모든 사진들은 오직 김일성,김정일,김정은 Regime과 그족속들의 풍부한 삶을 위해, 희생되고 있는 2천3백만명의 피곤한 상황들이다. 많은 사진들이 우리 서방세계 사람들의 상상을 훨씬 초월해서, 발생하고있는 인민들의 일상중의 일부이다. 그나마 이렇게라도 안내자들의 눈을 순간적으로 속여서, 용감하게 사진을 찍었기에 지금 북한 내부에서 벌어지고있는 인민들의 어려운 삶의 일부라도 볼수 있어 다행이다.
http://www.directexpose.com/north-korea-photos-seen-before/41/
North Korea spends a fortune on its armed forces
It is unknown how much exactly the North Korean leader, Kim Jung-Un spends on funding the Korean People’s Army, though it is said to be quite a fortune. The North Korean army uses lasers and missiles banned in other countries and has an impressive cyber warfare unit. 누구를 위해 이렇게 많은 인민군대를 유지하는가? 그돈으로 인민들을 먹여 살린다면...
businessinsider.com
It is mandatory for every North Korean over 18 to enlist, even women. North Korea also possesses an unknown number of nuclear weapons, though according to estimates, its nuclear arsenal is limited. North Korea also possesses a large number of chemical weapons.
You need to work for your education in North Korea
Did you know that the students in North Korea are required to purchase their own chairs, desks, and heating during the winter? And if that wasn’t enough, they are also forced to work while at school to produce things for the government.
북한의 학생들은 학교에서 공부하는데 필요한 책상,걸상을 본인이 구입해야하고,겨울철 난방도
자체조달 해야 하는데,만약에 불가능할때는 방과후에 시키는데로 일을 해서 정부의 요구에 응해야
한다.여유가 있는 부모는 선생에게 뇌물을 바쳐서,중노동을 피할수있다.
자체조달 해야 하는데,만약에 불가능할때는 방과후에 시키는데로 일을 해서 정부의 요구에 응해야
한다.여유가 있는 부모는 선생에게 뇌물을 바쳐서,중노동을 피할수있다.
bloomberg.com
If the parents want their daughter to focus on her education and avoid occasional hard labor, they need to either bribe the schoolteachers or stop sending her to school altogether, forcing her to miss the single opportunity she has at an education.
Only less than 3% of their roads are paved
Without a lot of government funding, most of the roads are left unpaved. In fact, if you travel through North Korea, you will only see less than 3% of their roads finished. That is, out of the 120,538 square kilometers of roads, only about 2.83% are paved.북한의
도로는 겨우 3%만이 포장되여있을 뿐이다.
Feng Li/GettyImages
Fun fact: all the roads in North Korea (if they were finished) could circle Pluto 3.5 times. At the same time, the 450 miles of paved roads would barely make the distance from New York to Cleveland.
Bill Gates’ net worth is larger than North Korea’s GDP
Bill Gates has a net worth of about $90.2 billion as of 2017, which is four and a half times larger than North Korea’s. According to reports, North Korea’s gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to be about $17.4 billion, while United States is $16.77 trillion.
북한의 총국민생산은 174억 달러로, Bill Gates 개인소유재산 902억달러의 약 1/4밖에 안된다.
japantimes.co.jp
Though there have been several reforms over the last few decades, North Korea’s economic system is still a centrally planned one, meaning that the governmet has control over production, prices, distribution and so forth. This also means that the people of North Korea have to rely on their government to fulfill their every need.
The country was named the most corrupt in the world
This probably won’t shock you but last year, according to the Corruption Perceptions Index, North Korea is tied as the most corrupt country in the world. They were tied with Somalia with a score of 8. The rating is between 0 (highly corrupt) and 100 (very clean).
북한은 아프리카의 소말이아와 같이, 지구상에서 가장 부정부패가 심한 나라이다.
REUTERS:Jason Lee
Looking at the results as a whole, though, shows that 68% of all the countries in the world have a serious corruption problem, but North Korea definitely takes the cake. By the way, there is no perfect corrupt-free country according to the Corruption Perceptions Index.
North Korea is about the size of Pennsylvania
Looking at these pictures, you might think that North Korea is a big country but in truth, it is about the size of Pennsylvania. North Korea’s area is about 120,538 square kilometers, which is only slightly bigger than the U.S. state.북한영토는 미국의 "펜실바니아"와 비교된다.
maps.com
Unlike PA, though, only about 19.5% is suitable for growing crops. What’s more, several natural disasters that occured in the 1990s hurt the country’s agriculture severly, after being considered one of the most productive agricultural systems in the world in the 1980s.
