"Kings of the country": growing up in North Korea isn't always as bad as you'd think



Features “Kings of the country”: growing up in North Korea isn’t always as bad as you’d think Children in the DPRK enjoy more freedom and less mollycoddling from parents than kids in the West Tatiana Gabroussenko September 18, 2019 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON NK News The idea of a happy childhood, and of children being "the only kings of the country," is a core concept in North Korean propaganda. Official media brags about free school education and afterschool activities, free medical service, school uniform and textbooks distributed by the state, well-organized orphanages, and the absence of corporal punishments in North Korean schools. The idea of a happy childhood, and of children being "the only kings of the country," is a core concept in North Korean propaganda. Official media brags about free school education and afterschool activities, free medical service, school uniform and textbooks distributed by the state, well-organized orphanages, and the absence of corporal punishments in North Korean schools. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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“Kings of the country”: growing up in North Korea isn’t always as bad as you’d think

Children in the DPRK enjoy more freedom and less mollycoddling from parents than kids in the West

Tatiana Gabroussenko September 18, 2019

“Kings of the country”: growing up in North Korea isn’t always as bad as you’d think

NK News

The idea of a happy childhood, and of children being "the only kings of the country," is a core concept in North Korean propaganda.

Official media brags about free school education and afterschool activities, free medical service, school uniform and textbooks distributed by the state, well-organized orphanages, and the absence of corporal punishments in North Korean schools.

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Tatiana Gabroussenko

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