People who study Korean culture seem to believe that “everyone likes to talk about North Korea because you can say anything about it.” However, news such as Kim Jong-un using a flamethrower to burn one of his ministers or the announcement about the success of landing on the Sun cannot be proven.
The Crfat Sides wants to shed some light on the lives of ordinary people in North Korea compared to South Korea. The division of Korea has had a great impact on the life of both countries.
Differences Between North Korean And South Korean
Pyongyang vs. Seoul
From the clouds, both capitals look like huge megacities. Pyongyang’s skyscrapers are almost the same as apartment blocks in Seoul or Busan.
The Common Panorama
Two cities share a common picture of the Han River, and the views from the opposite banks are almost the same. Although suicide rates are quite high in South Korea, the bridge jumping is not uncommon.
The problem is that some people cannot cope with the high level of interpersonal competition in South Korea. The idea of a measured rhythm of life does not exist here. Everyone’s primary goal is success and self-actualization.
Downtown
This is what business districts look like in the two capitals.
Residential Areas
And these are the residential areas. It is interesting to know that people in North Korea do not pay the bills for housing and community services: the apartments are delivered to them free of charge after the marriage registration. A small apartment in South Korea, on the other hand, can cost up to $ 180,000.
Fashion
As for fashion, there are many false myths about it in North Korea: for example, a woman cannot wear pants or there are only a certain number of approved haircuts. You can buy very elegant clothes in international supermarkets (for the wealthy) or in Chinese sellers.
Obviously, there is no comparison with South Korea, considered one of the most elegantly dressed countries in the world. 50 years of fashion development separate these countries.
Education
Education in North Korea is based on 1 year of preparatory school and 10 years of compulsory study. After that, young geniuses and wealthy children enter universities, and the rest of the students start looking for work.
Western literature and geography are among the school subjects, but to demonstrate the Western way of life, teachers mainly use African countries.
As for South Korea, school studies last 12 years and local universities are considered one of the most prestigious in the world. Many students from different countries dream of an internship here.
Employment
This is what a break from work looks like. As you can see, 70 years can’t erase old habits. What is the average salary earned by North Koreans? You’ll be surprised, but it costs around $ 3 a day with food tickets. The average salary in the south is approximately 1,000 times more.
Culture
Brilliant and energetic K-pop shocked defectors from the north. In fact, many North Korean defectors take a three-month course to adjust to modern life. For more information on the process of merging with a new life, read the BBC research on the subject.
Food
There is no famine in North Korea, but the shortage of fruits and vegetables is obvious, which is why apples and cabbages are so popular. Lack of protein-rich foods influences the height of the average person compared to South Koreans.
To fill the protein gap, people started hunting frogs and turtles. Food carts on the streets of major cities offer sausage sticks, ice cream, popcorn, and steamed meat rolls. Seoul, on the other hand, can offer not only rich national cuisine but also many diverse European dishes.
Public Transport
The story goes that Pyongyang has only 3 subway stations that are used only by foreigners. Then it is not true! The metro system in North Korea was built several years before Seoul, and everyone can use it.
You cannot buy a car in North Korea. Only military and government officials awarded cars. That is why people often use public transport or bicycle.
Technology
Don’t think that North Koreans don’t have any devices. North Korea has its own factory that produces televisions, laptops, and smartphones (“Arirang” runs on Android). They are made in China and marked in North Korea. Although few people have enough money to buy this type of property.
Leisure
Your eyes don’t lie: North Korea has golf courses. Ordinary citizens do not play, of course. They don’t even know what it really is.
But Munsu Water Park is known to everyone.
Conclusion
North Korea may be called the most closed and secret country in the world, but you don’t have to believe all the myths about it. We have all seen a photograph of the Korean peninsula from space, where North Korea is a completely dark place.
But if you take a closer look, you can see that Vladivostok, the city of eastern Russia, and various cities in China also seem to be deleted too.
In addition to everything you’ve read here, we bet you’ll completely change your mind about North Korea after watching Comrade Kim’s incredible trailer fly.
Preview photo credit seoulstreetstyle
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