North Korea

A Country : A Culture Hidden From View

The differences

• Only communist dynasty in history

• Completely closed off borders with very few, highly monitored, guests over the last 70 years

• Every aspect of daily life is controlled; no freedom of expression or choice. *CIA.gov

History

• *history.com North Korea was created in 1945 • Japanese occupied country since 1910

• Divided at 38th parallel, creating the DMZ

• The South was put under US occupation and the North was under Soviet occupation

• 1947 Soviets leave when the Democratic People’s Republic elects soviet backed Kim Il Sung as Prime Minister

• 1972 Kim became President

Kim succession

• Kim Il Sung 1948-1994 • Died on July 8th 1994

• Kim Jung Il 1994-2011 • Died December 2011

• Kim Jung Un 2011-Present

industry

• Mostly an industrial society

• Focuses money on improving military

• NK self isolation causes great stress on economy

• Juche meaning “self reliance” is NK trade policy. As alliances with Soviet Russia and China fall in the 80s, their ability to trade nearly ends.

Military

Largest in the world!

*7 mill, Guy Delisle: Pyongyang

Religion

• North Korea is officially an atheist state• Kim Il Sung’s declared religion as a tool to

weaken the minds of the people.

• Since 1990 -state monitored religious centers opened• many speculate that these are just an elaborate

spectacle for aide groups

• Foreign diplomats reported that it felt staged

• NK propaganda was still a large focus of what was being relayed during services

Marriage and family

• Marriage licenses are applied for through the government and are approved or disapproved based on adequate matching of the couple.

• Matches are based on a lack of ancestral relation and similar social class. • NK declares itself a classless society yet there seems to be an assumed

system when choosing a mate.

• The class system based on family income level, industry and family loyalty to the regime. • For instance a son from a farmers family and the promising daughter of

a military general would not be approved for marriage.

• Upon approval a family is given a house or an apartment • Approval can sometimes take months or

years. A marriage between higher-ranking officials takes priority and will be sped up.

Education

• In 1975 state run education becomes free from preschool through year 11 *BBC News.com

• College is accessible to better paid families and children deemed exceptionally gifted

• Material taught focuses on Kim Il Sung’s written books that propagates a continued allegiance to the party

• No books, movies, news media or technology outside of the censored party material is allowed into NK

• Vocab commonly used includes revolution, communism, or anti-imperialism and avoids themes deemed inappropriate including sex and freedom.

Fashion and arts

• Clothing is regulated and specific to industry or activity such as military dress, factory clothing or school uniforms • Plain, modest and colors are usually reds, blues and grays.

• Art includes paintings, sculptures and theatrical works all centered around North Korean propaganda• *Every culture.com -No single artist is allowed personal

recognition• Themes include Kim Il Sung’s mythological birth, anti-American

ideas and NK prosperity

food

• White rice and meat soup were a dietstaple but with recent bouts of starvation many have survived on tree bark and grass soup

• *Time Magazine -Years of flooding, famine and government refusal of foreign aid has caused thousands to starve to death or die of poisoning from indigestible wild mushrooms.

• Higher ranking officials = larger rations and more variety including alcohol, candy and fresh fruits

• Most have never had candy, alcohol, fruit or even seasonings *Hyok Kang – This Is Paradise!

communication

• Interpersonal Communication style similar to South Koreans *KWetiquite.com

• Direct, honest but respectful • Seconds are refused• Up to 30min late• Eldest enter first but bow last• Women are outspoken and only flirtatious in certain jobs

• Communication outside of NK is strictly forbidden

• Free speech

• In 2008 short range cell phones were introduced and in 2011 access to government control internet was accessible to a few NK citizens. • Naenara.kp is the NK official state run internet site• The site consists of propaganda and poorly adhered to government

policies spouting freedom and prosperity

Future