Western citizens can’t walk by themselves in North Korea
If you decide to visit North Korea, after your visit has been approved by the party, they will assign a guide to you. To be clear, you can’t say “no thank you.” For the rest of your stay, the guides will be with you at all times and your tour will rarely leave the minivan.
북한 방문객은 혼자 구경다닐수가 없고, 항상 안내원이 밀착,같이 다녀야 한다. 휴식도 같이해야한다.
cnn.com
Photographer Michal Huniewicz explains his first step in the capital city. “We were intercepted by our guides, who we could not leave during the entire stay, and who’d tell us when to sleep and when to wake up.” Doesn’t seem like a good vacation is you feel watched all the time!
Soldiers are everywhere in North Korea
The North Korean army, named The Korean People’s Army or KPA, is one of the biggest in the world, with over 1.2 million people in active duty. It has been reported that one in every 25 North Korean citizens is an enlisted soldier.
군인들은 Ubiquitarian으로 어디에나 있고, 그들은 인민,외부에서 온 사람들을 감시한다.
kpbs.org
The largest of all KPA branches is the Ground Force, with a staggering one million personnel and an equally impressive number of weapons and fighting vehicles. North Korea’s navy is also a large one, and holds the largest number of submarines in the world.
Smoking Marijuana is legal in North Korea
According to reporters who’ve visited the country, you can both consume and purchase cannabis pretty freely and not worry about being prosecuted anywhere in North Korea. It is unknown whether there aren’t any rules against marijuana altogether, or there are rules that aren’t being enforced.
북한에서는 "마리와나"는 담배처럼 마음데로 즐길수 있다. 쥐약 먹이는 셈이다.관광객들에게도 같은 법의 잣대가 적용되는지는 알려지지 않고있다.
ibtimes.com
It is also unknown if the same rules apply for both tourists and North Korean citizens. According to an American NGO named Open Radio for North Korea, severe actions were being taken against North Koreans who consumed methamphetamines, but not against those who used marijuana or opium.
North Korean public service is tough
The below photo was taken at the Mansu Hill Grand Monument. The uniformed, hardworking girls are sweeping one of the walkways as a form of public service. Not something you would see in the U.S. that’s for sure.서방세계와 달리, 인민들,특히 학생들은
수시로 동원되여 국가공공시설의 청소작업을 해야한다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
According to North Korean refugees, the citizens of North Korea are divided into groups according to their level of loyalty to the government. Their loyalty is determined by their own behavior, their political background, their economic and social status, and the behavior of their family and relatives going back three generations.
All male citizens are forced to get a certain haircut
According to an anonymous source from Pyongyang, who contacted South Korea newspaper, Chosun Ilbo, Men in North Korea were ordered to cut their hair so it wasn’t longer than 2 centimeters. They were also told to model their hairstyles after Kim Jong Un, whose hair has been described as “ambitious.” 모든 남자들은 국가에서 정해준 머리 스타일
내에서 머리 손질을 해야한다.머리길이는 2센티미터 이내여야 한다.
listamaze.com
Women were also required to keep their hair at a bob length and model it after Kim’s wife, or choose from a selection of 14 approved styles. Married women were supposed to wear their hair short, whereas single women were allowed to wear their hair longer and curlier.
It costs $8,000 to leave North Korea
It isn’t easy to leave North Korea and you will be punished if you are caught trying to escape. There is a way to defect, but it would cost you $8,000 to do so. That will only get you to China, though and very few North Koreans would actually be able to afford it.
탈북을 원하는 인민은 $8,000달러를 바쳐야한다. 그것도 겨우 북한,중국간의 국경까지 넘겨주는 대가일 뿐인데, 대부분의 인민들은 엄두를 못낼 큰돈이다.
accessromaniaonline.wordpress.com
North Koreans who manage to make it to China are not granted refugee status, however, because of the already fragile relationship between the two countries. China regards these defectors as illegal economic migrants. Most of what we know about North Korea comes from such defectors, who provide valuable information about the secluded country.
Locals and tourists can’t shop in the same shops
Even Western tourists aren’t allowed to go where they please in North Korea. When Michal Huniewicz, the photographer who took this photo, managed to get away from his two guides for a minute, he stumbled upon a local shopping area. He was soon removed by a cop as it was for locals only.
