ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

Much has been written recently about the diplomacy of the Democratic People's republic of Korea (DPRK). Less discussion has been analyzed DPRK's effort in internet related activities and DPRK-sponsored websites. Observing DPRK's activities in this relatively new medium for international relations reveals both the emergence of North Korea's traditional, hard/soft bifurcation in foreign policy, and some interesting patterns behind the virtual structure of its information campaign. This paper evaluates DPRK actions in the context of cyber space as the "information battle space," in a struggle to both shape the perceptions of the netizen, and facilitate communication among a dispersed group of DPRK sympathizers. In doing so, this paper limits itself to the content of the websites, patterns of hosting, usage, and relationship between sites, and some resulting implications. It does not assess options for "hot"information warfare, i.e., of electronic/digital disruption, deception, denial, or destruction, or explore how the DPRK might engage (or be engaged) in such activities. It should be noted that the Internet is inherently dynamic, and this report is, despite best efforts, merely a momentary snapshot. With the press of a button, the editors of these websites could modify, delete, or add content, or dramatically change the relationship between sites (for example, by linking to an Iranian site, or by deleting all mention of DPRK-Iran diplomatic relations.) However it is only by the systemic exploration and capture of moment-to-moment relationship and content on the Internet that such change can be detected. The author hopes that this effort will inspire others to record and analyze not only the content of the DPRK's virtual information campaigns, but the changing context and information infrastructure within which it is presented. Much has been written recently about the diplomacy of the Democratic People's republic of Korea (DPRK). Less discussion has been analyzed DPRK's effort in internet related activities and DPRK-sponsored websites. Observing DPRK's activities in this relatively new medium for international relations reveals both the emergence of North Korea's traditional, hard/soft bifurcation in foreign policy, and some interesting patterns behind the virtual structure of its information campaign. This paper evaluates DPRK actions in the context of cyber space as the "information battle space," in a struggle to both shape the perceptions of the netizen, and facilitate communication among a dispersed group of DPRK sympathizers. In doing so, this paper limits itself to the content of the websites, patterns of hosting, usage, and relationship between sites, and some resulting implications. It does not assess options for "hot"information warfare, i.e., of electronic/digital disruption, deception, denial, or destruction, or explore how the DPRK might engage (or be engaged) in such activities. It should be noted that the Internet is inherently dynamic, and this report is, despite best efforts, merely a momentary snapshot. With the press of a button, the editors of these websites could modify, delete, or add content, or dramatically change the relationship between sites (for example, by linking to an Iranian site, or by deleting all mention of DPRK-Iran diplomatic relations.) However it is only by the systemic exploration and capture of moment-to-moment relationship and content on the Internet that such change can be detected. The author hopes that this effort will inspire others to record and analyze not only the content of the DPRK's virtual information campaigns, but the changing context and information infrastructure within which it is presented.

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