March 19, 2024

About the author

Je Son Lee

Je son is an “Ask a North Korean” contributor. She is in her late 20s and left Mt. Paektu in 2011. She can be reached via email.

More articles by 'Je Son Lee'

Ask a North Korean: on writing about the North as a defector

Ask a North Korean: on writing about the North as a defector

"Give the gift of abundance and freedom to North Koreans"

Ask a North Korean: on writing about the North as a defector
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee October 25, 2017
Ask a North Korean: How common is abortion in North Korea?

Ask a North Korean: How common is abortion in North Korea?

"Lack of knowledge about birth control means that many women suffer from unplanned pregnancies"

Ask a North Korean: How common is abortion in North Korea?
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee July 6, 2017
Ask a North Korean: Do women smoke in North Korea?

Ask a North Korean: Do women smoke in North Korea?

"Until 2005, it was inconceivable for North Koreans to think that young women could smoke"

Ask a North Korean: Do women smoke in North Korea?
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee June 28, 2017
Ask a North Korean: Do women wear high heels in North Korea?

Ask a North Korean: Do women wear high heels in North Korea?

"They were so pretty, but it was painful to walk in them"

Ask a North Korean: Do women wear high heels in North Korea?
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee May 8, 2017
Ask a North Korean: Where do North Koreans get their hair cut?

Ask a North Korean: Where do North Koreans get their hair cut?

"Hairstyles people see in South Korean dramas are regarded to be stylish in North Korea"

Ask a North Korean: Where do North Koreans get their hair cut?
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee March 22, 2017
Ask a North Korean: Why does North Korea use such a unique calendar?

Ask a North Korean: Why does North Korea use such a unique calendar?

"As a young girl, I always thought that referring to the year as the Juche year seemed more elegant"

Ask a North Korean: Why does North Korea use such a unique calendar?
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee March 2, 2017
Ask a North Korean: How are public baths different in the North?

Ask a North Korean: How are public baths different in the North?

"The idea of paying someone else to scrub your body is still foreign to many North Koreans"

Ask a North Korean: How are public baths different in the North?
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee February 15, 2017
Ask a North Korean: How do North Korea’s traffic laws work?

Ask a North Korean: How do North Korea’s traffic laws work?

"In most regions outside of Pyongyang, there isn’t much traffic at all and traffic lights are rare"

Ask a North Korean: How do North Korea’s traffic laws work?
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee January 9, 2017
Ask a North Korean: Do North Koreans like reading books?

Ask a North Korean: Do North Koreans like reading books?

"Among the books I read in North Korea, Sherlock Holmes was my favorite"

Ask a North Korean: Do North Koreans like reading books?
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee November 22, 2016
Ask a North Korean: What is married life like in North Korea?

Ask a North Korean: What is married life like in North Korea?

In the DPRK, who you marry is all about status - but times are changing

Ask a North Korean: What is married life like in North Korea?
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee October 31, 2016
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