Surprisingly, pot is not considered an illegal substance in the otherwise strict country. Darmon Richter made sure to take pictures of his purchase while in North Korea.
North Korea bases its calendar on Kim Il-Sung’s date of birth: 15 April 1912.
North Korea hands out ballots with only one option on them, so votes swing, you guessed it, 100% for the leader.
Police control all traffic within the city. There isn’t much due to the fact that only military personnel can own vehicles.
The Rungnado May Day stadium has more than 150,000 seats and houses the extravagant Mass Games.
If one person violates a law or is sent to prison camp, it affects their whole family. Grandparents, parents, and children of the violator are sent to work with them.
In the 1990s all teachers were required to learn how to play accordions. Today, many citizens continue to specialize in the instrument.
As a way to intimidate South Korea and put on a front, Kijong-dong (Peace Village) was built after the Korean War.
Although the document points out freedom of expression, democratic voting, and the freedom of religion, the country is far from it.
Nabbing him and his wife, Kim Jong-il forced Shin Sang-ok to make films under his reign. Luckily, the director successfully escaped years later.
After seeing Godzilla, Kim Jong-Il wanted his own propaganda-laden masterpiece using none other than Shin Sang-ok.
Kim Il-sung will always be considered North Korea’s eternal leader, even though his heirs have taken the reigns.
Apparently the leader had a taste for the brandy.
The Korean Central News Agency claims scientists have discovered a unicorn burial ground.
The country boasts its literacy rate is on par with the U.S.
Pyongyang has three fun fairs, some with less than optimal rides and technology.
Kim Jong-il’s body is preserved in a glass tomb for anyone, including outside tourists, to see.
Some include four-pointers (if a three-pointer never touches the rim) and points deducted for missed free throws.
After the Korean War, Joseph Dresnok crossed over the mine-laden border into North Korea. He met three other U.S. soldiers doing the same thing. However, Dresnok was the only one who chose to stay. He admitted, “I feel at home…I wouldn’t trade it for nothing.”
Two of which are only available on weekends, while the other is broadcast in the evenings. Because of this, South Korean soap operas are among the most popular items smuggled in.
Although this may be true, the vast majority of the food does not go directly to its citizens.
North Korea claims to operate under the “Juche” ideology, or “man is the master of everything and decides everything.”
All students are expected to pay for basically everything but the teacher, causing some parents to secretly pull their children from school.
Pyongyang, one of North Korea’s only cities, is home to three million people, but only the elite. Only trustworthy, healthy, and loyal citizens can live there.
Because of its lack of resources, North Korea was forced to use human feces as fertilizer, demanding the product from its citizens.
A growing number of prisoners continue to fill the estimated 16 work camps.
This means half of the 24 million people don’t even have access to basic human needs.
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#6 - as described, that would be four generations of punishment.
#25 - China does the same thing in some regions.
Not mentioned - only about 600 people have access to the internet in N. Korea.