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Manmulsang (Korean: 만물상) is a North Korean e-commerce website. The name "Manmulsang" can be directly translated into "shop with ten thousand items." It provides commercial services that can be used via the national computer network and mobile communications.[1]
Native name | 만물상 |
|---|---|
| Available in | Korean |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Nangnang-guyŏk, Pyongyang |
| Country of origin | North Korea |
| Area served | North Korea |
| Owner | Yeonpung Commercial Information Tech Company |
| Founder(s) | Park Hyok |
| URL | http://www.manmulsang.com.kp/index.php/manmulsang?lang=en |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Required |
| Users | ≈40,000 (2017) |
It is an online shopping platform for North Korean businesspersons in which they can upload information about products and directly exchange opinions with buyers. It also provides economic information that can be helpful for people. Website developers borrowed overall user interface design from Microsoft’s Windows 8 and the search bar from Naver. It is mostly aimed at PC users.[2][3]
History
editThe exact date on which the website was launched is not known. The website could have been launched in October 2015 or January 2016.[2][4]
Yeonpung Commercial Information Tech Company launched Manmulsang for only business-to-business customers at that time. Manmulsang provided payment and transportation services as well as a card payment system. Naenara also reported that it has a mobile application as well.[5][6]
In December 2016, the site has had over 3.2 million accumulated visits since its launch. The site had 15,719 registered intranet users and 442 registered mobile users. The total number of visitors using the intranet was 3,188,324, with 110,127 accessing it through mobile. As many as 300 companies are reportedly registered on the site.[7]
It is believed that the mobile application was launched in November 2016.[8]
In 2017, Choson Sinbo reported that Manmulsang is offering delivery to all parts of the country. Manmulsang emerged as one of the most successful local sites in e-commerce with the number of subscribers reaching 40,000 and the number of daily visitors reaching 50,000 on average.[9]
As of April 2018, there were over 39,000 items available for purchase on Manmulsang. It was also reported that the site had more than 60,000 daily visits.[10]
In 2019, Rodong Sinmun reported that the site launched new features such as an online flight ticket booking service. It also said that the site is used widely.[11][12] The site has been accessed 21.6 million times as of 2019.[13]
On 4 July 2023, a KCTV program revealed that Manmulsang is selling self-branded smartphones as well. It showed the brand name on the back of a smartphone model, with a circular rear camera cluster and biometric scanner.[14]
In December 2023, Manmulsang required its users to have their own electronic certificates when making digital payments. This new method aims to enhance security and verify the authenticity of users.[15]
References
edit- ^ Ahn, J. H. (2016-11-23). "North Korea launches online hub for B2B product sales". NK News. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ a b "Entrepreneurs in North Korea? Not as rare as you would think". The Economic Times. 2018-06-16. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ "Electronic Payment Systems in N. Korea". world.kbs.co.kr. Archived from the original on 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
- ^ "E-commerce in DPRK Gets Expansive". Explore DPRK. 2021-10-24. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ "New E-Commerce Website 'Manmulsang' Launched". North Korean Economy Watch. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ "Entrepreneurs in North Korea Aren't as Rare as You'd Think". Bloomberg.com. 2018-06-14. Archived from the original on 2018-06-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ Myong-song, Kim (November 27, 2018). "N.Koreans Embrace Online Shopping". The Chosun Ilbo. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ Ahn, J. H. (2016-12-01). "Over 3.2 million visits to North Korean online shopping platform: photo". NK News. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ "North Korean e-commerce site now offering nationwide delivery services". NK News. 2017-12-04. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ "E-commerce in N. Korea". world.kbs.co.kr. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ "N. Korea's newspaper boasts of mobile shopping". Yonhap News Agency. 2019-01-29. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ Zwirko, Colin (2019-01-28). "N. Korean online shop Manmulsang gets boost with promotion in Rodong Sinmun". NK News. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ Zwirko, Colin (2019-02-14). "Mobile traffic to N. Korean online shop up 14 million since June 2017: DPRK Today". NK News. Archived from the original on 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ Zwirko, Colin (2023-07-13). "North Korea reveals new smartphones, as Kim Jong Un uses likely Chinese model". NK News. Archived from the original on 2023-09-30. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
- ^ Hui, Mun Dong (2023-12-01). "N. Koreans must use electronic certificates to make digital payments". Daily NK English. Archived from the original on 2023-12-03. Retrieved 2024-01-03.