GK: 7 Shocking Facts About Life Under North Korea’s Kim Jong-un’s Regime You Won’t Believe! – News18

Last Updated:February 17, 2025, 16:08 IST

North Korea is an East Asian country located in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, bordered by the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan.

General Knowledge, GK: North Korea, an East Asian nation, occupies the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, stretching between the Yellow Sea and the East Sea (Sea of Japan). It covers about 55 per cent of the peninsula’s landmass and shares borders with China and Russia to the north and South Korea to the south. Its capital, Pyongyang, serves as the country’s political and industrial hub.

Ruled by the authoritarian leadership of Kim Jong-un, North Korea is known for its strict governance, isolation from the global community, and extreme restrictions on personal freedom s. Spanning approximately 46,540 square miles, it has a population of around 27 million. Many North Koreans attempt to escape in search of better living conditions, often at great personal risk.

Here are some startling and lesser-known facts that shed light on the country’s rigid structure and controlled society.

Eye-Opening Facts About North Korea

1. Strict Work Schedules
   North Koreans endure long and exhausting work hours. Most individuals work seven days a week, averaging about 56 hours per week. Men often start their day as early as 7 AM and work until 8 PM, clocking around 13 hours daily. Women typically work six to eight hours, depending on their occupation and industry.

2. A Society Ruled by Sirens
   Daily life in North Korea is heavily regimented, with sirens dictating people’s schedules. These alarms ring at fixed times—7:00 AM, noon, and midnight—serving as signals for waking up, meal breaks, and bedtime. The system ensures strict adherence to state-controlled routines, limiting individual choice and spontaneity.

3. Government-Regulated Beauty Standards
   Unlike the beauty trends seen in neighbouring South Korea, makeup in North Korea is strictly monitored. Red lipstick is banned as it is associated with capitalism, and heavy cosmetics are frowned upon due to their perceived Western influence. The state-approved cosmetics brands, such as Bomhyanggi (Spring Fragrance) and Unhasu, are among the limited options available.

4. The Underground Market Economy
   Due to widespread shortages of food, electricity, and basic necessities, many North Koreans rely on “jangmadang,” or black markets, to obtain essential goods. These markets play a crucial role in everyday survival, accounting for nearly 80 per cent of household income. People trade food, clothing, cosmetics, and even electronics—often smuggled from South Korea and China.

5. No Independent Media or Internet Access
   All news, television, and radio in North Korea are controlled by the government, ensuring that only state-approved propaganda is broadcast. Foreign media is strictly forbidden, and access to international websites is impossible. Anyone caught watching South Korean dramas or listening to Western music faces severe punishment, including imprisonment or even execution. The government also blocks foreign radio signals to prevent unauthorised information from reaching the public.

6. Mandatory Identity Cards for Citizens
   Every North Korean must carry an official identification card, which is essential for travel and accessing state services. In 2019, the government introduced plastic ID cards embedded with electronic chips, replacing older paper versions. These high-tech cards help authorities track citizens’ movements, making it harder for defectors to escape undetected. However, their distribution is unequal, with urban areas receiving them first, while rural populations lag behind.

7. Strictly Controlled Hairstyles
   Personal expression through fashion and grooming is heavily restricted. The government has approved only 28 official hairstyles—14 for men and 14 for women. Men must keep their hair short, with a maximum length of 5 cm (2 inches), while older men may grow it slightly longer. Women are allowed more variety, but married women are expected to maintain short hairstyles. A state-run campaign, “Let’s Trim Our Hair in Accordance with the Socialist Lifestyle,” was even broadcast to enforce these standards.

ALSO READ: What Is Dark Tourism? Check Out Top 10 Destinations

Bizarre Realities Of Daily Life In North Korea

• Mandatory Military Service: All men are required to serve in the military for 10 years, while women must enlist for at least 5 years.
• Punishment for Entire Families: If one family member is caught violating the law or attempting to defect, three generations of their family—parents, siblings, and children—can be sent to forced labour camps.
• Showcase Cities: Pyongyang, the capital, is carefully maintained to give foreign visitors an illusion of prosperity, while rural areas remain underdeveloped.
• Healthcare Limitations: While medical treatment is free, hospitals suffer from a lack of medicine, equipment, and trained professionals.
• State-Controlled Celebrations: The biggest holidays are the birthdays of former leaders Kim Il-sung (15 April) and Kim Jong-il (16 February), celebrated with mass parades.
• Unique Time Zone: North Korea follows “Pyongyang Time,” which is 30 minutes behind South Korea and Japan.
• Restricted Internet Access: Only a privileged few can use the internet. Most citizens rely on a heavily censored domestic network that blocks outside content.
• Government-Monitored Marriages: Weddings often take place at home unless couples can afford a venue. Newlyweds must also visit the statues of North Korea’s leaders to pay tribute.
• Banned Birthday Celebrations: No festivities are allowed on 8 July and 17 December, the anniversaries of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il’s deaths.
• Thriving Underground Economy: Many North Koreans trade goods using foreign currencies like US dollars, as state-issued money holds little value.
• Compulsory State Radio: Every home has a government-controlled radio that cannot be turned off, ensuring non-stop exposure to propaganda.

While North Korea is often associated with political oppression and social restrictions, it is also home to stunning landscapes, from majestic mountains to pristine coastlines. For those daring enough to visit, the country offers a unique and rare travel experience unlike any other.

Top 5 Places To Visit In North Korea

1. Pyongyang: The capital city, known for its grand monuments, wide boulevards, and iconic landmarks like Kim Il-sung Square and the Arch of Triumph.
2. Mount Paektu: A sacred and scenic mountain, revered in North Korean culture, offering stunning views and a volcanic crater lake.
3. Kumsusan Palace of the Sun: The mausoleum where the bodies of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il are preserved, a significant symbol of North Korea’s leadership.
4. The DMZ (Demilitarised Zone): The heavily guarded border area between North and South Korea, offering insight into the division of the Korean Peninsula.
5. Kaesong: A historic city near the South Korean border, home to ancient Korean architecture and the Koryo Museum, highlighting the country’s rich history.