South Korea’s internet history South Korea started research on networks in 1979. In 1982 at Korea Institute of Science and Technology Korea’s first computer network SDN or System Development Network research and development started. Dr. Kilnam Chon requested a computer network because he needed a network that has memo exchange, program exchange, computer resource sharing, database connection, system testing, computer system development, and task acquisition in a network environment. He chose UNIX OS because it had portability which can be installed in any system. Also, UNIX had kernel source code available for the public. This gave them an adequate environment to change design and function.
Korea started to construct TCP/IP because it had a routing function which allows transfer of data packets from one device to another. To implement the routing function they chose UNET software by 3Com company. To experiment with Korea's first distant computer communication they set up KIET70 in the city of Gumi and SNUCOM in Seoul National University. So four graduate students started learning concepts of the UNIX system and read manuals to be familiar with the UNIX directory and account. On May 1982. The first communication between two computers was successful. Both computers had Unix version 7 as an OS. They were able to send an email successfully using an email application. So this was the first use of the internet in South Korea because it used TCP/IP protocol and also used email and file transfer applications to transfer data. In 1986 Korea’s SDN was connected to the American internet NSFNET and SDN connected to be a basis of the Korean internet.
Initial computer network’s connection was unreliable so major topic in the 80s was maintaining connection between computers. In 1984 Korea, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, and Singapore’s internet researchers agreed to form AsiaNet. In 1985, Korea hosted the Pacific Computer Communication Symposium where network researchers came to discuss network technology and to agree on international networks. In 1987, AsiaNet was born. This AsiaNet is Asia continents regional researcher network. In 1989 the United States’ NSF and five Asian nations formed PACCOM (PAcific Computer COMmunications). Korea was connected to Hawaii University via satellite.
As Korea’s internet expanded nationwide, various network protocols were used. Also OSI protocol was considered during this time. In July 1983, Korean university KAIST and Hewlett packard Labs first exchanged email and news using an international network called UUCP. In December 1984, Korean universities were connected to CSNET which is a network for connecting universities and research labs in the United States.
In July 1986, Korea received an internet domain and registered the “.kr” country domain (ccTLD). In 1989 December Korea’s SDN formed the HANA consortium to connect to international networks. In 1993 Korea formed KRNIC which is a network information management organization. In 1993 Korean university KAIST started Korea’s first world wide web. By 1994 Korea started commercial internet service using its indigenous technology. In 1995 the Korean government started a high speed internet masterplan. So the first commercial ADSL high speed internet started in 1999 by Hanaro Communications company.
Citations Ahn. J.B. hangug-inteones-ui-yeogsa-doedol-aboneun-20segi [A History-of-Korean-Internet-Retrospective-20th-Century] Blotteranmedia TTA Journal 143ho_5-3-1 [A Korean Internet History and Standards] Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology