April 20, 2024

About the author

Kim Yoo-sung

Kim Yoo-sung is an Ask a North Korean contributor who left Gil-joo County of Hamkyungbuk-do, DPRK in 2005

More articles by 'Kim Yoo-sung'

Read my lips: Don’t believe North Korea’s ‘no taxes’ talk

Read my lips: Don’t believe North Korea’s ‘no taxes’ talk

Officially banned since '74, taxes still hit North Koreans in different forms

Read my lips: Don’t believe North Korea’s ‘no taxes’ talk
Kim Yoo-sung
Kim Yoo-sung April 24, 2015
After 60 years of division, how do North Koreans say ‘tractor?’

After 60 years of division, how do North Koreans say ‘tractor?’

Among other differences, North Koreans have little use for loanwords, even from Chinese

After 60 years of division, how do North Koreans say ‘tractor?’
Kim Yoo-sung
Kim Yoo-sung March 25, 2015
Studying abroad with your family held hostage

Studying abroad with your family held hostage

Few North Koreans can go to foreign countries at all, and those who do leave family behind as leverage

Studying abroad with your family held hostage
Kim Yoo-sung
Kim Yoo-sung March 5, 2015
Is no news good news in North Korea?

Is no news good news in North Korea?

Northerners are blocked from exposure to international news, even in the black market

Is no news good news in North Korea?
Kim Yoo-sung
Kim Yoo-sung February 26, 2015
Studying a foreign language you may never use

Studying a foreign language you may never use

All North Korean students have to learn a second language, only the privileged classes may put them to use

Studying a foreign language you may never use
Kim Yoo-sung
Kim Yoo-sung February 4, 2015
Defector: Why balloons stand no chance of changing North Korea

Defector: Why balloons stand no chance of changing North Korea

Foreigners expecting anti-government leaflets to stimulate regime change misunderstand the realities of North Korea

Defector: Why balloons stand no chance of changing North Korea
Kim Yoo-sung
Kim Yoo-sung December 2, 2014
News and newsworthiness in N. Korea: Why it doesn’t exist

News and newsworthiness in N. Korea: Why it doesn’t exist

Why real news about crime, catastrophe and corruption does not exist in DPRK media

News and newsworthiness in N. Korea: Why it doesn’t exist
Kim Yoo-sung
Kim Yoo-sung November 3, 2014
Ask a North Korean: Meet Kim Yoo-sung, son of a fugitive

Ask a North Korean: Meet Kim Yoo-sung, son of a fugitive

"My father secretly helped a South Korean prisoner from the Korean War escape from the North"

Ask a North Korean: Meet Kim Yoo-sung, son of a fugitive
Kim Yoo-sung
Kim Yoo-sung October 31, 2014