15 Interesting Facts About North Korea

Introduction:

North Korea is a reclusive nation in East Asia, founded in 1948 and led by the Kim dynasty. While it’s easy to assume that North Korea would be a highly secretive, dangerous nation with little to offer the world, there’s much more bubbling below the surface. From the nation’s curious economic setup to its major contributions to the world, here are 15 interesting facts about North Korea.

Fact 1: North Korean is Not Completely Isolated from the World

It’s easy to assume that North Korea is a hermit kingdom, a country completely isolated from the world, but this is not the case. While North Korea has indeed cut itself off from some aspects of the outside world, the nation is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, the United Nations, and the East Asian Summit. The country even hosts a few embassies, including those of both the United States and South Korea. North Koreans are also allowed to travel to China, where they find a number of foreign goods unavailable back in their homeland.

Fact 2: North Korea is One of the Most Worcester Countries in the World

North Korea is one of the most heavily militarized countries in the world, with one of the largest military forces per capita. In fact, North Korea’s military budget is estimated to be around 25% of the nation’s yearly GDP, the highest rate of any nation in the world. The majority of North Korea’s military forces are trained for ground combat, although the nation does also possess a nuclear weapons program.

Fact 3: North Korea Has a Unique Monarchy System

North Korea has its own unique monarchy system, as the nation is still led by the Kim dynasty – which has held power since the nation’s inception in 1948. Kim Il-Sung, the father of current leader Kim Jong-Un, is the nation’s founder, and is still referred to as its “eternal president”. Members of the Kim dynasty are revered by North Koreans as literal gods, and are provided with luxury and power far beyond what the everyday citizen has access to.

Fact 4: North Korea’s Economy is Centered Around a Planned Economy

North Korea’s economy is powered by a hybrid of a planned economy and market economy. This hybrid system makes the nation rather unique compared to other countries in the region. While this economic system has done well in providing the nation with essential goods and services, it also has its drawbacks, such as the inability of North Koreans to access foreign goods.

Fact 5: North Korea is the Only Communist Country Led by a Monarch

North Korea is the only remaining communist country that is still led by a monarch. This has made North Korea an incredibly unique nation, and one that has been largely misunderstood by the world. While the country is still technically communist, its economic and social structure more closely resembles a traditional monarchy than anything else.

Fact 6: North Korea is Highly Suspicious of the Western World

North Korean citizens are highly suspicious of the western world, a notion that has been instilled by the government for many years. North Koreans are taught to be wary of western influences and discouraged from engaging in activities associated with the western world, such as wearing western clothing and consuming western media.

Fact 7: North Korea Has Suffered Numerous Food Shortages

North Korea has experienced numerous food shortages throughout its history. These food shortages were primarily caused by economic mismanagement, natural disasters, and severe droughts. North Korea’s current system of rationing can only partially compensate for the food shortages that the nation experiences.

Fact 8: North Koreans are Cut Off from the Internet

North Koreans are largely cut off from the internet, as the nation has its own version of the internet known as Kwangmyong. This version of the internet is tightly regulated and monitored by the government, and it allows North Koreans to only access a few approved websites. As a result, the majority of North Koreans are unable to access the global internet.

Fact 9: North Korea is a Cashless Society

North Korea is a largely cashless society, with a complex system of vouchers and coupons used to facilitate transactions. These vouchers and coupons allow the government to keep tight control over the economy, as it can easily track where funds are being sent and who is receiving them.

Fact 10: North Korean Currency is Quite Valuable in Laos

North Korea has its own version of legal tender, known as the North Korean Won. While the North Korean Won is almost completely worthless outside of the nation’s borders, it curiously holds some value in Laos. As such, North Korean currency is frequently exchanged for goods in Laos.

Fact 11: North Korea is Home to the Largest Stadium in the World

North Korea boasts the largest stadium in the world, the Rungrado May Day Stadium. This stadium is capable of seating over 150,000 people, making it the largest stadium in terms of capacity as well. The stadium is primarily used for sporting events, such as football and soccer, although it has also been used as a venue for concerts and other events.

Fact 12: North Korea is Home to One of the Most Brutal Prisons in the World

North Korea is home to one of the most brutal prisons in the world, the notorious Yodok Concentration Camp. This prison is notorious for its severe punishments, such as torture and execution, and is also known for its poor living conditions. The prison is currently estimated to hold between 50,000 – 200,000 inmates.

Fact 13: North Korean Citizens Receive Compulsory Education

In North Korea, citizens are given compulsory education from grade school through high school. The education system in North Korea is highly regimented, and students are taught a heavily biased version of North Korea’s history. North Korean students are also taught to revere the Kim dynasty as literal gods.

Fact 14: North Korea Has its Own Time Zone

North Korea has its own dedicated time zone, known as Pyongyang Time. Pyongyang Time is 8.5 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), and is used throughout the country. The country’s government made the move to create its own time zone in 2015, in order to distance itself from South Korea.

Fact 15: North Korea Has Made Numerous Contributions to the World

Despite its reclusive tendencies, North Korea has made numerous contributions to both the international community and the world as a whole. The nation is responsible for the world’s first robotized factory, for instance, and it developed AI technology that is now used worldwide. North Korea is also the birthplace of the internet language “Klingon”.

Conclusion

North Korea is one of the most secretive, mysterious nations in the world, often shrouded in myth, bias, and controversy. But there’s much more to the country than meets the eye. Hopefully, this list of 15 interesting facts about North Korea has shed some light on the nation’s unique culture, history, and economy.