the Western world has very limited exposure to Asia and the lifestyle that exists there we have no idea what is going on in North Korea also known as the Democratic Republic of Korea since the Korean War's Armistice in 1953 North Korea has taken great satisfaction in keeping its people off from the outside world the nation is so closed off and run by megalomaniacs and paranoid leaders that the only descriptions of what happens there are from spies and terrifying Tales from defectors all that is known about North Korea is what its government permits here are the
top 15 most bizarre things found only in North [Music] Korea number one traffic ladies in the bustling streets of Pyongyang North Korea's capital a unique and captivating site has captured the attention of visitors and locals alike impeccably addressed young women directing traffic these women formerly known as traffic security officers have been a part of pyongyang's urban landscape since the 1980s they are selected from the ranks of the country's police force based on specific criteria such as age height and physical appearance candidates must be between 16 and 26 years old at least 1.65 M tall and
have an attractive and pleasant demeanor in addition to these requirements they must also demonstrate loyalty to the ruling party possess a clean family background and be unmarried once selected the traffic ladies undergo rigorous training to master the various hand signals and gestures used to direct traffic their movements are characterized by their Precision fluidity and Grace as they effortlessly guide cars buses and bicycles through the busy intersections of the city they are equipped with batons whistles and traffic paddles to Aid in their duties and they rotate positions every 30 minutes to maintain alertness and focus the
traffic ladies are an iconic symbol of North Korea's unique blend of authority Beauty and order they are a source of Pride for the country and they play an important role in keeping the streets safe and orderly the traffic ladies of Pyongyang wear functional and Visually appealing uniforms they represent discipline public service and Beauty they work long hours in harsh conditions and are a source of Fascination for foreign visitors they are a captivating embodiment of North Korea's unique blend of authority order and Beauty number two three generation punishment policy the controversial three generation punishment policy a
system of collective punishment that targets not just the accused but also their entire family for up to three generations is one of the most horrifying and upsetting features of North Korean Society this program which is grounded in the country's stress on Conformity and group responsibility is a potent tool of control and repression for the ruling regime the three-generation punishment program was implemented as part of North Korea's larger system of political repression under the rule of the country's founding leader Kim ilung the theory in question states that a person's activities especially those that are considered to
be crimes against the state or its leaders are thought to reflect the moral and political values of their entire family consequently when someone is charged with a political crime their parents children and even grandchildren could also receive punishment the three generation policy has harsh penalties that range from public executions to imprisonment in labor camps where inmates endure torture forced labor starvation and disease families of the accused are frequently forcibly relocated to these camps where they may spend the rest of their lives the approach effectively prevents dissent and opposition to the dict Ator ship because people
are fearful of what might happen to their loved ones if they are found to be disloyal the North Korean government maintains a high level of control over the populace and suppresses any potential threats to its Authority for those who have managed to escape by instilling a profound sense of fear and paranoia among its inhabitants the three generation punishment rule continues to serve as a chilling reminder of the wrongs and cruelties Meed out to their family defectors frequently share share terrifying Tales of their time spent in labor camps being separated from their loved ones and the
realization that their families are still suffering as a result of their escape number three fake City in the Korean demilitarized zone DMZ a seemingly typical town called kij Jong dong is also known as the propaganda Town although completely deserted it acts as a facade for North Korea's development and prosperity in the south the 1950s saw the separation of the peninsula into North and South due to the Korean War which inspired the creation of this odd structure the purpose of kij Jong dong was to use the promise of a better life to entice Southern defectors as
part of a psychological warfare strategy kij Jong dong appears to be a contemporary Village from a distance complete with school Buildings Department buildings and even a hospital the building's vibrant exteriors and consistent upkeep give the impression that the village is inhabited however closer examination reveals that the structures are nothing else but empty concrete constructs with painted windows and no evidence of Life inside their walls the government keeps everything up to date The Village a ghost town that even goes as far as toggling lights on and off to imitate activity has emerged as a symbol of
North Korea's fixation with image and control because it gives the outside world the impression that the country is making progress despite its lack of actual progress chilling emptiness kij Jong dong is a crucial component of North Korean propaganda together with this auditory barrage kij Jong dong is home to one of the tallest flag poles in the world measuring 160 m in height and proudly flying the North Korean flag this imposing building is a testament to the country's resolve to assert its power and presence in the area the heavily defended DMZ where kijong dong is situated
