“Ask a North Korean” is an NK News column penned by North Korean defectors, most of whom left the DPRK in the last few years.

Readers may submit their questions to defectors by emailing [email protected] and including their first name and city of residence.

This week’s question comes from Sven Nätzker in Germany, who asks to what extent movement is restricted in North Korea.

It’s widely known that not all North Koreans can go to or live in certain areas, but just how minutely do the authorities micromanage people’s movement? Is it just at the regional level, or are North