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

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

Today’s question is from Chris in Washington, D.C., who asks how North Korea views the medieval Joseon dynasty, which ruled Korea from the end of the 14th century to the late 1800s. After all, unlike South Korea, North Korea still calls itself “Joseon” in Korean – is there any reason for this?

In-hua Kim –who