September 26, 2023

About the author

Jin

Jin is a pseudonym for a North Korean defector writer. She was born and raised in North Korea and lived there until she defected in 2014. She now resides in South Korea.

More articles by 'Jin'

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’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: Do teenagers deal with issues like bullying and drug use?

Ask a North Korean: Do teenagers deal with issues like bullying and drug use?

Juvenile delinquency appears far less common than in other countries, but this doesn’t mean DPRK youth have it better

Ask a North Korean: Do teenagers deal with issues like bullying and drug use?
Jin June 9, 2023
Settling in Seoul: What is it like to speak to South Koreans about North Korea?

Settling in Seoul: What is it like to speak to South Koreans about North Korea?

People in the DPRK are curious about the far wealthier South, but the interest doesn’t always go in the other direction

Settling in Seoul: What is it like to speak to South Koreans about North Korea?
Jin May 22, 2023
Ask a North Korean: What is it like to raise a child in the DPRK?

Ask a North Korean: What is it like to raise a child in the DPRK?

Mothers do the best they can for their children but face challenges ranging from poor health care to paying for school

Ask a North Korean: What is it like to raise a child in the DPRK?
Jin April 13, 2023
Settling in Seoul: A North Korean surfs the internet for the first time

Settling in Seoul: A North Korean surfs the internet for the first time

Online world can be overwhelming at first, but defectors quickly discover value of access to a world of information

Settling in Seoul: A North Korean surfs the internet for the first time
Jin March 23, 2023
Ask a North Korean: What snacks are most popular in the DPRK?

Ask a North Korean: What snacks are most popular in the DPRK?

The state gives out low-quality sweets on major holidays, but what people really covet are imported treats from abroad

Ask a North Korean: What snacks are most popular in the DPRK?
Jin February 24, 2023
Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think of foreign countries?

Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think of foreign countries?

Schools teach very little about the outside world as Kim regime focuses on nurturing pride for the DPRK above all

Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think of foreign countries?
Jin January 27, 2023
Ask a North Korean: What are the most popular university majors?

Ask a North Korean: What are the most popular university majors?

Most North Koreans have little choice over their course of study, unless they can pay hefty bribes

Ask a North Korean: What are the most popular university majors?
Jin December 8, 2022
Ask a North Korean: What are weddings like in the DPRK?

Ask a North Korean: What are weddings like in the DPRK?

Ceremonies are simple affairs quite different from those in South, while food is an important part of the ritual

Ask a North Korean: What are weddings like in the DPRK?
Jin November 17, 2022