Book review: A South Korean recounts what it’s like to commute to North Korea



Opinion Book review: A South Korean recounts what it’s like to commute to North Korea Kim Min-ju offers a firsthand account of daily life and culture clashes while working at the Kaesong Industrial Complex Stephen Mercado January 17, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON North Koreans traveling on a bus \| Image: NK News (Oct. 2016) What happens when a young idealist from South Korea takes a job managing a dining facility in one of the most unusual workplaces in the world — the now-shuttered Kaesong Industrial Complex in North Korea? In “Commuting to North Korea,” author Kim Min-ju offers a rare, firsthand look at the clashing mentalities of northerners and southerners, the daily struggles of workers on both sides and the tightly controlled environment of the joint venture meant to bridge a divided peninsula. What happens when a young idealist from South Korea takes a job managing a dining facility in one of the most unusual workplaces in the world — the now-shuttered Kaesong Industrial Complex in North Korea? In “Commuting to North Korea,” author Kim Min-ju offers a rare, firsthand look at the clashing mentalities of northerners and southerners, the daily struggles of workers on both sides and the tightly controlled environment of the joint venture meant to bridge a divided peninsula. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period 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

Opinion

Book review: A South Korean recounts what it’s like to commute to North Korea

Kim Min-ju offers a firsthand account of daily life and culture clashes while working at the Kaesong Industrial Complex

Stephen Mercado January 17, 2025

Book review: A South Korean recounts what it’s like to commute to North Korea

North Koreans traveling on a bus | Image: NK News (Oct. 2016)

What happens when a young idealist from South Korea takes a job managing a dining facility in one of the most unusual workplaces in the world — the now-shuttered Kaesong Industrial Complex in North Korea?

In “Commuting to North Korea,” author Kim Min-ju offers a rare, firsthand look at the clashing mentalities of northerners and southerners, the daily struggles of workers on both sides and the tightly controlled environment of the joint venture meant to bridge a divided peninsula.

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Book review: A South Korean recounts what it’s like to commute to North Korea

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