주민들과 관광객들은 같은상점에서 같이 쇼핑을 할수없다. 이곳은 평양시내의 상점으로 주민들이 이용하는 가게이다. 미국인 관광객이 이곳으로 들어서자마자, 경찰에 의해 쫒겨났었다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
Most North Koreans rely on their government to supply them with food and housing, though there are several supermarkets and department stores available in Pyongyang. Black markets and small scale farmers markets are also available, though the government regulates them heavily.
Military truck aren’t what you think
When you picture military trucks in the United States, this is probably not the kind of truck you have in mind. Well, in North Korea, these are the vehicles that transport soldiers around. This is definitely an illegal photo to take! Any photos of military personnel would get you in serious trouble in North Korea.
군대에서 사용하는 추럭은 서방세계에서 상상하는 차량이 아닌, 민간인 소형추럭이다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
Though its trucks don’t seem to be in very good shape, the North Korean army also has several types of fighting vehicles – some 3700 tanks and 2100 infantry fighting vehicles and personnel carriers, according to reports.
You have to keep the strew ts clean
While traveling around Pyongyang, its cleanness is very noticeable. The government spends a lot of time making sure their capital city is one they would proudly show. However, the physical state of the country’s capital does not represent what life in other parts of North Korea is actually like.
평양시내를 다녀보면, 거리가 매우 깨끗하지만, 전부 인위적이라는 점을, 한시민이 한적한곳에서 감시의 눈을 피해 오줌싸고 있는것을 보면서 깊이 느끼게 된다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
Photographer Michal Huniewicz managed to capture the reality as we see this man relieving himself on the side of the road. This could have probably gotten both him and the man in serious trouble had he been caught.
Music in North Korea
North Korea’s previous leader, Kim Il-Sung, required that all music acts be ideologically correct. Jazz music was especially prohibited. His successor, Kim Jong-il, was more encouraging towards music, and allowed more western music genres to be played and enjoyed.북한의 김일성때의 모든 노래는 주체사상을 표현해야한다. 째즈음악은 절대안된다. 두번째
독재자 김정일은 서구음악을 즐겨 들었다.김정은이 창설은 모란봉악단은 전부 여성들로,김정은이가
직접 단원들을 뽑았다.
독재자 김정일은 서구음악을 즐겨 들었다.김정은이 창설은 모란봉악단은 전부 여성들로,김정은이가
직접 단원들을 뽑았다.
Reuters/Kyodo/AlJazeera.com
Pictured above is North Korean musical sensation, Moranbong Band, or Moran Hill Orchestra. The group, known as North Korea’s answer to the Spice Girls, consists of female members that were specifically chosen by current supreme leader, Kim Jong-un. The group performes in formal events and televised concerts, and is widely popular among North Koreans.
You can’t travel around the country freely
Even if you are a citizen of North Korea, you aren’t allowed to roam around the country freely. You are required to get a permit if you want to travel outside of your city/town. This is so the government can keep tabs on where everyone is.
북한에서의 이동의 자유는 없다. 꼭 통행증이 필수이다. 인민들 통제수단으로 필수다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
They are still not allowed to travel big distances in their own car—they have to take a bus or train.
There’s a “three generation of punishment” rule in North Korea
If you break the law in North Korea, you’d probably be sent to a prison or work camp, which currently hold around 200,000 prisoners. The problem is, you won’t be the only one suffering for your wrongdoings.
법을 어기면 노동수용소로 보내진다. 현재 그곳에는 약 200,000명이 수용되여,고생하고있다.
fairobserver.com
It’s common for entire families to be punished if a family member breaks the law – this means that both the grandparents, the parents and the children of the perpetrator get sent away too.
North Korea takes pride in Pyongyang
This is the capital city of Pyongyang and is the largest city in North Korea. It was destroyed during the Korean war and eventually rebuilt with Kim II-Sung’s plans.
안내자는 전쟁후에 건설된 이곳으로 관광객들을 데리고 가기를 좋아한다. 그들의 자존심이고 자랑
거리이기 때문이다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
Photographer Michael Huniewicz mentioned that his guide kept taking him to this location so clearly, it is a place of pride.
State workers work very hard in North Korea
Here we see state workers carrying some unknown object across a bridge. Looks like they don’t have access to a truck or something that could carry the heavy object or at least transport the workers to their construction site.노동자들의 노동조건은 최악이다. 모든게 몸소
몸으로 움직여야한다. 이도수단인 자동차는 꿈도 못꾼다.
