Unboxing the Arirang 182 – A North Korean Feature Phone
2025-08-31 • NKInternet •
https://nkinternet.com/2025/08/31/unboxing-the-arirang-182-a-north-korean-feature-phone/
NK Internet examined an Arirang 182 North Korean feature phone, a rugged IP68-rated handset with a 2.4-inch display, removable battery/SIM compartment, and domestic support references such as the 999 subscription number. The device could be switched to English, but internet access was unavailable even with a SIM card installed, and its settings included a certificate manager that may be populated when activated inside North Korea. Bluetooth testing showed photos could be sent from the Arirang 182 to another phone, but attempts to send photos back to the Arirang repeatedly failed. That behavior is notable because it resembles media-ingress restrictions previously observed on DPRK Android phones, suggesting the device may support broader state controls on outside content.