spans 250 km across the Korean Peninsula and acts as a buffer zone between the two koreas ironically though because of the area's sparse human population it is turned into a Haven for Animals kij Jong dong is a mysterious Village that stands as a reminder of the ongoing hostilities between the North and the South it is not the only fake city in North Korea but it is the most well-known one due to its advantageous location within the DMZ tourist s visiting the DMZ frequently observe kij Jong dong through binoculars in the hopes of catching a glimpse
of this mysterious Village the North Korean regime has a history of building elaborate facades known as pemin villages in an effort to mislead others and project an image of prosperity and progress this tactic is meant to intimidate its adversaries as well as to maintain the loyalty and support of its citizens by sustaining the myth of a prosperous and Powerful Nation number four peculiar time zone another peculiar feature of Korea is its time zone Pyongyang time or Korean Standard Time which emphasizes its seclusion and distinct character prior to the formation of Pyongyang time North Korea decided
to set its clocks back by 30 minutes on August 15th 2015 establishing a time zone that is different from both its neighbors South Korea and Japan as well as the rest of the globe the decision to switch to UTC c+9 was declared by the North Korean government as a way to distance itself from Japan which had colonized the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945 previously North Korea shared this time zone with South Korea and Japan North Korea attempted to express its national identity and Independence while also symbolically erasing the effects of Japanese imperialism by switching
back to a time zone that was in use before Japanese colonization for the country and its dealers with the outside world for example the adoption of pongyang time has had a range of practical repercussions businesses and organizations operating on the Korean Peninsula have had difficulties as a result of North Korea's distinct time zone since they have to modify their schedules and Communications to account for the time difference International Travelers have also faced difficulties as a result of the time zone change because they must take into account the 30-minute difference when booking flights trains and other
means of transportation number five the rayong hotel the Rong hotel is a 105 story skyscraper in Pyongyang North Korea that has been under construction since 1987 construction of what was to have been the highest hotel in the world at the time was put on hold in 1992 due to financial issues the rayong hotel is still closed and there are various theories as to why some claim that the structure of the skyscraper is weak and that it cannot survive natural calamities like earthquakes according to reports there were numerous problems with the hotel's construction including the use
of subpar materials and shoddy workmanship these stated flaws reflect doubt about the building's stability and safety which may be the cause of its lack of visitors others contend that the hotel's debut was delayed due to a lack of funding and the lack of an appropriate foreign partner to oversee operations although the North Korean dictatorship has contacted a number of upscale Hotel groups including kinsky no agreement has been reached locating a partner to manage the hotel appears to be difficult due to persistent economic sanctions and restricted International engagement the hotel's astounding 3,000 rooms and array of
amenities which include conference rooms and rotating eateries point to a great concept that has not yet been achieved the ryugyong hotel continues to Intrigue observers and off for a singular view into the complexity of North Korea regardless of whether the hotel will ever open its doors number six prohibition on blue jeans and western clothing North Korea has a state controlled economy and the government tightly controls all aspects of life including fashion the country has a dress code that emphasizes conservative and modest clothing with a preference for traditional Korean attire North Koreans are expected to dress
in a way that reflects the country socialist values and promotes unity and Conformity blue jeans and other western clothing are seen as symbols of capitalist culture and are therefore discouraged the North Korean government has also been known to use restrictions on western clothing as a way to control the flow of information and ideas from outside the country by limiting access to western clothing the government can limit exposure to Western culture and ideas that it sees as a threat to its socialist ideology overall while there may be no official prohibition on blue jeans and western clothing
in North Korea the government does discourage their use and limits their availability as a way to maintain control over its society and limit exposure to outside influences number seven State controlled haircuts to retain control over its citizens and sustain the regime's reputation the state strictly controls personal grooming and appearance the state sanctioned haircuts which set the country's acceptable hairstyles for men and women in accordance with state regulations are one of the strangest and most striking aspects of this control these hairstyles vary in style but are often short and modest with longer hair being seen as
