April 25, 2024

About the author

Je Son Lee

Je son is an “Ask a North Korean” contributor. She is in her late 20s and left Mt. Paektu in 2011. She can be reached via email.

More articles by 'Je Son Lee'

Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think of life in Seoul?

Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think of life in Seoul?

"The Seoul accent is sweet enough to warm you up whenever you get to hear it"

Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think of life in Seoul?
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee October 21, 2016
Chinese cheese and Russian butter: How to eat dairy in North Korea

Chinese cheese and Russian butter: How to eat dairy in North Korea

Do you eat dairy products such as milk, cheese and butter in North Korea, too ?

Chinese cheese and Russian butter: How to eat dairy in North Korea
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee August 29, 2016
The Ramen regime: A seven day diet in North Korea

The Ramen regime: A seven day diet in North Korea

"Ramen was actually seen as a diet food by people in my region of North Korea"

The Ramen regime: A seven day diet in North Korea
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee July 29, 2016
In North Korea it’s no trousers or tank tops allowed

In North Korea it’s no trousers or tank tops allowed

Women in the North face a number of rules, inconsistently applied, but nonetheless bothersome

In North Korea it’s no trousers or tank tops allowed
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee June 28, 2016
Vets for no pets? What N.Koreans do with sick animals

Vets for no pets? What N.Koreans do with sick animals

Shortage of doctors – of all sorts – means different approach must be taken to treating animals

Vets for no pets? What N.Koreans do with sick animals
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee June 8, 2016
What a North Korean thinks of South Korean elections

What a North Korean thinks of South Korean elections

The fact that someone can promise something they won't, or can't, deliver is the most shocking part

What a North Korean thinks of South Korean elections
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee May 10, 2016
North Korea’s ‘reusable’ sanitary pads

North Korea’s ‘reusable’ sanitary pads

Re-using sanitary napkins at that time every month the hardest part of a woman's life in the North

North Korea’s ‘reusable’ sanitary pads
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee April 19, 2016
In Juche North Korea, elections hold you

In Juche North Korea, elections hold you

Election day may be a festive occasion, but it's hardly the people choosing their own leaders

In Juche North Korea, elections hold you
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee April 6, 2016
North Korea’s crazy trains

North Korea’s crazy trains

The North's trains are packed, take too long and short on food - and wonderful in their own way

North Korea’s crazy trains
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee March 2, 2016
I’m sad to see the Kaesong Complex go

I’m sad to see the Kaesong Complex go

Kaesong offered a better life for North Koreans, and its loss will hit S.Korean businesspeople hard

I’m sad to see the Kaesong Complex go
Je Son Lee
Je Son Lee February 16, 2016