Ask a North Korean: What happens when you get injured and can’t work? | NK News
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October 03, 2026Oct 03, 2026

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Ask A North Korean

Ask a North Korean: What happens when you get injured and can’t work?

A defector recalls the challenges he faced after a bike accident, including demands that he pay to take time off

“Ask a North Korean” is an NK News series featuring interviews with and columns by North Korean defectors, most of whom 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: What happens when you get injured and can’t work?

Jin Ju-dong — who was born and raised in North Korea and defected during the pandemic — writes about how a bike accident sidelined him from work and dealt a huge blow to his family’s financial situation.

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