When you visit North Korea, you are most likely to be told by your guides and minders that all the living houses in this country belong to the state. According to the oft-repeated official story, that first build the first quality houses and then benevolently distributes available living space to the hardworking citizens of North Korea. The exemplary shock workers, you are likely to be assumed, might be given some preferential treatment, but generally the distribution is equal and fair, done in accordance with one’s family needs.

However, like many other things you might hear while in North Korea,