Absurdities and curiosities from North Korea
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Even animals are “loyal” – TV shows dog “bowing” to Kim
North Korean television has shown footage of a dog that supposedly bowed its head when it saw Kim Jong-un, in a bid to show that even animals respect the leader.
Foreign sports successes are sometimes shown as North Korean
Korean television sometimes attributes the successes of foreign athletes to its own athletes. Even broadcasts are faked to show that North Korea won.
It is not allowed to have the same name as Kim Jong-un – its use is banned
Citizens cannot have the same name as the leader – the name “Kim Jong-un” has been banned. Anyone who has had it had to change it.
There is a separate “North Korean” operating system – Red Star OS
North Korea has created its own operating system, Red Star OS, which looks like an old version of MacOS. Every file in it has a built-in user tracking mechanism.
Dog soup is considered a delicacy and a cure for the heat
In North Korea, dog soup is considered a special delicacy that supposedly gives strength and helps survive hot days. This tradition is promoted by state media.
No alcohol or dancing allowed on Kim Jong-il’s birthday
Every year on the anniversary of Kim Jong-il’s birthday, there is a total ban on drinking alcohol and organizing parties. It is a day of official mourning and paying tribute to the former leader.
There are fake electronics stores where the equipment “works” only for show
In Pyongyang, there are electronics stores intended for foreign visitors, where the devices are fake. The computers and televisions are on, but you can’t buy anything.
Local newspapers reported that North Korea invented the selfie
According to North Korean media, it was their citizens who were the first in the world to take “handheld” photos. This is part of a broader narrative about the country’s technological superiority.
Every school classroom must have a portrait of Kim Jong-un and Kim Jong-il
Every classroom in North Korea must have a portrait of the leaders. Students are taught to pay tribute to them every day.
Schoolchildren are taught that Kim Jong-il was born under a double rainbow
According to official textbooks, Kim Jong-il was born in the mountains under a double rainbow, and his birth was accompanied by the appearance of a new star in the sky.
Domestic media claims Kim Jong-un can control the weather
State television suggests that Kim Jong-un has godlike abilities – he can allegedly change the weather at will.
Propaganda says the country is “too developed” to need the internet
Citizens are told that the lack of free access to the internet is due to the country’s high level of development. The network is considered unnecessary and “tainted by the West.”
Hospitals often have no electricity – surgeries are performed by candlelight
Power outages mean that surgeries in North Korean hospitals are sometimes performed by candlelight. There is also a shortage of basic medicines and equipment.
Begging is illegal – “because there is no poverty in North Korea
The authorities officially claim that there is no poverty in North Korea, which is why begging is severely punished. Despite this, you can still see people starving on the streets.
Many citizens have never seen a foreigner in person
Most North Koreans have never had contact with foreigners. Their knowledge of the world is based solely on government propaganda.
National television shows action movies from the 1980s as “the latest hits”
The lack of access to modern cinematography means that old movies are broadcast on North Korean television, presented as the latest world productions.
There is one casino – only for foreigners
North Korea has one casino, but admission is strictly limited to foreign guests. Citizens are not allowed to gamble there.
Officially, no one is depressed – it is a “Western disease”
State propaganda claims that depression does not exist in North Korea. It is considered to be an “invention of Western capitalist countries.”
Schools offer lessons on “how to be an ideal citizen.”
As part of school classes, children learn how to be exemplary citizens and unconditionally devoted to their leader. The curriculum includes reciting his speeches.
The state controls who can live in Pyongyang
The capital of North Korea is reserved for loyal citizens, who must receive special permission to live in this prestigious place.
Even “overly cheerful” songs are banned because they can undermine the government’s authority
Some cheerful songs are banned because they are considered a potential threat to the regime’s authority and image.
Kim Jong-un is “never tired,” according to propaganda
The media portray the leader as a person with superhuman endurance who does not feel tired or need to rest.
There are only three TV channels – all propaganda
North Korean television has only three channels, which broadcast only government-approved content, mainly propaganda programs and news.
North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang, is home to the tallest building in the country, the Rjugjong Hotel
Nicknamed the “Hotel of Doom,” the 105-story skyscraper has been unfinished for almost 40 years and has never welcomed a single guest. Completion is estimated to cost about 5% of the country’s GDP.
World’s Largest Stadium
Pyongyang is home to May 1 Stadium, which can hold up to 150,000 people, making it one of the largest stadiums in the world.
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Image Sources: Open AI
