In a move that"s sure to have the world scratching its head, the secretive nation of North Korea is the newest member of Twitter.
North Korea has begun micro-blogging under the name @uriminzok, stepping up a propaganda campaign against South Korea and the United States. The account appears to have been set up by the government-owned news agency, Uriminzokkiri, one few to offer an English-language version of its news meant to be read by foreigners.
To the disappointment of many, it"s apparently been unsuccessful thus far. According the Associated Press, "Most followers posted derisive comments in Korean."
"The Web site "Our Nation" is on Twitter," declared the account"s first post, published on August 12. In the four days since then the account has attracted more than 2300 followers. Much like the country"s life-long leader, it follows no one.
To date, the country has issued only 9 tweets. Few, if any are likely to be reading from inside North Korea. The government keeps a tight control on access to information, and only a small percentage of people are believed to have access to Internet connections that allow links to foreign websites like Twitter.
One statement dismissed accusations that a North Korean torpedo sank a South Korean warship in March. Another criticized sanctions imposed on North Korea and Iran.
North Korea is run by one of the world"s most secretive regimes, but lately it"s been embracing social media. Last month North Korea opened YouTube account, uploading video clips which praised leader Kim Jong-Il.