“One of the happiest countries in the world”. “Real unicorn’s tomb.” “The President’s good mood assures fine weather.” No, these are not random words. This is North Korea. Do you want more data?
The Crfat Sides has 11 facts that describe this paradoxical country, which will not leave you indifferent in any way.
Mind-Blowing Facts About North Korea
11. Separate Calendar
In 1997, North Korea accepted the new chronology, and they are now in the year 106. The starting point was Kim Il-sung’s birthday in 1912. All printed calendars have two versions: dates for North Korea and dates for the rest of the world.
Kim Il-sung has many noble titles (such as “The Eternal President”). The same is true for the son and the grandson, but they are never called presidents.
10. Social Classes
In 1957, the DPRK authorities divided the country into three main social classes, which are the loyal “main class” (tomato), the “wavering class” (apple), and the “hostile class” (grapes). All classes are also divided into 50 groups.
- Tomatoes are red inside and out. These people demonstrated their loyalty to the party. They are more likely to be politicians and military officers.
- Apples are red only on the outside. These people need improvement and are likely to be ordinary citizens.
- The grapes are the ones that break the law. For example, they are citizens who tried to make a call abroad.
This status (songbun) is included in the identification records of all people in the country when they turn 17. It greatly influences a person’s future by choosing their education, career, etc. By the way, North Korean officials deny the existence of a social class divide.
9. Roads
There are almost no roads built in the DPRK. Only 8% of all roads are covered with a solid surface. In fact, this is not a problem for local citizens.
All transportation within the country is controlled by the authorities, and only the military and politicians can buy a car. Others often travel by bicycle.
8. Traffic Ladies
Based on the above fact, of course, there are few stoplights in North Korea. However, big cities still need traffic control. This is usually a job for pretty girls.
A traffic lady must be single and under the age of 26. When you are out of these rules for any parameter, you should abandon your post.
7. Mighty Kim Jong-il
The former North Korean leader was not an ordinary person. His biography (which is a credit course at the school) says he was born on Mount Paektu, and his birth caused a star to light up the sky, and a double rainbow spontaneously appear.
He also learned to walk and talk when he wasn’t even a 1 year old. After his death, the media reported that “layers of ice ruptured with an unprecedentedly loud crack at Chon Lake on Mount Paektu, and a snowstorm with strong winds hit the area.”
However, other sources claim that the leader was born in Vyatskoye (Russia) under the former Soviet Union, where his father tried to hide from the Japanese occupiers. It seems that you decide what is really true.
6. There Are Unicorns
North Korean scientists say unicorns are not imaginary animals. Local archaeologists have found the ancient lair of this mythological creature.
The location is in the country’s capital: Pyongyang. This “magical” discovery certainly increases the social power and patriotism of citizens.
5. Magic Medicine
North Korea claimed to find a “cure” for Mers, AIDS, and Ebola. “Magic” injections also help ease cancer, nausea, and stress caused by working with computers. This medicine includes red ginseng, grown in the Kaesong area, along with gold and platinum.
4. Arirang Festival
Nearly 100,000 people (excluding spectators) participate in the musical dance performance in one of the largest stadiums in the world. The scenes show different sketches, which mainly praise the authorities of a great and powerful country.
The drawing card of the show is the so-called “live screen” (the image above shows the “screen” showing the country’s flag). Thousands of colored cards saved by program participants produce the image and exchange the cards on a special sign. Arirang was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the program with the most participants.
3. Clothes and Fashion
Women in North Korea don’t usually follow international fashion trends, but they still want to look beautiful. They mainly use strict day-to-day combinations, and uniforms can also be worn on a daily basis.
North Korean women have a special kind of love for wearing high heels. They can spend the whole day in those shoes, and it will be the absolute norm.
As for makeup, they just don’t need it, and their everyday life and work don’t require it. Everything changes during national holidays and celebrations: women wear bright makeup and bright national clothes.
2. Leisure Squad
Along with the regular army of soldiers on duty, there is a special leisure team in North Korea. It is made up only of very young girls, and its main job is to accompany high-ranking military personnel in their spare time.
However, these girls are also part of the regular army and must follow all military rules. Officially, they are part of the North Korean military.
1. North Korea is a Happy Country
North Korean scientists conducted research with the following result: The DPRK is one of the happiest countries in the world. To be exact, it is second only to China. On the other hand, the authorities really do many things to make all citizens happy and strengthen their morale.
So this is the North Korean complex. Which fact is the most incredible for you? Do you know some more interesting facts? Share below!
Preview photo credit AFP PHOTO / KCNA VIA KNS
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