Red Star OS

Prior to Red Star OS' release, computers in North Korea typically used modified versions of Microsoft Windows with North Korean language packs installed.{{citation| url=http://www.korea-np.co.jp/news/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=22248| archive-url=https://archive.today/20071223055411/http://www.korea-np.co.jp/news/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=22248| archive-date=23 December 2007| periodical=Choson Sinbo| title=〈민족정보산업의 부흥 -상-〉 《우리식 콤퓨터조작체계(OS) 》의 개발과 도입| date=21 June 2006| last=Kim| first=Chi-yong| language=ko}}{{cite news|title=North Korea's 'paranoid' computer operating system revealed|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/27/north-koreas-computer-operating-system-revealed-by-researchers|access-date=4 May 2018|work=The Guardian|date=27 December 2015|language=en}}

{{Main|Naenara (browser)}}

Red Star OS features a modified Mozilla Firefox browser called Naenara ("Our country" in Korean), which is used for browsing the Naenara web portal on North Korea's national intranet known as Kwangmyong. Naenara comes with two search engines.

Other software includes a text editor, an office suite, an e-mail client, audio and video players, a file sharing program, and video games.{{Cite web|date=20 November 2019|title=Naenara: Exploring a North Korean Computer & Internet|url=https://koryogroup.com/blog/naenara-exploring-a-north-korean-computer-internet|access-date=14 August 2021|website=Koryo Tours}}{{Cite news|last=Locker|first=Theresa|date=7 January 2015|title=You Can Now Install the Original North Korean Operating System RedStar 3.0|work=Vice News|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/you-can-now-install-the-north-korean-operating-system-redstar-30/|access-date=14 August 2021}}

Red Star OS 3 comes with a customized version of OpenOffice called Sogwang Office.{{cite AV media |url=https://media.ccc.de/v/32c3-7174-lifting_the_fog_on_red_star_os |title=Lifting the Fog on Red Star OS - A deep dive into the surveillance features of North Korea's operating system |date=28 December 2015 |author1=Florian Grunow |author2=Niklaus Schiess |work=Chaos Communication Congress 32}}

The operating system utilizes customized versions of KDE Software Compilation. Earlier versions had KDE 3-based desktops.

Version 3, like its predecessors, utilizes Wine, a compatibility layer that allows Windows programs to be run under Linux.{{Cite web|url = http://www.northkoreatech.org/2014/01/31/north-koreas-red-star-os-goes-mac/|title = North Korea's Red Star OS Goes Mac|date = 31 January 2014|access-date = 23 July 2014|website = North Korea Tech|publisher = Martyn Williams|last = Williams|first = Martyn}}

Version 3.0 closely resembles Apple's macOS, whereas previous versions more closely resembled Windows XP;{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-26047439|title=Apple's Mac OSX imitated in latest North Korea system|date=5 February 2014|work=BBC News|access-date=31 August 2017|language=en-GB}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/10619703/North-Korean-computers-get-Apple-makeover.html|title=North Korean computers get 'Apple' makeover|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=31 August 2017|language=en}} current North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was seen with an iMac on his desk in a 2013 photo, indicating a possible connection to the redesign.{{cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26047439| title=Apple's Mac OS X imitated in latest North Korea system| date=5 February 2014| publisher=BBC News}}{{cite web|title=North Korean computers get 'Apple' makeover|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/10619703/North-Korean-computers-get-Apple-makeover.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=5 February 2014 |access-date=6 February 2014}}{{cite web|title=North Korean computers get iMac makeover|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/blue-sky-north-korea-computer-resembles-an-imac-2015-6?r=US&IR=T|work=Business Insider|access-date=7 July 2022}}

The Red Star OS is only available in Korean, localized with North Korean terminology and spelling,{{citation| url=http://media.daum.net/digital/view.html?cateid=1068&newsid=20100302174815619&p=yonhap| date=3 March 2010| access-date=23 January 2013| periodical=Yonhap News| script-title=ko:北, 독자적 컴퓨터 운영체제 '붉은별' 개발| last=Nam| first=Hyeon-ho| language=ko}} although it is possible to change the language on the BIOS boot menu, or by modifying the disk image.{{Cite web |date=1 January 2015 |title=Notes on Red Star OS 3.0|url=https://messaroundery.net/2015/01/01/notes-on-red-star-os-3-0 |access-date=29 October 2024 |website=messaroundery.net |language=en}}

