North Korea applied for just two international patents from the World Intellectual Property Organization this year, the Washington-based Radio Free Asia reported on Wednesday.

The WIPO said that the North applied in April for a patent on cast-iron welding rods. But it did not disclose what the other was for.

The reclusive state made three applications for international patents in 2007, seven in 2008 and four last year. It did not apply in 2009.

Experts said that the low number of applications indicate that North Korea is still not well aware of the importance of patents or its intellectual properties.

The North gained WIPO membership in 1974 and joined the organization’s Patent Cooperation Treaty in 1980.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)