SAN FRANCISCO – As IT spreads throughout North Korean society, the number of computers and tablet PCs on offer continues to grow. While some lucky ones have western-made laptops and even iPads, a handful of customized computers have begun to appear.

They mostly come from the state-run Korea Computer Center although one is also being promoted by a foreign joint venture company.

While state-media has shown images of “production lines” at factories where the computers are said to be made, it appears that the machines are actually made overseas. They most likely come from Chinese low-cost computer makers, which have built