Everyday Life
The North Korean people live under a strict communist regime. They have no say in how their country is managed. The central government controls nearly every aspect of life in the country. Most jobs don’t have salaries. Food and clothing are mostly provided by the government. People who do have a job with a paycheck earn around $1,500 per year. The majority of North Korean people are very poor. They don’t have things like washing machines, fridges, or even bicycles.
Practicing a religion is not allowed as the state sees it as a
threat. Instead, children are raised to worship Kim Il Sung,
“the President for life”. There are over 34,000 statues of Kim Il Sung in North Korea, and all wedding ceremonies must take place in front of one. Portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can be found pretty much everywhere. All citizens must hang these portraits, which are provided by the government. Once a month, the police come over and check whether the portraits are still hanging and properly taken care of.
Electricity is very unreliable in the country; most homes only have electricity a few hours per day. When buildings on one side of the street are blacked out, the other side gets electricity. When this situation occurs, there is a mad rush of children who run to their friends’ apartments on the other side.
Internet is only available to the elite in North Korea. Even cellphones are extremely rare. Only people who are trusted by the government can buy a cell phone, but they must pay a registration fee of $825.
There are only 300,000 cars in North Korea. Nevertheless, the regime takes traffic control very seriously. In case there is a power outage, female traffic directors take over. These traffic directors are personally hand- picked by Kim Jong Un; only the most beautiful girls are chosen for this job.
North Korea is the most militarized country in the world. The government spends more than 30% of its tax income on the military, and all men must serve at least 10 years in the army. It is not easy to be a soldier; the conditions are tough, discipline is harsh, and food supplies are poor.
When people want to buy a TV, they must report this to the authorities. The government wants to ensure that the TVs are tuned to the official channels only. All TV and radio channels are run by the state, and foreign channels are against the law. Because of this, most North Korean people have no idea of world events. They only see the things that the government wants them to see. Foreign books, magazines, and newspapers are not allowed.
Company workers have to allow a lot of time to go to their work. Most transportation systems are unreliable, and being late for work is totally unacceptable. It is not that there is so much work to do, but the government says that being late “aids the enemy”.
Exercise 8: Are the following statements about life in North Korea true or false?
1) There are no washing machines, fridges, 6) TVs are set up in such a way that only ( ) ( )
government channels can be watched. and bicycles in North Korea.
2) People are not allowed to worship Jesus. ( ) 7) North Korea has the largest army in the world.
( )
3) The best traffic directors are chosen ( )
8) Images of the leaders can be found pretty
( )
because there is a lot of traffic.
much everywhere.
4) Many people don’t have electricity ( )
9) Most people have no idea what the world
( )
because the government doesn’t allow it.
outside North Korea is like.
5) Internet is not available for ordinary ( )
10) People can buy a cellphone for $825. ( )
people.
Exercise 9: Answer the questions about everyday life in North Korea.
1) Things as the internet, TVs, cellphones and cars 3) Why do you think that the North Korean are very normal in our lives; but in North Korea these government portrays Americans as bad people?
things are luxury items, and only a few people can afford them. Which of the previously mentioned ______things would you miss the most if you lived in North Korea? Explain. ______
______
______
______2) Why do you think that the North Korean people are ______not allowed to watch foreign TV, use the internet and ______travel______abroad? ______
______
______
______
______
______Attractions
Kim Il Sung Square Juche Tower Kim Il Sung Square is a massive square that is located The Juche Tower is a in the center of Pyongyang. The square covers an area monument in the city
of 800,000 square of Pyongyang. The
feet and can tower was built to accommodate over commemorate Kim Il 100,000 people. Sung’s 70th birthday.
Every year, a The government claims that the monument was
massive military designed by Kim Jong Il. Visitors can go to the top of parade is held here. the 490 feet tower and enjoy the view of the city.
Demilitarized Zone
When the Korean War officially ended in 1953, Korea was separated into two parts. The border between the two parts of Korea is referred to as the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and is 1.25 miles wide. The site has been a tourist attraction, due to its historical importance.
Many tourists are fascinated by the diversity between the two countries that can clearly be seen at the DMZ. The Joint Security Area, which can be seen in the Kumsusan Memorial Palace picture, is used to hold negotiations between the two The Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang was the nations. residence of Kim Il Sung. The palace is now the largest mausoleum in the world that is dedicated to a Communist leader. The embalmed bodies of Kim Il
Sung and Kim Jong Il lay inside the palace.
USS Pueblo The USS Pueblo is an American Navy ship that was
captured by North Korea in 1968. The military
relocated the ship to the Taeodong River in Pyongyang and it now serves as a museum. Ryugyong Hotel
The Ryugyong Hotel is a 105-story hotel in the center of Pyongyang.
The construction of the building started in 1987 but was only completed in 2011. The pyramid shaped structure is 1080 feet tall and is by far the tallest building in North Korea.
Exercise 10: Choose the best answers for the questions below.