몸으로 움직여야한다. 이도수단인 자동차는 꿈도 못꾼다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
Notice the brown uniforms. I guess it needs to be obvious that they work for the government.
The Pyongyang government building is very impressive
This is one of their government buildings and the pictures displayed on the front are of Kim II-Sung. The supreme leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea right now is Kim Jong-un, Kim Il-Sung’s grandson.북한정부의 건물들은 그들의 체제선전용이므로 비교적
잘 건축되있고, 전면에는 김일성,김정일의 대형 초상화가 걸려있다. 김정은이는 이다음에 걸리게
될것이다.
잘 건축되있고, 전면에는 김일성,김정일의 대형 초상화가 걸려있다. 김정은이는 이다음에 걸리게
될것이다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
Since this city is the nation’s capital, it is where all the federal government matters take place.
Public transportation is very popular
Public transportation is the most common way people commute to work and home. Not that many people have cars so the bus is a popular way of traveling. They still need a permit if they want to leave their city/town.
평양시내에서는 시내뻐스가 대중교통의 수단이다. 역시 통행증있어야 다른 도시로 여행이 허용.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
I guess taking the bus is a whole lot better than walking or biking!
North Korean architecture is basic
Except for maybe a couple of buildings/monuments, the architecture in North Korea is pretty basic and modest. Here we have blocks of flats where the people live. This is what they call their home.
아파트는 마치 감옥을 연상케 할정도로 어둡고 독특한 구조가 주를 이룬다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
They look more like prisons than places to live.
North Korean streets only look normal
Driving around the capital city, it looks like a normal populated city. Lots of people walk in the streets since there isn’t heavy traffic. While his guide drove him around, the photographer managed to get a shot of everyday life.
평양시내에는 차량이 거의 없어, 인민들은 마음데로 도로위를 걷는다. 운좋게 한컷한것이다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
“He would conveniently slow down whenever the surroundings were impressive, and speed up whenever they were less pleasant, to make them more difficult to photograph.”
25. Train station picture was staged
This was the train station in Pyongyang and it certainly was a strange sight for the photographer. His train was the only train that day, so you would expect the station to be pretty much empty, but it wasn’t. Photographer Michael Huniewicz said the station looked staged, like a theatrical performance.
평양시내의 기차역은 하루에 한번 운행된다. 그래서 거의 정거장은 빈상태일텐데 그렇지 않고
마치 극장에서 연극하는 배우들 처럼 사람들이 북적인다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
Everyone was dressed nicely and looked like model citizens going on a train ride, which struck him as very unusual.
The empty entry point
This is the entry point to North Korea where you board the train to take you there. When Michal arrived, it was pretty much deserted.북한의 관문, 기차역이다.보통의 인민들에게는
그림의 떡일뿐이라서,텅비어있는 것이다.
그림의 떡일뿐이라서,텅비어있는 것이다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
I guess traveling to North Korea isn’t a popular thing to do.
Even the Chinese are watching
North Koreans don’t have the freedom to leave the country whenever they wish. The government has watchtowers and guards everywhere to make sure that their own people don’t escape. If caught, you will be thrown in a concentration camp and you could even be put to death if you are revealed to be a traitor.북중국경감시소는 수없이 많다.탈북을 막기위해
취한조치인데, 만약에 걸리면 중노동캠프로 보내지고,최악의 경우 반역자로 찍혔을경우
죽임을 당할수도있다. 중국인에게 잡히면,남자의 경우는 북한으로 되돌려 보내고, 여성인 경우는
중국남성에게 팔려간다.
취한조치인데, 만약에 걸리면 중노동캠프로 보내지고,최악의 경우 반역자로 찍혔을경우
죽임을 당할수도있다. 중국인에게 잡히면,남자의 경우는 북한으로 되돌려 보내고, 여성인 경우는
중국남성에게 팔려간다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
If the Chinese catch you escaping, the men will be sent back and women will be sold to Chinese men.
North Korea’s vast farmlands
While traveling through the countryside of North Korea, all you are going to see is miles and miles of farmland. Here we can see rice fields being tended to by the locals.
광할한 농지가 앞에 펼쳐지고있다. 이그림에서는 벼농사 모습이다. 한국에서의 비료 원조가 끊긴후
지금은 인분을 대신 사용하고 있다고 한다.
