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North Korea
This category covers questions about North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which is the counterpart of South Korea. North Korea is famous for having one of the worst human rights records in the world.
1,331 Questions
Why does North Korea use propaganda?
North Korea is not the only country that uses propaganda. Every country in the world does; it is just much harder to recognize propaganda in your own country. We notice North Korean propaganda because it is more ridiculous and overstated than most countries' propaganda.
The reason North Korea uses propaganda is to create a society less willing to revolt against the North Korean government. Currently, the North Korean government starves many of its own people, lacks any serious internet capabilities, requires all of its citizens to belong to the Juche religion (worshiping the previous leaders of North Korea like gods), and place hundreds of thousands of prisoners in camps. Any sensible group of people under those conditions would at least consider rebellion. However, the North Korean government has carefully calibrated the propaganda machine in its own country to "inform people" that the world outside of North Korea is significantly worse and the US, South Korea, and Japan are all conspiring to hurt the North Korean people. In this way, the tyrannical North Korean government looks like a hero as opposed to the monstrous villain that it is.
Do kids in North Korea get homework?
Kids that go to school get homework, but only a small percentage of North Koreans actually go to school.
The word juche, in Korea, was first drawn from 1887-1900 translations of German philosophy, where it means "subject" (vs. "object"). It was later adapted to an ideology of "self-reliance" by Kim Il-sung, ruler of North Korea from 1948 to 1994 (president from 1972 to 1994).
How North Korea how are laws made?
North Korea is an ultra-tightly controlled Communist Dictatorship. The government hierarchy makes whatever rules/laws they wish and enforces them by force of their military and police.
Does kim jong un make his own laws?
Kim Jong Un, as the supreme leader of North Korea, has significant influence over the laws and policies of the country. While he may not personally draft every law, his directives and decisions shape the legal system in North Korea. The country's leadership structure is highly centralized, giving Kim Jong Un substantial authority in the governance of the nation.
What responsibilities does North Korean citizens have?
North Korean citizens are expected to demonstrate loyalty to the regime, follow government directives without question, participate in public demonstrations, and adhere to strict social norms and cultural practices. They also have responsibilities such as mandatory military service, labor mobilization, and engaging in government propaganda activities.
Does North Korea have jury duty?
No, North Korea does not have a jury system. Instead, trials are presided over by a single judge or panel of judges. The judiciary in North Korea is controlled by the ruling regime, limiting the independence of the legal system.
How do laws get passed in North Korea?
In North Korea, laws are proposed by the ruling Workers' Party and ultimately approved by the Supreme People's Assembly, which is the country's highest legislative body. The process is tightly controlled by the government, with little room for debate or opposition. Once a law is passed, it is enforced by the state without question.
What happens if you break the law in North Korea?
There are several punishments you can receive if you break the law in North Korea, but the two main one are either a prison sentence or you go to the firing squad. It is worth noting that prison sentences in North Korea also include torture as a regular accoutrement.
Do not break the law in North Korea. The criminal justice system there is abhorrent and North Korea uses Western detainees as leverage in negotiations with Western powers, meaning that you may be detained longer, tortured more, or have any number of painful acts visited upon you in an attempt to extract concessions from a Western State. North Koreans who are imprisoned are often subject to hard labor with no advocate or means of self-defense (in both a physical and legal sense).
What rights do north Koreans have?
North Koreans have very limited rights compared to the rest of the world. The government exerts strict control over all aspects of their lives, including freedom of speech, religion, and movement. Citizens are heavily monitored, and dissent is not tolerated.
How much freedom do north Korean's have today?
North Koreans have limited freedom due to the authoritarian rule of the government. Citizens are tightly controlled in terms of their speech, movement, and access to information. Dissent is not tolerated, and there are severe consequences for those who challenge the regime.
What social programs does North Korea have?
As a totalitarian government where the general population is subject to extreme deprivation and sometimes starvation, North Korea does not have much in the way of social programs. Food rations, housing, healthcare, and education are offered from the state for free, but the state has had considerable trouble delivering on both food and health care. It has one of the worst human rights (if not THE worst) human rights records in the world as of 2011. Amnesty International reports:
North Koreans sent to prison camps and detention centers are often subjected to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Prisoners are punished if suspected of lying, not working fast enough or forgetting the words of patriotic songs. Forms of punishment include beatings, forced exercise, sitting without moving for prolonged periods of time and humiliation. Due to the combination of forced hard labor, inadequate food, beatings, lack of medical care and unhygienic living conditions, many prisoners fall ill and die in custody or soon after release.
North Korea has a national medical service and health insurance system. According to the World Health Organization's last available figures, North Korea spent less on healthcare than any other country in the world - under US$1 per person per year in total. Since 1979 more emphasis has been put on traditional Korean medicine, based on treatment with herbs and acupuncture.