1) Which of the following landmarks was built 4) The Demilitarized Zone is ... as a monument for Kim Sung Il? a. a tourist attraction spanning its entire length. a. Juche Tower b. Kim Jong Il Square b. an area where both North and South Korea can meet. c. DMZ d. USS Pueblo c. the border between North and South Korea without soldiers. d. a monument to the Korean War. 2) North Korea’s annual military parade is held … 5) Which place is a tomb for the North Korean rulers? a. in front of the Kumsusan Memorial Palace. a. The Ryugyong b. The DMZ b. in the Demilitarized Zone. c. Kumsusan Memorial Palace d. none of the above c. around the Juche Tower. d. on Kim Il Sung Square. 6) Which of the following statements is true? a. The Juche Tower is a monument for Kim Jong Il. 3) The USS Pueblo ... b. Ryugyong is the residence of the North Korean government. a. belongs to the North Korean Navy. c. The DMZ is located on the border of North and South Korea. b. is a place for tourists. d. Military parades can be seen at Kim Il Sung square every day. c. was a gift from the United States. d. none of the above.
Exercise 11: Complete the crossword puzzle.
Across 4) An American Navy ship that was captured by North Korea. 6) The Joint Security Area is a place for ...... 7) The tallest building of North Korea.
Down 1) The Kumsusan Memorial Palace was the residence of ...... 2) Military parades are held at ...... 3) A monument in Pyongyang. 5) The bodies of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are ......
Interesting Facts
Kim Jong Il During the reign of Kim Jong Il, the North Korean government released the “official
biography” of the life of Kim Jong Il. According to this biography, Kim Jong Il was born
on a sacred mountain under a double rainbow as a new star appeared in the sky. When he was only 3 years old, he learned to walk and was already correcting his school teacher during history lessons. Kim Jong Il shot a 38 under par on the country’s golf course. He scored 11 hole in one’s on the 18 hole course. After that, he retired from the sport, as he could not get any better at it. He did not use toilets because he did not defecate. He invented hamburgers and had the ability to control the weather with his moods. Kim Jong Il
Life expectancy
The average life expectancy of North Korean people is 69 years, which is 11 years less than South Koreans. The most serious health risk is hunger. During the reign of Kim Jong Il, a famine killed around 2.5 million people, which was roughly 10% of the entire population.
Tourism It is possible for foreigners to visit North Korea, although it is not easy to do so.
Visa applicants are thoroughly checked by the authorities and only a few people
are actually allowed to visit the country. However, no South Koreans are ever allowed to come to North Korea. It is also extremely difficult for the American and Japanese people to obtain a visa, as these countries are seen as enemies of North Korea. Once tourists have entered the country, they are not allowed to speak with the local people. It is also against the law for North Koreans to speak with foreigners without permission.
The US N avy ship The Navy of the United States is the most powerful in the Quick Facts world. No single country in the world has ever claimed to An American soldier ran across the North Korean border in have captured a US ship or submarine. However, North 1962 and has been living there ever since.
Korea is actually the only country in the world that has North Korean “researchers” have concluded that the North captured a US Navy ship. The ship was taken in 1968 Korean people are the 2nd happiest people in the world behind around 15 miles off the coast of North Korea. China.
In North Korea, it is not the year 2014 but 103. They started Kijong-Dong marking the years following the birth of Kim Il Sung.
Kijong-Dong is a propaganda city that was built in the The economy of North Korea was larger than South Korea until the 1970s. However, today, the North Korean economy 1950s near the border with South Korea. The city has no is about 2.5% the size of its Southern neighbor. actual residents. The main purpose behind building this Every 5 years, elections are held in the country. However, city was to display the superiority of the North over the there is only one candidate to choose from. South. The buildings of the city have lights on set timers North Korea has the world’s largest stadium. It can seat and actors are hired to create the illusion of city activity. 150,000 people.
North Koreans may only choose from 28 haircuts that have been approved by the authorities.
Kim Jong Il’s oldest son, Kim Jong Nam, has fallen out of favor after being arrested in Tokyo while traveling to Disneyland on a forged passport.
Kijong-Dong Exercise 14: Answer the questions below.
6) Do you think that the North Korean people really 1) What is special about the North Korean city of believe the things that the government claims about Kijong-Dong? their leaders? Why?
______2) The official biography of Kim Jong Il is … ______a. based on actual events. b. propaganda from the government. 7) The average age of a North Korean citizen is 69.
a. true b. false 3) Why is it more difficult to visit North Korea for
Americans than for Russians or Chinese? 8) The North Korean economy was bigger than the
______South Korean in the 1970s. Today, the North Korean economy is only 2.5% the size of the South Korean ______economy. Why do you think this happened?
4) Why do you think that visiting foreigners are not ______allowed to communicate with the North Korean ______people?
______
______
______9) Why do you think that Kim Jong Nam, Kim Jong Il’s eldest son, fell out of favor because he visited 5) Why do you think that the government released Disneyland in Japan? such an insane biography of their leader? ______
______
______
Exercise 15: Unscramble the words. Hints are given below.
1) rweetah ______According to the North Korean Government, Kim Jong Il could control the … with his moods.
2) ldndniseay ______Kim Jun Il’s oldest son fell out of favor because he tried to visit … with a forged passport.
3) nrhegu ______The most serious health risk in North Korea.
4) parapndaog ______Kijong-Dong is a … city.
5) dntcaeaid ______There are elections in North Korea, but the people can only choose one … .
6) rsfireneog ______Most North Korean people are not allowed to speak with … .