지금은 인분을 대신 사용하고 있다고 한다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
They have to use feces to make fertilizer after South Korea cut them off.
The two leaders watch over
Now this photo of the two statues isn’t illegal as both of the statues are in the picture! The Grand Monument on Mansu Hill features two 22 meters high bronze statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, also known as father and son.만수대광장앞의 두개의 동상,22미터높이다.
김일성과 김정일동상이다. 동상뒤의 건물은 혁명박물관이다.
김일성과 김정일동상이다. 동상뒤의 건물은 혁명박물관이다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
The building behind the statues is the Korean Revolution Museum.
30. Waiting for the train to pass
The photographer is passing by the countryside of North Korea by train. Here we can see people waiting for the train to pass so they can continue on their way.기차길 건널목에서
기차가 지나기를 기다리는 인민들. 제복을 입은 건널목지킴이가 통제하고 있다.
기차가 지나기를 기다리는 인민들. 제복을 입은 건널목지킴이가 통제하고 있다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
Notice the guard making sure everything runs smoothly.
North Korean Taxis aren’t for tourists
The photographer didn’t get a chance to take one of these colorful taxis as he was always toured around in his guide’s minivan. He couldn’t anyway since the taxis are for locals only so tourists aren’t allowed to use them.참희안하다. 택시들은 외국인 관광객들은 이용권한이
없다. 명색이 오직 평양시내주민들만 권한이 허용된다. 그러나 너무도 비싸, 소수의 부자들만이 가끔
씩 사용한다니....
없다. 명색이 오직 평양시내주민들만 권한이 허용된다. 그러나 너무도 비싸, 소수의 부자들만이 가끔
씩 사용한다니....
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
Taxis, however, are actually pretty expensive so they are only used by the wealthy class.
32. You aren’t allowed to photograph certain places
You aren’t actually allowed to take pictures from the train but obviously, that didn’t stop photographer Michael Huniewicz. This is a picture of a rundown pink tower block the photographer saw through his window.미니밴을 달리면서, 창밖의 사진촬영은 일체금지다.
용감한 마이크가 슬쩍한컷한것이다.집은 텅비어있고, 그앞의 농작물 경작이 진행되고 있었다.
용감한 마이크가 슬쩍한컷한것이다.집은 텅비어있고, 그앞의 농작물 경작이 진행되고 있었다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
It looks like an abandoned community but I guess the crops are still taken care of.
North Korea and China are surprisingly close
Here we can see both North Korea (left) and China (right) as China borders North Korea on the Yalu River. As you can see, there is a big difference between the two nations.
압록강을 사이에 두고, 한쪽은 이북, 다른쪽은 중국이다. 독자들은 쉽게 알수있을 것이다.
어느쪽이 중국인지...남한국민들이 중국방문시 유일하게 볼수있는 북한의 일부이다.
어느쪽이 중국인지...남한국민들이 중국방문시 유일하게 볼수있는 북한의 일부이다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
This would be the only way South Koreans can see North Korea since they aren’t welcome.
Cars are a luxury
You don’t see very many people driving cars and trucks. It is pretty much a luxury to have one, which is why people have to walk places, bike, or use carriages.
북한에서 차를 소유하는것은 특권층정도다. 인민들은 걷거나,자전거,아니면 소달구지를 이용한다.
"교통이 막혀서 늦었습니다"라는 변명은 통할수가 없다.
"교통이 막혀서 늦었습니다"라는 변명은 통할수가 없다.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
I guess you can’t use the traffic excuse as a reason to be late for work!
Soldiers supervise your every move
This photo was taken in one of the parks in Pyongyang. The two women (and maybe a son) are street cleaners, sweeping the streets for dust and what not. The soldier standing there is required to watch them to ensure make sure the job gets done properly.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
Work is stressful enough without having a soldier constantly watching you.
North Korea also has a different calendar
The North Korean calendar, also known as Juche calendar, borrows from both traditional Korean tradition and the Gregorian calendar used in most parts of the world.
북한에서는 "주체달력"만 허용된다. 한국의 전통과 보통 세계가 사용하는 달력을 그들에 체제에
맞게 변형하여 만든 달력이다.
북한에서는 "주체달력"만 허용된다. 한국의 전통과 보통 세계가 사용하는 달력을 그들에 체제에
맞게 변형하여 만든 달력이다.
