Ask A North Korean: What is the role of ‘People's Units’ in North Korea | NK News
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September 16, 2026Sep 16, 2026

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Ask A North Korean

Ask A North Korean: What is the role of ‘People’s Units’ in North Korea

Rose shares her experience dealing with ‘inminban’ and the role they play in the lives of everyday North Koreans

“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 are the roles of inminban in North Korea?

Rose — who was born and raised in North Korea and lived there until she defected in 2019 — writes about the “People’s Unit” and the tasks these groups are associated with.

Got a question for Rose? Email it to