It has been confirmed that mobile Internet services for foreign tourists in North Korea were recently suspended, just a month or so after being launched.
An official from ‘Koryolink’, the monopoly mobile Internet service provider in North Korea, recently revealed the news to interested parties, declaring that all mobile internet provision to tourists was being stopped but that long-term residents such as diplomatic staff would still be eligible.
Hannah Barraclough of Koryo Tours told Voice of America (VOA), “About two weeks ago, I got an email from my contact at Koryolink, which is the mobile phone company there. They said that the 3G still exists, but just not for tourists.”
Koryolink, a joint venture established by the North Korean post and communications ministry and Egyptian firm Orascom, only started offering the service on the 25th of last month.
Foreign tourists had even been able to make international calls with the purchase of a SIM card, while the cost of 3G data services was known to be approximately $192 for 2GB and $513 for 10GB.
Meanwhile, mobile phones used by the North Korean people are not Internet-capable. They are only available for making calls, sending text messages and making video calls, all domestically.
