparing North Korea with other developing or socialist countries, including India and China, this article asserts that in order to develop an IT industry, North Korea should more closely consider the political dimensions alongside industrial development.

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