In a first: North Korean Smartphone

North Korea, has unveiled what it says is a domestically-produced smartphone. 

North Korea has many problems, including restricted Internet access. The North Korean government has worked hard to keep smartphone technology out of the hands of its people; North Koreans have had to illegally import technology from China if they wished to own a smartphone. Now, North Korea will release its own smartphone, created for the North Korean people. This smartphone called the AS1201 Arirang, after a folk song, is designed to be more accessible, because of both affordability and government approval.

The Korean Central News Agency (which is state run) reports that the device will be in high demand, but a press release with specifications has not been released. For all the regime's efforts, the information barrier erected around North Korea has, in recent years, begun to lose some of its prophylactic power. Smuggled Chinese mobile phones allow people near the border to connect with Chinese servers and make international calls, while re-wired TVs allow access to outside broadcasting. The KCNA report on Kim's factory visit noted that the young leader praised the "Arirang's" developers for coming up with a product that "provides the best convenience to the users while strictly guaranteeing security".

Though the device is claimed to have been built with “indigenous technology,” the photos clearly show it running a stock build of Android.  It also looks like their reports that the device is being built inside a North Korean factory may be false, as the factory Kim Jong Un visited showed no signs of manufacturing. It is speculated that the devices come from China and are just packaged in that factory. Whatever it is , it will be the first North Korea smartphone. Let us all just appriciate the work :)