Life Inside North Korea 4

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Life Inside North Korea

Life Inside North Korea

Splash Travels

Story by Allison Robertson

• 22h 2024-11-02

Life Inside North Korea

North Korea is the world’s most secretive state, so it can be tough to get a clear picture of the daily lives of its 26 million citizens. The strict North Korean regime has stripped the people of their power. Nobody gets in, and nobody gets out.

From concentration camps to mass surveillance, every aspect of life in North Korea is monitored and unfavorable behavior is met with brutal punishment. Life in this authoritarian state is no picnic, and those who live there typically would prefer not to.

Here’s everything we know about life in North Korea.

Media In North Korea©Astrelok, Shutterstock

North Korean leaders believe that their rules and censorship system are necessary in order to keep people under control, “to prevent the rise of criticism about the government".

Photojournalism is heavily regulated. TVs and other media devices bought within the country are preset to receive only the government frequencies. They are sealed to prevent tampering, must be registered, and are subjected to spontaneous inspections.

Do They Have Access To The Internet?©Truba7113, Shutterstock

The general population of North Korea does not have internet access. Only certain internet cafes or hotels designed for foreign tourists are given access to the World Wide Web.

Instead, the government provides the people with Kwangmyong—an intranet that circulates within their borders only, and controls what can be searched and what can be found.

Propaganda In North Korea©Stephen A. Rohan, Shutterstock

Not only do they have limited access to devices, the content they do get is specifically made for them.

Songs played on radios are based on praising communism, and TV stations are controlled by the Propaganda and Agitation Department, and only include four channels with limited programs.

All and any media, including print, only includes North Korean content, promoting their government as top tier.

Do They Have Social Media?©Mirko Kuzmanovic, Shutterstock

Social media has been on the rise in recent years, with several new socials entering the chat. However, none of them are allowed in North Korea.

As of 2016, all social media platforms are officially banned in the country. Though, they were never actually allowed to begin with.

North Korea’s ban list is quite extensive, and technology isn’t the only thing their citizens miss out on.

What Clothing Is Banned In North Korea?©Oleg Znamenskiy, Shutterstock

North Korea also controls what their citizens wear. Certain items, like jeans, flashy or brightly colored materials, high heels, short skirts, and clothing with logos are all banned. Altering clothing is also a serious offense.

Focus is on subdued and uniform attire. Colors and embellishments are restricted to prevent any form of individual expression‎ that may deviate from state-approved norms.

Is Smoking Allowed In North Korea?©christiantimeless, Shutterstock

Smoking is considered a common social norm in America, and it’s actually a common social norm in North Korea, too—but only for men.

While it’s acceptable for men, it is a social taboo for women. It is considered even more disgraceful than heavy drinking.

What Religion Is Practiced In North Korea?©FrentaN, Shutterstock

As mentioned previously, North Koreans caught with a bible are severely punished. This is because North Korea is an atheist state. There are no known official religions, but its constitution does state a freedom to exercise religion—as long as it does not introduce foreign forces, harm the state, or harm the social order.

However, what the government says and what they actually do are two very different things.

Christianity In North Korea© Maxim Tupikov, Shutterstock

According to Jun-Seok, a former North Korean border guard, “The thing that North Korea fears the most is not South Korea or the United States, but religion, especially Christianity.

Today, North Korea won’t openly admit their stance against religion, but nearly 65% of citizens do not practice a religion of any kind.

Who Are North Koreans Taught To Hate?©Stephen A. Rohan, Shutterstock

North Koreans are taught to hate the external world, especially the United States and South Korea as their “main enemies".

In fact, Kyn-Min, a former North Korean movie director who escaped the regime in 1999 said, “In North Korea, when talking about America, one should always be mad".

Why Don’t More People Escape?©Oleg Znamenskiy, Shutterstock

You may wonder why people who are granted permission to travel actually return home. This is because usually, the people who are allowed to leave are so brainwashed that they are actually loyal to their government—specifically the Kim family, who they see as “protectors".

But, that’s not the only reason.

Taking Family Hostage©Stephen A. Rohan, Shutterstock

When a North Korean leaves the country for work purposes, they are not allowed to take any family members with them. Instead, those family members are left behind, sort of like hostages, and used as an incentive for the person to return.

Oftentimes, people without close family members are not granted permission to leave, as there is less reason for them to come back.

Even still, some people manage to break free.

How Does Anyone Escape?©Rolfmueller, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Defectors (those who escape) commonly cross the China-North Korea border. But, it’s not easy. In recent years, North Korea has beefed up the border patrol with stricter inspections and searches.

But once defectors have made it to safe land, the journey is still not over.

What Happens After They Escape?©xue siyang, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Once a North Korean successfully makes it to the other side, they are strictly interrogated. This is basically to prove that they are not spies sent by the North Korean regime, disguised as defectors.

Can Anyone Move To North Korea?©Stephen A. Rohan, Shutterstock

Most countries across the globe strictly discourage travel to North Korea in any manner. However, if you have a particular skill or are sponsored by a company for a job there, you may be granted access—but it wouldn’t be easy.

The average person cannot just pick up and relocate to North Korea for personal interest alone. The outside influence you would bring would not be acceptable. They like to pretend the outside world doesn’t exist, and your knowledge would greatly risk that secret.

North Korea Today©smith371, Shutterstock

In recent years, many North Koreans have secretly outsmarted their government and found ways to discover life beyond the border. It is believed that many citizens are aware of the control tactics and have started behaving in ways that will benefit them—playing the game, so to speak.

Sneaky citizens have also implemented an extensive smuggling operation that brings in various media sources, books, and items that are typically not allowed in North Korea.

The Future Of North Korea©Piu_Piu, Shutterstock

However, it is also widely believed that a large number of uneducated people living outside the nation’s capital are still completely ignorant about the outside world. They know only what they are told, and often believe this is the only way of life—for everyone.

And although some progress has been made, it’s hard to say what the future looks like for North Korea.

North Korea vows to stand by Russia until 'victory day' is achieved

Story by Sabrina Penty and Afp

 • 6h  2024-11-02

North Korea vows to stand by Russia until 'victory day' is achieved©AP

North Korea will stand by Russia until its victory in Ukraine, Pyongyang's foreign minister said in Moscow Friday, as the US has warned thousands of North Korean troops could be sent to combat in the Ukraine conflict in the coming days. North Korea's Choe Son Hui was in Moscow as the West believes up to 10,000 North Korean troops are training in Russia and on the brink of entering the more than two-year conflict on Russia's side. US intelligence has said some of the troops have made their way to the Kursk border region, with Washington and Seoul warning North Korea to withdraw its army.