Bizarre Facts About Life In North Korea

A seven-decade rule

The Kim family has ruled North Korea for 70+ years under dictatorship, with Kim Jong Un leading since 2011.

Northkorea Cover

North Korean calendar

The Juche calendar in North Korea starts on April 15, 1912, which is the birthday of Kim Il-sung, the country's founder. This means that they follow time different from the rest of the world.

Kim Il Sung Portrait Jesse Charlie, Wikimedia Commons

Isolated from the rest of the world

North Korea is one of the most isolated nations in the world, with limited trade, diplomatic relations, and strict surveillance of its citizens.

North Korea's cheering squad Leonard Zhukovsky, Shutterstock

Limited internet access

Access to the internet in North Korea is highly limited. Most citizens cannot go online; only government-approved websites are accessible.

Pyongyang North Korea Uwe Brodrecht, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

The Intranet

The government controls "Kwangmyong," a limited network with only 28 websites mainly for propaganda.

North Korean youth mastering computer literacy Truba7113, Shutterstock

Buying a laptop

Getting computers in North Korea is expensive and difficult as government authorization is required before purchase.

flag of North Korea , computer GagoDesign, Shutterstock

A big focus on the military

North Korea has a strong military presence. It boasts one of the world's largest armies, consisting of approximately 1.2 million active military members.

North Korean People's Army Soldiers TSGT JAMES MOSSMAN, Wikimedia Commons

Images of a luxurious life

Life is not all dreary in North Korea. some luxuries like skiing at a resort and rollerblading are current trends among wealthy North Koreans, with a rise in sports and leisure since Kim Jong-Un's rule in 2011.

Boys ride rollerblades in North Korea FrentaN, Shutterstock

Media manipulation

North Korea's government strictly controls all media, prohibiting citizens from accessing foreign news sources.

North Korea cameramen Astrelok, Shutterstock

North Korean television

North Korea's government controls only three TV channels, and the state-run KCNA spreads propaganda through them. TVs are also preprogrammed to government channels.

Open-air television in Pyongyang Uwe Brodrecht, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

No K-Pop allowed

North Korea warns against South Korean culture like clothing, movies, and music. Kim Jong-un blames K-Pop for having a negative influence on youth. Public executions have been carried out for citizens caught watching K-pop.

K-pop LGjeonja, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Music is limited

Kim Jong-un banned unauthorized songs on cassette tapes and CDs in 2015 to prevent rebellion. Only state-approved songs supporting political values are allowed.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un Alexander Khitrov, Shutterstock

Even haircuts are controlled

Government-approved hairstyles for women are limited to 15 options, with single women mandated to have short hair. Men also have 15 hairstyle choices but risk arrest if they try something different.

North Korea Women Haircut Mario Micklisch, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

A local volcano could erupt

Increased activity at Mount Paektu has sparked a global initiative to explore its inner workings. A thousand years ago, the volcano erupted violently, with ash reaching Japan. Today, not much is known about the volcano.

Mt. Paekdu, North Korea Laika, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Blatant disregard for human rights

North Korea is rife with human rights violations, including political prisons, forced labor, torture, and limited freedoms.

Industry Hamhung, North Korea Joseph Ferris III, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Three Generations of Punishment

In North Korea, accused political dissidents' families suffer under the "Three Generations of Punishment" policy. If one member is convicted, parents, children, and grandchildren could also be imprisoned or sent to labor camps.

farmers in North Korea Pvince73, Shutterstock

An impoverished nation

North Korea is one of the poorest countries globally, with a centrally controlled economy and limited trade, causing poverty.

North Korea poor village Pvince73, Shutterstock

Kim's portraits

Portraits of leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il must be displayed in every household. Regular checks are done to ensure the portraits are well-maintained. During a fire, you must save the portraits first before any family.

Portraits Of Kim Il-Sung And Kim Jong-Il (stephan), CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Pyongyang is a beautiful city

Pyongyang, North Korea's largest city, is filled with picturesque sights, from pastel-covered buildings by a coursing river to many historic sights.

Pyongyang aerial view Uri Tours (uritours.com), CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

The tallest building is a hotel

The Ryugyong Hotel, known as "the hotel of doom," stands as the tallest unoccupied building globally in Pyongyang. The 105-floor building with a rotating restaurant remains non-operational.

Ryugyong Hotel Roman Harak, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Arc de Triomphe dupe

North Korea's Arc de Triomphe replica was built in 1982 to honor Korean resistance against Japan during 1925-1945. It is the world's second tallest triumphal arch after Mexico's Monumento a la Revolución.

North Korea, Arch of Triumph tuzla, Shutterstock

The world's largest stadium

Constructed in 1989 and renovated in 2014, the May Day Stadium has a capacity for 150,000 individuals. The design was inspired by the shape of a magnolia flower.

May Day Stadium, North Korea Saeschie Wagner, Shutterstock

North Korean basketball

North Korean basketball is segregated and has unique rules. Kim Jong-un disapproves of the original style and changed it. Slam dunks count as three points and last-minute field goals are worth eight points.

North Korean basketball esfera, Shutterstock

Girls control the traffic on roads

Traffic control in Pyongyang is done by uniformed "traffic girls" using coordinated gestures instead of traffic lights.

Traffic control in Pyongyang Laika, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Jobs as traffic girls are highly desired

Being a traffic girl is a coveted job for women. Candidates are chosen for being tall and attractive. There is even a website dedicated to female traffic directors in Pyongyang, the capital.

traffic controller girl North Korea Truba7113, Shutterstock

Intricate subways

After the government opened all 17 subway stops to tourists, it became clear that Pyongyang had a more extensive underground transit system than previously thought.

Pyongyang Metro Station Roman Bansen, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

The underground is also a bomb shelter

Pyongyang's subway is 360 feet deep, among world's deepest. Stations double as bomb shelters, with strong blast door-secured hallways.

Pyongyang Metro calflier001, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Blue jeans prohibition

Blue jeans are strictly banned in North Korea. According to some sources, they are considered symbols of American capitalism.

Pyongyang, North Korea people on street Oleg Znamenskiy, Shutterstock

Permission to travel

North Korean citizens need government permission to travel abroad, while foreign tourists are closely monitored and restricted.

Pyongyang North Korea, tourists Chintung Lee, Shutterstock

Love for nuclear

North Korea has an extensive nuclear weapons program. The government has conducted tests despite sanctions and faced international repercussions.

Military parade in Pyongyang, 2015 featuring soldiers with CBRN equipment Uwe Brodrecht, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Food rationing

In North Korea, food shortages persist, managed through the Public Distribution System. Monthly supplies, like rice and corn, are provided to residents, but malnutrition is widespread, especially in rural areas.

restaurant in Pyongyang Oleg Znamenskiy, Shutterstock

Foreign aid is necessary

North Korea relies on foreign aid for food due to poverty, leading to widespread malnutrition and health problems.

North Korea people sorting grains of maize Saeschie Wagner, Shutterstock