March 19, 2024

About the author

Ji-Min Kang

Ji-min is an “Ask a North Korean” contributor. He is in his late 20s and left Pyongyang in 2005. He can be reached via email.

More articles by 'Ji-Min Kang'

Ask a North Korean: Called in for questioning by government officials

Ask a North Korean: Called in for questioning by government officials

"Once they take you away to the prison camp, you are never heard from again"

Ask a North Korean: Called in for questioning by government officials
Ji-Min Kang
Ji-Min Kang January 31, 2017
Ask a North Korean: Pop culture and young love in North Korea

Ask a North Korean: Pop culture and young love in North Korea

"If a CD or DVD is found stuck in your player, you’re in deep trouble"

Ask a North Korean: Pop culture and young love in North Korea
Ji-Min Kang
Ji-Min Kang January 24, 2017
Ask a North Korean: Beers with a South Korean defector in Pyongyang

Ask a North Korean: Beers with a South Korean defector in Pyongyang

"According to him, South Korea was a living hell where people couldn’t live"

Ask a North Korean: Beers with a South Korean defector in Pyongyang
Ji-Min Kang
Ji-Min Kang January 17, 2017
Ask a North Korean: Does religion survive in North Korea?

Ask a North Korean: Does religion survive in North Korea?

"The underground church in North Korea has been almost completely destroyed"

Ask a North Korean: Does religion survive in North Korea?
Ji-Min Kang
Ji-Min Kang January 4, 2017
Under wraps: Do North Koreans use condoms?

Under wraps: Do North Koreans use condoms?

They're not widely available, and people don't know how to use the ones that are there

Under wraps: Do North Koreans use condoms?
Ji-Min Kang
Ji-Min Kang April 27, 2016
Why N.Korean defectors leave the South

Why N.Korean defectors leave the South

South Korea's competitive society, judgment of defectors makes living there unbearable for many

Why N.Korean defectors leave the South
Ji-Min Kang
Ji-Min Kang March 18, 2016
What Hanawon doesn’t teach North Korean defectors

What Hanawon doesn’t teach North Korean defectors

Institution gives refugees role models, but skimps on the hardships, discrimination to come

What Hanawon doesn’t teach North Korean defectors
Ji-Min Kang
Ji-Min Kang July 15, 2015
The pro-N. Korea ‘talk concert’ should stop talking

The pro-N. Korea ‘talk concert’ should stop talking

Those who've seen selective sights in North Korea should not ignore those who suffer there

The pro-N. Korea ‘talk concert’ should stop talking
Ji-Min Kang
Ji-Min Kang May 21, 2015
North Korea never misses chance to bash U.S.

North Korea never misses chance to bash U.S.

Regime succeeds in making people fearful, despite inroads made by American pop culture

North Korea never misses chance to bash U.S.
Ji-Min Kang
Ji-Min Kang April 1, 2015
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