Ask a North Korean: Do North Koreans go to the dentist?



Ask A North Korean Ask a North Korean: Do North Koreans go to the dentist? A defector explains why many must procure their own implants, the growing popularity of teeth whitening and more Alek Sigley \| Hyun-seung Lee June 1, 2022 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A smiling Kim Il Sung mosaic fresco at a Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia exhibition in Pyongyang \| Image: Eric Lafforgue (April 25, 2010) “Ask a North Korean” is an *NK News* series featuring interviews with and columns by North Korean defectors, most of who left the DPRK within the last few years. Readers may submit their questions for defectors by emailing [email protected] and including their first name and city of residence. Today’s question is all about teeth and oral health: Are there dentists in North Korea? Hyun-seung Lee — who comes from an elite North Korean family and defected in 2014 — spoke with NK News about the most popular car brands in the country, the use of wood-powered vehicles and why there’s © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

Ask A North Korean

Ask a North Korean: Do North Koreans go to the dentist?

A defector explains why many must procure their own implants, the growing popularity of teeth whitening and more

Alek Sigley | Hyun-seung Lee June 1, 2022

Ask a North Korean: Do North Koreans go to the dentist?

A smiling Kim Il Sung mosaic fresco at a Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia exhibition in Pyongyang | Image: Eric Lafforgue (April 25, 2010)

“Ask a North Korean” is an NK News series featuring interviews with and columns by North Korean defectors, most of who left the DPRK within the last few years.

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

Today’s question is all about teeth and oral health: Are there dentists in North Korea?

Hyun-seung Lee — who comes from an elite North Korean family and defected in 2014 — spoke with NK News about the most popular car brands in the country, the use of wood-powered vehicles and why there’s

About the Authors

Alek Sigley

Alek Sigley is a PhD student at Stanford University's Modern Thought and Literature program, where he is writing a dissertation on North Korea. From 2018-2019 he studied for a master's degree in contemporary North Korean fiction at Kim Il Sung University's College of Literature. He speaks Mandarin, Korean and Japanese. Follow him on Twitter.

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Hyun-seung Lee

Hyun-Seung Lee is a former DPRK businessman. He served as a Special Forces sergeant in the army and led the Kim Il-sung Socialist Youth League branch in Dalian, China, before defecting with his family in 2014, following Kim Jong Un's sweeping political purges. From South Korea to the United States, Lee remains involved in North Korean affairs — founding the North Korean Young Leaders Assembly and as lead strategist at the Global Peace Foundation. He co-hosts the Pyonghattan YouTube channel with his sister, bringing firsthand insight on the regime. He received a master's degree in public administration from Columbia University.

View more articles by Hyun-seung Lee Got a news tip?Let us know!