Fortune-tellers, spirits and ghosts: North Korea's unofficial faith | NK News
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September 24, 2026Sep 24, 2026

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Ask A North Korean

Fortune-tellers, spirits and ghosts: North Korea’s unofficial faith

While authorities do not tolerate official religion, Shamanism and fortune-telling popular in North Korea

Every week we ask a North Korean your questions, giving you the chance to learn more about the country we know so little about.

This week Michael S. in Cambodia asks:

Do North Koreans believe in ghosts, spirits, or hauntings?

North Korea’s ruling principles are based on Juche ideology, which is itself based on Marxist materialism. As you may know, Karl Marx was a sharp critic of organized religion, saying it was “the opium of the people”. In essence then, the basic principles of North Korean socialism are strongly opposed to and incompatible with religious beliefs.

Even though the North