North Korea is set to host another cryptocurrency and blockchain conference, Journalists won’t be allowed

Kim Jong-un-ruled North Korea has announced plans to hold a cryptocurrency and blockchain conference in April 2019. The conference will be an international summit gathering experts from the cryptocurrency industry across the globe. This announced conference comes on the heels of a same conference took place in August this year.

The cryptocurrency and blockchain conference will take place in North Korea's capital city Pyongyang. According to pro-DPRK Korean Friendship Association, the international experts on the DLT technology and virtual currency will spend two days at Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang. They will share their knowledge and vision, establish connections and discuss business opportunities. The experts' tour will last from April 18 to 25.

A promotional website gives the details of the conference including the application deadline. People wishing to participate will have to pay $3,800 (€3,300). Although the main summit is slated to take place on April 22 and 23, the attendees will be provided a trip to the city of Kaesong and a visit to Panmunjom in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. They will also visit Juche Tower, Kim Il-sung Square and Korean War Museum during their trip.

In the last few months, Kim Jong-un and his government is documenting their continuous interest on cryptocurrency and blockchain. During the starting of this year, reports swirled up that North Korean hackers are hijacking computers to mine cryptocurrency as the regime in Pyongyang broadens its hunt for cash quite critical global sanctions. Even a cybersecurity company named AlienVault first discovered a cryptocurrency mining software Monero and continued sending the crypto to a server at Kim II Sung University situated in the capital city.

Several reports also claim that North Korea's effort in exploring the possibility of using the digital assets is a strategy to dodge some of the sanctions imposed on the country by the US. However, the government has strictly asked the journalists to stay away from the upcoming conference based on cryptocurrency and blockchain. It's not surprising as North Korea is known for press restriction, a common policy in the majority of the events hosted by its regime.