“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 comes from Zohar in Tel Aviv, who asks about how the public utilities sector in North Korea works. 

David — who was born and raised in North Korea and lived there until he defected in 2012  — writes burning wood for heat, relying on wells for water and why he