May 02, 2024

Ask A North Korean

Your chance to ask questions to North Koreans about life growing up in the DPRK

Ask a North Korean: What impact do defectors have on North Korean society?

Ask a North Korean: What impact do defectors have on North Korean society?

"The families and relatives of defectors, who were once despised, are now admired"

Ask a North Korean: What impact do defectors have on North Korean society?
Tae-il Shim October 1, 2019
Ask a North Korean: what kind of traditional culture still exists in the DPRK?

Ask a North Korean: what kind of traditional culture still exists in the DPRK?

"Stop laughing and listen! This fortuneteller is really good, she figures things out well"

Ask a North Korean: what kind of traditional culture still exists in the DPRK?
In-hua Kim September 12, 2019
Ask a North Korean: What is the ‘songbun’ system like under Kim Jong Un?

Ask a North Korean: What is the ‘songbun’ system like under Kim Jong Un?

"The songbun system exists in name only for many"

Ask a North Korean: What is the ‘songbun’ system like under Kim Jong Un?
Tae-il Shim September 5, 2019
Ask a North Korean: how did N. Koreans react to Moon’s 2018 visit to Pyongyang?

Ask a North Korean: how did N. Koreans react to Moon’s 2018 visit to Pyongyang?

"Whether it's a summit with the U.S. or South Korea, people just dismiss it as political theater"

Ask a North Korean: how did N. Koreans react to Moon’s 2018 visit to Pyongyang?
In-hua Kim August 28, 2019
Ask a North Korean: smuggling goods and helping escapees across the Yalu River

Ask a North Korean: smuggling goods and helping escapees across the Yalu River

"God, please help me live. Help me not get washed away by the force of the current...."

Ask a North Korean: smuggling goods and helping escapees across the Yalu River
Tae-il Shim August 21, 2019
Ask a North Korean: is anyone genuinely loyal to the ruling Kims anymore?

Ask a North Korean: is anyone genuinely loyal to the ruling Kims anymore?

"With my body in chains, I learned that the culprits of our suffering were the incapable leadership"

Ask a North Korean: is anyone genuinely loyal to the ruling Kims anymore?
In-hua Kim August 12, 2019
Ask a North Korean: introducing the “Smuggler Kingpin” of Hyesan

Ask a North Korean: introducing the “Smuggler Kingpin” of Hyesan

The story of our second new contributor, from starving taekwondo teacher to TV smuggler

Ask a North Korean: introducing the “Smuggler Kingpin” of Hyesan
Tae-il Shim August 2, 2019
Ask a North Korean: from middle-class life to famine and freedom

Ask a North Korean: from middle-class life to famine and freedom

Introducing a new writer, a former resident of Hyesan, Ryanggang-do

Ask a North Korean: from middle-class life to famine and freedom
In-hua Kim July 17, 2019
Inter-Korean family reunions: a defector’s perspective

Inter-Korean family reunions: a defector’s perspective

"If it took these people 70 years, how long will it take for me to see my family in the North?"

Inter-Korean family reunions: a defector’s perspective
Sarah Han August 23, 2018
Ask a North Korean: how do you feel about Moon Jae-in’s policies so far?

Ask a North Korean: how do you feel about Moon Jae-in’s policies so far?

"I'm the very first in my family to publicly and freely write about my leader"

Ask a North Korean: how do you feel about Moon Jae-in’s policies so far?
Park Ui-sung June 29, 2018
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