.kp

History

The DPRK applied for the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) in 2004. ICANN, however, refused because the DPRK did not meet some of the requirements. Another attempt was later made via the Korea Computer Center (KCC) Europe in 2006. The main body of KCC and the DPRK Ambassador to the United Nations petitioned ICANN again. They were refused again for providing insufficient information. A new application was sent in January 2007, and an ICANN delegation visited the country in May. This time, ICANN finally agreed to assign to the DPRK.

One of the first organizations to adopt a domain was the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in 2009.

Previously, the domain was managed by the Korea Computer Center (KCC) Europe. A large number of websites were also hosted by KCC Europe in Germany. However, in 2011, management was transferred to the Pyongyang-based Star Joint Venture.

Second-level domains

Neither the DPRK government agencies nor the central registry have published the second-level domain registration rules. However, according to the using practices shown by the currently existing and accessible DPRK domains and websites, while regarding the worldwide country code second-level domain distribution rules, the second-level domain rules in the DPRK can be interpreted as below.

• aca.kp : Academic research institutes
• com.kp : Companies
• edu.kp : Higher education institutions
• law.kp : Legal firms
• org.kp : Organizations
• gov.kp : Government departments
• rep.kp : Agencies associated with the Workers' Party of Korea
• net.kp : Internet service providers and email service providers
• sca.kp : Affiliated institutes under the Ministry of Culture

The following are externally accessible domain name examples of the use of second-level domain names:

• aca.kp : mirae.aca.kp
• com.kp : airkoryo.com.kp, knic.com.kp, friend.com.kp
• edu.kp : ryongnamsan.edu.kp, kut.edu.kp, gpsh.edu.kp
• law.kp : fia.law.kp
• org.kp : cooks.org.kp, koredufund.org.kp, kass.org.kp
• gov.kp : mfa.gov.kp, moph.gov.kp, tourismdprk.gov.kp
• rep.kp : rodong.rep.kp, vok.rep.kp, gnu.rep.kp
• net.kp : [Usually appears as the extension for email addresses published elsewhere on other DPRK websites: e.g. @star-co.net.kp]
• sca.kp : korart.sca.kp

List of domains

Active domains

, over 30 domains are active under the top-level domain. These are as follows:

Bold indicates a dedicated article on the website itself.

• airkoryo.com.kp
• cooks.org.kp
• dprknado.org.kp
• dprkportal.kp
• fia.law.kp
• friend.com.kp
• gpsh.edu.kp
• kass.org.kp
• kcna.kp
• kftrade.com.kp
• kiyctc.com.kp
• knic.com.kp
• korart.sca.kp
• korean-books.com.kp
• koreanarchitecture.gov.kp
• koredufund.org.kp
• korelcfund.org.kp
• korfilm.com.kp
• korstamp.com.kp
• kut.edu.kp
• kza.org.kp
• ma.gov.kp
• manmulsang.com.kp
• mediaryugyong.com.kp
• mfa.gov.kp
• minzu.rep.kp
• mirae.aca.kp
• moph.gov.kp
• naenara.com.kp
• pyongyangtimes.com.kp
• rodong.rep.kp
• ryomyong.edu.kp
• ryongnamsan.edu.kp
• silibank.net.kp (mail server only)
• sdprk.org.kp
• star-co.net.kp (mail server only)
• tourismdprk.gov.kp
• vok.rep.kp
• youth.rep.kp
• yongsaeng.org.kp

Some addresses are used by the North Korean Internet only, and some of them are only accessible in the Kwangmyong network, alongside regularly-used 24-bit block IPv4 private addresses.

Former domains

These domains are not included on the "dprkportal.kp" website as of 2025, but existed in the past.

• futurere.com.kp
• gnu.rep.kp
• ksf.com.kp
• masikryong.com.kp
• nta.gov.kp
• polestar.com.kp
• pulbora.edu.kp
• samhae.com.kp
• star.co.kp

Notes

References

References

1. Coldewey, Devin. (20 September 2016). "North Korea accidentally lets slip all its .KP domains — and there aren't many". TechCrunch.
2. [http://www.icann.org/minutes/prelim-report-11sep07.htm "Preliminary Report for Special Meeting of the ICANN Board of Directors"]. 11 September 2007.
3. (2010). "The Hermit Kingdom Goes Online: Information Technology, Internet Use and Communication Policy in North Korea". [[McFarland & Company.
4. Hoare, James E.. (2012). "Historical Dictionary of Democratic People's Republic of Korea". Scarecrow Press.
5. [http://www.northkoreatech.org/2011/05/03/dot-kp-domain-assigned-to-star/ ".kp domain assigned to Star JV"]. North Korea Tech. 3 May 2011.
6. "KwangYa {{!}} Sites". Ryugyong Programming Center.
7. Williams, Martyn. (13 September 2017). "North Korean cultural websites". [[North Korea Tech]].
8. Williams, Martyn. (30 December 2020). "North Korean stamps website appears".
9. Williams, Martyn. (9 August 2018). "Kim Chaek University of Technology launches Internet web site". [[North Korea Tech]].
10. (27 January 2025). "North Korean zoo launches English website in possible bid to attract tourists".
11. Williams, Martyn. (27 September 2018). "Manmusang website appears on the Internet". [[North Korea Tech]].
12. Williams, Martyn. (13 September 2017). "North Korean government and NGO websites". [[North Korea Tech]].
13. Williams, Martyn. (14 September 2017). "The Pyongyang Times has a new address". [[North Korea Tech]].
14. "KOREA MA".
15. Williams, Martyn. (19 July 2017). "North Korea's tourism agency is online". [[North Korea Tech]].
16. (2008). "Digital Review of Asia Pacific 2007/2008". IDRC.
17. (2010-11-18). "North Korea's Internet strategy and its political implications". The Pacific Review.
18. "조선료리 ''(futurere.com.kp)''".
19. (29 January 2013). "Pyongyang Broadcasting Station to launch website". [[North Korea Tech]].
20. (18 January 2024). "Farewell, Pyongyang Broadcasting?". [[38 North]].
21. "Korea Sports Fund".
22. "조선민주주의인민공화국 국가해사감독국".
23. "조선관광".
24. "조선료리 ''(polestar.com.kp)''".
25. "불보라".
26. "조선료리 ''(samhae.com.kp)''".
27. "Star".