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’s question is:

Do North Koreans get regular health checkups? And what did you think of the state of their health care system while you were there?

Honestly, I don’t think I ever heard the phrase “regular health checkup” in North Korea. Regular health checkups weren’t very common in my hometown. You would just go to see a doctor in town when you felt ill. Of course, everything – all the treatments and surgery –