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.
The young girl has joined her father at multiple events, and it’s clear that she’s far from a normal North Korean child
Artists have little say over what they perform, and they must make immense personal sacrifices to practice their craft
Most in DPRK worry about whether they can eat rather than what, but some dishes still elicit nostalgia for defectors
Juvenile delinquency appears far less common than in other countries, but this doesn’t mean DPRK youth have it better
People in the DPRK are curious about the far wealthier South, but the interest doesn’t always go in the other direction
Mothers do the best they can for their children but face challenges ranging from poor health care to paying for school
Online world can be overwhelming at first, but defectors quickly discover value of access to a world of information
The state gives out low-quality sweets on major holidays, but what people really covet are imported treats from abroad
Schools teach very little about the outside world as Kim regime focuses on nurturing pride for the DPRK above all
Most North Koreans have little choice over their course of study, unless they can pay hefty bribes
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