North Korea's healthcare system has been in a steep decline since the 1990s due to natural disasters, economic problems, and food and energy shortages. Many hospitals and clinics in North Korea now lack essential medicines, equipment, running water and electricity. Amputation and other major surgeries carried out without anesthesia are just one indication of the dire state of North Korea's healthcare system, a new Amnesty International report has found. The North Korean government still claims that its healthcare system is free for all, but many witnesses told Amnesty International that they have had to pay for all services since the 1990's, with doctors usually paid in cigarettes, alcohol or food for the most basic consults, and taking cash for tests or surgery.
Among other health problems, many North Korean citizens suffer from the after effects of malnutrition, caused by famines related to the failure of its food distribution program and "military first" policy. A 1998 United Nations (UN) World Food Program report revealed that 60% of children suffered from malnutrition, and 16% were acutely malnourished. As a result, those who suffered during the famines during the 1990's have ongoing health problems.
Almost 100% of the population has access to water and sanitation, but it is not completely potable. Infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, malaria, and hepatitis B, are considered to be endemic to the country. Life expectancy in North Korea is 63.8 years, occupying the 170th place in the world, according to 2009 estimates. Recognizing that the political and military elite of the country get the bulk of the care, and thus have longer lives, significantly skewing the average life expectancy upward relative to the general population, the average North Korean has an even lower life expectancy. In the 1990's North Korea faced significant economic disruptions, including a series of natural disasters, economic mismanagement and serious resource shortages after the collapse of the Eastern Bloc which had heavily subsidized it with food supplies and economic aid. Severe food shortages compounded by the official policy of keeping the military supplied no matter what happened to the rest of the population led to the deaths of between 300,000 and 800,000 North Koreans per year during the three year famine, peaking in 1997 - mostly from famine related diseases such as pneumonia, TB, and vitamin deficiencies.
Education in North Korea is free of charge. Compulsory education lasts eleven years, and encompasses one year of preschool, four years of primary education and six years of secondary education. The school curriculum has both academic and political content. Higher education is not compulsory in North Korea. It is composed of two systems: academic higher education and higher education for continuing education. The academic higher education system includes three kinds of institutions: universities, professional schools, and technical schools. Graduate schools for master's and doctoral level studies are attached to universities, and are for students who want to continue their education. Positions at the universities, professional schools, and technical schools are allocated by a combination of academic performance in pre-college schooling and political connections.
What kinds of laws do they follow in north Korea?
North Korea follows a strict legal system based on socialist principles and the leader's directives. The legal system is primarily focused on maintaining the regime's control and authority, with limited protection of individual rights. This includes laws that criminalize dissent and criticism of the government.
What happens if you cross the north Korea border illegally?
Crossing the North Korea border illegally is extremely dangerous and can lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment, interrogation, and even death. North Korea has strict border control measures in place and trespassing is considered a serious offense. It is strongly advised to respect the laws and regulations of any country and not attempt to cross borders illegally.
What is the current population density of North Korea?
South Korea's population density is 500 per square kilometer.
Is North Korea a socialist regime?
Yes, North Korea is often described as a socialist regime due to its one-party system, state-controlled economy, and emphasis on collective ownership of resources. However, many critics argue that the regime has strayed from traditional socialist principles and point to its authoritarian government as evidence of its deviation from true socialism.
What are some weird laws in North Korea?
In North Korea, it is illegal to wear jeans, have piercings, or watch foreign media without permission. Additionally, citizens are required to have portraits of the country's leaders in their homes and are restricted from traveling outside the country without government approval.
How many North Korean won in a pound?
The exchange rate between North Korean won and British pound varies, but as of September 2021, it's approximately 0.0013 GBP for 1 North Korean won.
What did the American soldiers call the north Koreans?
American soldiers referred to North Koreans as "gooks" during the Korean War, which is a derogatory term.
Standard of living in North Korea?
North Korea had a very high living standard, higher than the south until the 1980s. However since the economic collapse, unprecedented natural disasters, mismanagement, and famine in the 1990s and early 21st century North Korea's living standard has dwindled from its one high position to 99th in the world equivalent to that of Jamaica.
What does a sentence of hard labor in north korea mean?
A sentence of hard labor in North Korea typically refers to forced labor in prison camps where detainees are subjected to harsh conditions, long hours of work, and minimal food. Inmates are often forced to perform physically demanding tasks, such as farming, mining, or manufacturing, with little regard for their well-being. These sentences are often used as a form of punishment for perceived political crimes against the state.
What other nations came to aid the north Korean communists?
China and the Soviet Union were the primary nations that provided aid to North Korea during the Korean War. China sent troops to support North Korea, while the Soviet Union provided military equipment, financial assistance, and diplomatic support.
Why did north Korean cross the 38th parallel?
North Korea crossed the 38th parallel during the Korean War in 1950 to invade and unify South Korea under a communist regime. The invasion sparked a global conflict as the United Nations intervened to support South Korea, leading to a three-year war that ended in an armistice.
What percentage of the roads and highways in North Korea are paved?
According to the most recent (1999) data available, 6.4%of the roads and highways in North Korea are paved.
