The DPRK applied for the .kpInternetcountry codetop-level domain (
ccTLD) in 2004.
ICANN, however, refused because the DPRK did not meet some of the requirements.[specify] 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 .kp to the DPRK.[3]
Previously, the .kp domain was managed by the
Korea Computer Center (KCC) Europe. A large number of .kp websites were also hosted by KCC Europe in
Germany. However, in 2011, management was transferred to the
Pyongyang-based Star Joint Venture.[5]
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.
ac.kp : Academy institutes
aca.kp : Academic and research institutes
co.kp : Generally commercial organizations
com.kp : Generally commercial organizations and sometimes government information agencies as well
con.kp : Construction
edu.kp : Institutions of higher education
law.kp : Legal firms
hia.kp :
inf.kp : Information sites
org.kp : Industrial associations, civil organizations, and public funds
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
Existing and externally accessible domain list
As of 2017[update], at least nine second-level domains are active under the .kptop-level domain[6] and around 30 domains in total are accessible to the global Internet. These are as follows:[7][needs update?]
Bold indicates a dedicated article on the website itself.