Pinterest
The Juche calendar begins in 1912, which is the birth year of North Korean leader and grandfather to current leader, Kim Il-Sung. It was adpoted in 1997, three years after the beloved leader passed away. This means that the year 2017 is “Juche 106” in North Korea.
Commuting to work
Here is a photo capturing people of Pyongyang commuting to work. The girl wearing the white shirt and red scarf must be a public servant as we saw earlier.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
They don’t look too happy going to work…
There story behind Kijong-dong (Peace Village)
Kijong-dong is a village located next to the South Korea border. It is one of the two villages permitted to be in the Korean Demilitarized Zone, that was established after the Korean war in 1953.
By Don Sutherland, U.S. Air Force – defenseimagery.mil; VIRIN: DF-ST-89-04867, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Kijong-dong is considered a ‘propaganda village’ by outsiders, meant to act as a front to intimidate the South Koreans. It is surrounded by cultivated fields and contains high-standard multi-story buildings, though many say they are only there for show and aren’t actually populated.
Constant TV propaganda
Here, a waitress is working at a restaurant but she isn’t what this photo is about. On the TV screen, you can see an image of one of North Korea’s national leaders. It is actually one of the propaganda messages that are played on the TV 24/7.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
The workers and the customers have no choice but to listen. It is their background music.
Customs Declaration Form
When photographer Michal Huniewicz first started his trip, he needed to get a North Korea customs declaration form. He had to list all of his belongings while also getting searched for anything illegal. You aren’t allowed to bring in pornography, Korean films, books about North Korea (even guidebooks), and GPS.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
If you have any of those with you, they will be confiscated. Luckily, the photographer didn’t get his camera taken away!
The Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge
Now here is something pleasant to look at! The Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge connects Dandong with the city of Sinuiju, North Korea. It is pretty much the last brightly colored lights you will see before entering North Korea.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
As you can probably guess, the dark area on the left is the beginning of North Korea. Kind of depressing, right?
North Korea has its own time zone
Yup, you read that correctly. Last year, it was declared by North Korea that they will have their own time zone called Pyongyang Time. North Korea is 3o minutes behind South Korea and Japan, which is usually referred to as the Japan Standard Time.
KCNA Watch
Pyongyang Time zone was put into effect on August 15th, 2015 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japan.
North Korea is relatively equal
North Korea has laws on sex equality, that provide women’s rights at work, rights on sharing and inheriting property and a right to free marriage and divorce. That’s more than a lot of Western countries!
Pinterest
This relative equality results in a considerable number of women in high positions, though they’re mostly wives and relatives of the country’s leaders.
North Koreans like to play unusual instruments
When was the last time you heard someone play the accordion? Though the instrument’s popularity isn’t really peaking in the Western world, in North Korea it’s quite a different story.
openculture.com
In the 1990’s, it was mandatory for North Korean teachers to learn how to play the accordion. The instrument is still very popular in the country today, and many still specialize in it.
North Koreans are shorter than South Koreans
It is a well-known fact that you need to be well nourished in order to grow big and strong. Unfortunately, in North Korea, malnourishment is a big problem as The World Food Programme estimated that 24% of the population has a lack of food. Because of this, those born after the Korean War in North Korea are actually 2 inches shorter than South Koreans.
Damir Sagolj/Reuters
This is due to the fact that most people in North Korea only eat corn and pickled cabbage.
You have to follow strict photo-taking rules
When Huniewicz arrived at the Mansu Hill Grand Monument, he was told, “visitors who take photos of the statues are required to frame both leaders in the entirety of their picture.” That’s right, they actually have statue photo-taking rules and will make you delete photos that don’t follow their standards.
Michal Huniewicz/Mikey.me
I guess the photographer managed to sneak in a rule-breaking photo!
North Korea at the Olympics
You would expect that a country like North Korea would shy away from international, western events like the Olympics. This is not the case, however: Since 1964, North Korea has participated in almost all of the Summer Olympic Games.
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
North Korean athletes have won no less than 56 medals, which is very impressive for such a poor country. North Korea has won medals for weightlifting, wrestling, judo, gymnastics and volleyball, among other things.
North Korea supported Trump
This probably isn’t so shocking after reading all about North Korea’s ideology but the country was for Trump during the election. They even had a propaganda website stating that Trump is “a prescient presidential candidate” and who Americans should vote for.
Thomson Reuters
North Korea was certainly excited for Trump’s inauguration. We will have to see how his presidency affects the rift between North and South Korea!
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