{{System requirements

| useminandrec = no

| align = left

| width = 24em

| platform1 = Red Star OS

| os1 =

| cpu1 = 800 MHz Intel Pentium III

{{Cite news|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3036046/what-its-like-to-use-north-koreas-red-star-os|title=A Visual Guide To North Korea's Totalitarian Operating System|date=23 September 2014|work=Fast Company|access-date=31 August 2017|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/north-koreas-red-star-os-takes-the-open-out-of-open-source/|title=North Korea's Red Star OS takes the 'open' out of 'open source'|website=Engadget|date=4 March 2010 |access-date=31 August 2017}}

| memory1 = 256 MB

| gpu1 =

| sound1 =

| network1 =

| hdspace1 = 3 GB

| media1 =

| display1 =

| input1 =

}}

{{clear|both}}

File:Red Star 1.0 Boot Screen.png

File:Red Star 1.0 Desktop - File Manager.png

The first version appeared in 2008. It is very reminiscent of the Windows XP operating system.

It featured the "Naenara" web browser, based on Mozilla Firefox, and an Office suite based on Open Office, called "Uri 2.0". Wine is also included.

One copy has been leaked online. The screenshots of the operating system were officially published by KCNA and discovered by South Korean news sites.{{cite web|author=Tong-hyung|first=Kim|date=5 April 2010|title=NK Goes for Linux-Based Operating System|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2010/04/123_63669.html|work=The Korea Times}}

File:Red Star OS 2.0 21 10 2023 20 34 26.png

The development of version 2.0 began in March 2008, and was completed on 3 June 2009. Like its predecessor, its appearance resembles Windows XP, and was priced at 2000 North Korean won (approx. US$15).

The "Naenara" web browser is also included in this version. The browser was released on 6 August 2009, as part of the operating system, and was priced at 4000 North Korean won (approx. US$28).

The operating system uses a special keyboard layout that differs greatly from the South Korean standard layout.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

File:Rootsetting_in_Red_Star_OS_3_(Linux_from_DPRK).jpg

File:Sogwang_Office_in_Red_Star_OS_3.jpg

Version 3.0 was introduced on 15 April 2012, and its appearance resembles macOS operating systems of various versions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.northkoreatech.org/2014/12/30/red-star-3-0-desktop-finally-becomes-public/|title=Red Star 3.0 Desktop finally becomes public|last=Williams|first=Martyn|date=30 December 2014|website=North Korea Tech|access-date=31 August 2017}} The new version supports both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.

The operating system comes pre-installed with a number of applications that monitor its users.

If a user tries to disable security functions, an error message will appear on the computer, or the operating system will crash and reboot.

In addition, a watermarking tool integrated into the system marks all media content with the hard drive's serial number, allowing the North Korean authorities to trace the spread of files.

The system also has hidden "antivirus" software that is capable of removing censored files that are remotely stored by the North Korean Secret Service.

There is a user group called "administrator" in the operating system. Users do not have root access by default, but are able to elevate their privileges to root by running a built-in utility called "rootsetting".

However, provisions are made in kernel modules to deny even root users access to certain files, and extensive system integrity checks are done at boot time to ensure these files have not been modified.

The operating system was leaked by Zammis Clark ("SlipStream").{{cn|date=June 2025}}

Little information is available on version 4.0.

According to The Pyongyang Times, an official version of Red Star OS 4.0 had been developed by January 2019, with full network support as well as system and service management tools.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pyongyangtimes.com.kp/pdf/2019/02/6.pdf|title=The Pyongyang Times|access-date=12 January 2019|archive-date=18 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518165456/http://www.pyongyangtimes.com.kp/pdf/2019/02/6.pdf|url-status=dead}}

In June and July 2020, South Korea's NKEconomy (NK경제) obtained a copy of Red Star OS 4.0 and have published articles about it.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nkeconomy.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=3191|title=북한 붉은별4.0에 오라클 버추얼박스를 탑재하고 있다|trans-title=Oracle Virtualbox is installed in DPRK's Red Star 4.0|publisher=NK경제 (NKEconomy)|date=15 June 2020}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nkeconomy.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=3213|title=붉은별4.0 서광 오피스에서 MS워드 파일 편집 가능하다|trans-title=Sogwang Office in Red Star 4.0 can edit Microsoft Word files|publisher=NK경제 (NKEconomy)|date=23 June 2020}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nkeconomy.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=3261|title=북한 붉은별 4.0의 기본 브라우저는? 파이어폭스|trans-title=The default web browser in Red Star 4.0 is Firefox|publisher=NK경제 (NKEconomy)|date=6 July 2020}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nkeconomy.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=3292|title=붉은별4.0의 비밀번호 관리는 키체인으로?|trans-title=Password management in Red Star 4.0 is done by keychain?|publisher=NK경제 (NKEconomy)|date=21 July 2020}}

