14 Interesting Facts about North Korea

1. You can’t turn off the government radio installed in your home, only reduce the volume.

2. Idolatry in North Korea is such that it is second-nature for ordinary citizens to “rescue” portraits of Kim Il Sung before all else in the case of a house fire (there are even special bunkers for statues in case of war)

3. Many people don’t even know that man has walked on the moon.

4. There is no Internet, cell-phones have been banned.

5. A main cause for all problems are Americans. Mothers teach their children to sing songs about bad Americans, there are many postage stamps showing the death of “U.S imperialists”

6. A six-day work week, and another day of enforced “volunteer” work, ensures that the average citizen has virtually no free time.

7. The very first thing you do when you visit North Korea’s capital Pyongyang is visit and give a flower to a big statue of “Dear Leader”.

8. About 0.85% of the population are held in prison or detention camps.

9. Most traffic control is performed by female traffic directors (reportedly handpicked by Kim Jong-Il for their beauty), as the lights are switched off to save electricity.

10. Dogs are banned in Pyongyang to keep it clean.

11. Avarage wage in 2005 was 6$ (source: www.gluckman.com/NKFEER.html)

12. Visitors of North Korea are given special guides and can’t go anywhere without them.

13. North Koreans are used to often disappearing electricity and have many candles prepared.

14. North Korea has the fourth-largest military in the world, at an estimated 1.21 million armed personnel

http://villageofjoy.com/north-korea-most-isolated-country-in-the-world/


Number 9 - who knew that??

North Korea is one of the world's most authoritarian and secretive nations, with an economy in dire straits after decades of mismanagement.

The North relies heavily on international aid to feed its people and fuel resources for its one million-man army.

The Korean People's Army encompasses the army, navy and air force and has 1.08 million active personnel and 4.7 million in reserves.

Military expenditures account for 31.3 percent of GDP expenditures, making North Korea --- dollar for dollar --- the world's most militaristic state.

North Korea is said to have an extensive chemical weapons program. A report by the Federation of American Scientists says that North Korea has chemical stockpiles of at least 180-250 tons of reserve-weaponized agents.

And we're making deals to reduce our nuclear arsenal by 30%?????

We know that fact # 4 is wrong.
In a contract to finish that big unfinished hotel, "Egyptian conglomerate Orascom agreed to a face lift as part of a $400-million deal reached this year to install a cellphone network in North Korea."
http://fairuse.100webcustomers.com/mayfaire/latimes0168.htm

We have 1500 and/or reduced thereto; but what if the other side has 5000? Who wins?

JIMBIALEK wrote:

Mayor_of_Pyongyang wrote: And we're making deals to reduce our nuclear arsenal by 30%????? A plethora of nukes minus 30% is still a whole lotta nukes - it would still leave the US with 1,500-1,675 warheads. If it ever comes to a point where 1,500 nuclear bombs going off isn't enough, then the world is toast and nothing else will matter. catcher22 wrote: North Korea is one of the world's most authoritarian and secretive nations, with an economy in dire straits after decades of mismanagement. The North relies heavily on international aid to feed its people and fuel resources for its one million-man army. The Korean People's Army encompasses the army, navy and air force and has 1.08 million active personnel and 4.7 million in reserves. Military expenditures account for 31.3 percent of GDP expenditures, making North Korea --- dollar for dollar --- the world's most militaristic state. North Korea is said to have an extensive chemical weapons program. A report by the Federation of American Scientists says that North Korea has chemical stockpiles of at least 180-250 tons of reserve-weaponized agents. Those first 2 facts kind of make the point that NK won't be taking over the world any time soon. Lets all chill.

Back on task:

North Korea is the least visited country in the world – only 1,800 Westerners make the trip each year.

The border with China has become porous, with people moving back and forth and some in the area using Chinese mobile phone networks with smuggled handsets.

Until 1987 no visitors from "non-aligned" countries were allowed; by 1993, around 50 western tourists a year were visiting. Now just under 2,000 a year go there, along with up to 30,000 Chinese tourists, accompanied by guides at all times. Photographs are inspected – and often deleted – before tourists leave.

The government operates a semi-hereditary system of social discrimination whereby all citizens are classified into 53 subgroups under overall security ratings – 'core', 'wavering', and 'hostile' – based on their family's perceived loyalty to the regime. This rating determines virtually every facet of a person's life, including employment and educational opportunities, place of residence, access to medical facilities, and even access to stores

Kim Jong Il - Official biographers say that the 67-year-old was born in a military camp on Baekdu Mountain, his birth foretold by a swallow and heralded by the appearance of a double rainbow over the mountain and a new star in the heavens. According to Soviet records, however, he was born in a Siberian village.

His former sushi chef described a man with a violent temper and a love for large quantities of Hennessy VSOP cognac. Banquets used to last up to four days; his Pleasure Brigade, handpicked young women, provided the entertainment, sometimes ordered to dance naked.

According to North Korean media, Kim's accomplishments are legion. His official biography says he has composed six operas and according to the South Korean news agency Yonhap, he has described himself as an internet expert.

Pyongyang's eight cinemas are said to be frequently closed due to lack of power; when open, they screen domestic propaganda movies with inspiring titles such as The Fate of a Self-Defence Corps Man.

Crossroads are overseen by female traffic police, reportedly hand-picked by Kim Jong-il for their beauty – although men manage the roundabouts. Traffic lights are in place, but rarely used.

Much more here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/06/north-korea-kim-jong-il

Very informative post. Hey, that "Pleasure Brigade" seems mighty interesting!