a symbol of capitalist decadence and moral corruption men often have neat short haircuts with hair that isn't longer than 5 cm 2 in and side Burns that are trimmed over the ears one of the most popular hairstyles for men in North Korea is the hairstyle warn by the country's leader Kim Jong-un for women acceptable hairstyles depend on factors like age and marital status married women are permitted to use a restricted number of hair decorations and may have slightly longer hair than unmarried women while unmarried women are required to keep their hair short and modest generally
women's hair should not be colored or permed because these Trends are thought to be influenced by Western culture and pose a threat to the country's ideological Purity the state enforces its mandatory hair cuts through frequent inspections and initiatives launched by local community organizations and government Representatives hair salons and barber shops are required to show posters and photographs of the authorized hairstyles and those who fail to do so risk penalties criticism or even public humiliation number eight the cult of personality and the Eternal Leaders The Cult of Personality that surrounds North Korean society's ruling family the
Kims is one of its defining traits the regime has meticulously created and sustained the veneration and mythology around its leaders over the past seven decades depicting them as deity likee beings and everlasting Guardians Of The Nation this Cult of Personality which permeates every facet of daily life in North Korea serves as a means of both social and political control and is a reflection of the country's distinct political and social environment the core of this personality cult known as the Great lead leader or Eternal president is Kim ilung the country's founder he is regarded as a
deity likee character who founded and raised the country by himself his pictures are displayed on public structures monuments and Residences and the political philosophy of the nation known as ju is based on the beliefs and philosophies he espouses his successors Kim Jong-il the Beloved leader and Perpetual General Secretary and Kim Jong-un the present leader of North Korea are also held in high regard the Kim Dynasty is the subject of a complex and comprehensive mythology that includes Tales of their births lives and accomplishments that are both Supernatural and miraculous for instance it is said that Kim
Jong Il was born under a double rainbow was able to control the weather and never needed to use the restroom it is also said that Kim Jong-un was able to drive a car at the age of three well that's for the North Koreans to deal with number nine North Korean Computing system and internet first of all the Democratic Republic of Korea strictly regulates and oversees its inhabitants access to information in order to even own a computer you must have special government authorization and each computer is registered with the police as if it were a potentially
Lethal Weapon the internet in Korea is different from the rest of the world since only a small fraction of the population uses computer Laboratories in offices universities and cyber cafes in major cities Quang Mong also known as bright star is a domestic internet that runs on illegally imported Microsoft software and resembles the internet from 1994 most people and institutions use this free network to access the internet which provides access to the global internet for a select group of users what what subject are you studying uh I'm I'm learning computer technology computer technology however since 2016
users have only been able to access less than 30 websites an American engineer accidentally discovered the list of websites that North Korea allows its citizens to view which revealed that most of the content is propaganda with some recipes North Korean movies and information about government Commerce and tourism some academic institutions such as Pyongyang University of Science and Technology offer access to the global internet but access through this channel is controlled number 10 no religious freedom unlike other parts of the world there is no religious freedom in North Korea the government of North Korea is officially
atheist and it actively suppresses all forms of religion the country's leadership promotes a personality cult around the ruling Kim family and the ideology of uch which emphasizes self-reliance and loyalty to the state the North Korean government considers any religious activity to be a Potential Threat to the state's control over its citizens and the country as a whole the government views religion as a Western influence that is incompatible with its socialist ideology and a potential source of dissent religious practices such as attending church or participating in religious ceremonies are illegal in North Korea the government has
been known to arrest detain and even execute people for practicing religion or expressing religious beliefs Christians and other religious minori ities face particularly harsh persecution with reports of individuals being imprisoned tortured or killed for their beliefs the government also closely monitors its citizens for any signs of religious activity and promotes a culture of informance encouraging people to report any suspicious Behavior to the authorities in all there is no religious freedom in North Korea and the government actively suppresses all forms of religion in order to maintain its control over the country and its citizens number 11
no freedom of movement the North Korean government tightly controls the movement of its citizens within the country and restricts their ability to travel outside of it the government requires citizens to obtain permission to travel within the country and they must carry identification papers that state their place of residence and work traveling outside of one's assigned area without permission is illegal and can result in severe punishments including imprisonment and forced labor the government also restricts international travel and most North Koreans are not allowed to leave the country only a small number of North Koreans are granted
