Ask A North Korean | NK News
NK News Logo
October 14, 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 do socialism and capitalism mean to you?

Ask a North Korean: What do socialism and capitalism mean to you?

A defector shares what DPRK taught him about equality and how living in South Korea has shaped his views on capitalism

Ask a North Korean: What do socialism and capitalism mean to you?
David September 15, 2023
Ask a North Korean: What is it like to be a musician in North Korea?

Ask a North Korean: What is it like to be a musician in North Korea?

Artists have little say over what they perform, and they must make immense personal sacrifices to practice their craft

Ask a North Korean: What is it like to be a musician in North Korea?
Jin September 4, 2023
Ask a North Korean: What are self-criticism sessions really like?

Ask a North Korean: What are self-criticism sessions really like?

Joshua Kim explains why citizens must criticize themselves and others and gives an example of what this looks like

Ask a North Korean: What are self-criticism sessions really like?
Joshua Kim August 18, 2023
Ask a North Korean: What’s different about food in North and South Korea?

Ask a North Korean: What’s different about food in North and South Korea?

Most in DPRK worry about whether they can eat rather than what, but some dishes still elicit nostalgia for defectors

Ask a North Korean: What’s different about food in North and South Korea?
Jin August 7, 2023
Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think about war?

Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think about war?

The DPRK extols its ‘victory’ in Korean War, but ordinary soldiers must confront harsh reality of potential conflict

Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think about war?
David July 27, 2023
Settling in Seoul: The movies and books that influenced a North Korean escapee

Settling in Seoul: The movies and books that influenced a North Korean escapee

The Kim regime heavily restricts artists, but South Korean culture shines a light on what the Koreas share in common

Settling in Seoul: The movies and books that influenced a North Korean escapee
Sersong Han July 21, 2023
Ask a North Korean: Are alcoholism and drunk driving major problems in the DPRK?

Ask a North Korean: Are alcoholism and drunk driving major problems in the DPRK?

The regime treats drinking as a ‘political cancer,’ but alcohol is the only way for many to escape their harsh reality

Ask a North Korean: Are alcoholism and drunk driving major problems in the DPRK?
Joshua Kim July 14, 2023
Ask a North Korean: What did state propaganda teach you about love?

Ask a North Korean: What did state propaganda teach you about love?

While praising sacrificial love between comrades, schools discourage romance and treat it as taboo

Ask a North Korean: What did state propaganda teach you about love?
Rose July 7, 2023
Ask a North Korean: Why are there so many farms raising the slippery loach fish?

Ask a North Korean: Why are there so many farms raising the slippery loach fish?

The mudfish is a key income source for many, but the state promotes such aquaculture even in ill-suited environments

Ask a North Korean: Why are there so many farms raising the slippery loach fish?
Joshua Kim July 4, 2023
Settling in Seoul: How have you changed 10 years after escaping North Korea?

Settling in Seoul: How have you changed 10 years after escaping North Korea?

Without friends or family, one defector reached a breaking point before resolving to build a life he could be proud of

Settling in Seoul: How have you changed 10 years after escaping North Korea?
David June 28, 2023
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 31