In 2016, the computer security company Hacker House found a security vulnerability in the integrated web browser Naenara. This vulnerability makes it possible to execute commands on the computer if the user clicks on a crafted link.{{Cite web |url=https://www.myhackerhouse.com/redstar-os-3-0-remote-arbitrary-command-injection/ |title=RedStar OS 3.0: Remote Arbitrary Command Injection |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205124639/https://www.myhackerhouse.com/redstar-os-3-0-remote-arbitrary-command-injection/ |archive-date=5 December 2016 |access-date=31 August 2020}}{{Cite news|url=https://thehackernews.com/2016/12/redstar-north-korea.html|title=North Korea's Linux-based Red Star OS can be Hacked Remotely with just a Link|last=Wei|first=Wang|work=The Hacker News|access-date=31 August 2017|language=en-US}}

File:Windowing in Red Star Linux.png and Minesweeper.]]

The Japan-based North Korea-affiliated newspaper Choson Sinbo interviewed two Red Star OS programmers in June 2006. English-language technology blogs, including Engadget and OSnews, as well as South Korean wire services such as Yonhap, went on to repost the content.{{citation |last=Holwerda |first=Thom |title=North Korea Develops Its Own Linux Distribution |date=4 March 2009 |periodical=OSNews |url=http://www.osnews.com/story/22960/North_Korea_Develops_Its_Own_Linux_Distribution |access-date=23 January 2013}}{{citation |last=Flatley |first=Joseph L. |title=North Korea's Red Star OS takes the 'open' out of 'open source' |date=4 March 2009 |periodical=Engadget |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/north-koreas-red-star-os-takes-the-open-out-of-open-source/ |access-date=23 January 2013}} In late 2013, Will Scott, who was visiting the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, purchased a copy of Red Star OS 3.0 from a KCC retailer in southern Pyongyang, and uploaded screenshots of the operating system to the internet.

In 2015, two German researchers speaking at the Chaos Communication Congress described the internal operation of the OS.{{cite web |author=Jeremy Wagstaff and James Pearson |date=27 December 2015 |title=Paranoid: North Korea's computer operating system mirrors its political one |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/northkorea-computers-idUSKBN0UA0GF20151227 |work=Reuters}} The system is known to watermark all files on portable media attached to computers{{cite web |date=16 July 2015 |title=RedStar OS Watermarking |url=https://www.insinuator.net/2015/07/redstar-os-watermarking/ |work=Insinuator}} in order to aid in tracking the underground market of USB flash drives used to exchange foreign films, music and writing.{{cite web |author=James Pearson |date=27 March 2015 |title=The $50 device that symbolizes a shift in North Korea |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-change-insight-idUSKBN0MM2UZ20150327 |work=Reuters}}

{{Portal|North Korea

}}

• Internet in North Korea
• Telecommunications in North Korea

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Red Star OS}}

• {{cite web

|url=http://ashen-rus.livejournal.com/4300.html

|title=OS "Red Star" - линуксоиды всех стран, соединяйтесь!

|date=27 February 2010

|language=ru

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726050018/http://ashen-rus.livejournal.com/4300.html

|archive-date=26 July 2011

}}

• "[https://archiveos.org/redstar/ Download"]
• {{cite web

| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8604912.stm

| title=North Korean Red Star operating system details emerge

| date=6 April 2010

| publisher=BBC News}}

• {{cite web |url=https://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/economy/2010/04/03/0303000000AKR20100403065200017.HTML |title= |script-title=ko:北 컴퓨터운영체제 붉은별 첫 분석 |language=ko |date=5 April 2010}}
• [https://github.com/takeshixx/redstar-tools redstar-tools]: A tool used for analyzing the system.

{{Fedora Linux derivatives}}

{{Linux distributions}}

{{Portal bar|Free and open-source software|Linux}}

Category:2008 software

Category:Information technology in North Korea

Category:Linux distributions offering KDE desktop environment

Category:Korean-language computing

Category:Linux distributions

Category:RPM-based Linux distributions

Category:State-sponsored Linux distributions