permission to travel abroad and even then they are closely monitored by the government these restrictions on movement are part of the government's efforts to maintain control over its citizens and to prevent the spread of information and ideas that it sees as a threat to its socialist ideology the government views unrestricted movement as a potential source of dissent and a way for citizens to learn about the outside world and compare their living conditions with those in other countries number 12 the sanction on disrespect the North Korean government has strict laws and regulations regarding the behavior and
conduct of its citizens including rules about showing respect for the country's leaders and symbols in North Korea disrespecting the country's leaders symbols or ideology can result in severe punishment including imprisonment forced labor and even execution for example it is a criminal offense to deface or damage images of the country's leaders including statues portraits and other representations the government also prohibits any kind of criticism or negative comments about the country's leaders or their policies Additionally the North Korean government requires citizens to participate in various public events and celebrations that promote loyalty to the state and its
IDE theology failure to attend or participate in these events can also be seen as a sign of disrespect and can result in punishment these strict laws and regulations on disrespect serve as a means of maintaining the government's control over its citizens and promoting loyalty to the state and its leaders the government views any form of dissent or criticism as a Potential Threat to its power and take steps to suppress it through strict laws and punishments number 13 restricted Airwaves the North Korean government strictly controls all forms of media including radio and television broadcasting the country
has a state controlled media system with all media Outlets owned and operated by the government the government heavily censors all content ensuring that it aligns with the country's socialist ideology and promotes loyalty to the state and its leaders North Korean citizens are only allowed to listen to and watch State controlled media channels which broadcast propaganda and state approved content the government prohibits citizens from accessing foreign media including radio and television broadcasts from outside the country the restrictions on Airwaves along with the government's tight control over all forms of media serve to limit the flow of
information and ideas from outside the country the government views unrestricted access to foreign media as a Potential Threat to its socialist ideology and a way for citizens to learn about the outside world and compare their living conditions with those in other countries in summary the North Korean government strictly controls all forms of media including radio and television broadcasting and restricts access to foreign media and the internet these restrictions serve to limit the flow of information and ideas from outside the country and promote loyalty to the state and its leaders number 14 the depression of K-pop
the North Korean government has long been known for its strict control over culture and entertainment including music movies and television shows the government has historically promoted traditional Korean music and art forms while restricting access to foreign cultural influences including K-pop in recent years K-pop has gained popularity around the world including in South Korea which is North Korea's neighboring country however the North Korean government has been known to suppress K-pop within its borders citing concerns about the influence of foreign culture on its citizens the government fears that the popularity of K-pop and other forms of South
Korean entertainment could lead to a loss of control over the minds of its citizens despite the government's efforts to suppress K-pop and other forms of foreign entertainment there have been reports of North Korean citizens secretly listening to and watching K-pop and other South Korean media some North Koreans have even been caught smuggling in South South Korean music and movies risking severe punishment if caught number 15 no international calls lastly it is important to note that international calls are heavily restricted in North Korea the North Korean government tightly controls all forms of communication within the country
including phone and internet access and restricts access to information from outside the country however international calls can only be made with government permission and the of cell phones is heavily restricted only a very small percentage of the North Korean population has access to a mobile phone and those who do are limited to making calls within the country and cannot access the internet or make international calls without government permission the government also strictly controls landline phone use and international calls can only be made from designated phone lines that are closely monitored by the government the high
cost of international calls and and The Limited availability of international phone lines also make it difficult for most North Koreans to communicate with people outside the country the North Korean government's strict control over communication serves as a means of maintaining its power and preventing its citizens from accessing information that might contradict the government's propaganda or challenge its socialist ideology the government views unrestricted communication as a Potential Threat to its control over its citizens and actively Works to suppress it
