Ask A North Korean
Your chance to ask questions to North Koreans about life growing up in the DPRK
Ask a North Korean: What are working hours like in the DPRK?
The state frames labor as a form of war and gives workers little rest, wringing out everything it can from citizens
Ask a North Korean: What is it like to work as an overseas laborer in Russia?
A former worker in Far East details why the regime sends citizens abroad and a typical day on a construction site
Ask a North Korean: How do North Koreans interact with nature?
An escapee writes about the devastation of the DPRK environment and why few people think about conservation
Ask a North Korean: Behind the scenes of wedding shoots for the DPRK’s new rich
A former videographer writes about how couples spent days filming videos before crackdown on ‘anti-socialist’ practice
Ask a North Korean: What games do children play in North Korea?
A defector writes about the popularity of card, board and smartphone games and why he used to love flying kites
Ask a North Korean: What was it like playing soccer professionally in the DPRK?
A defector writes about his training schedule and the hurdles he faced trying to represent his country
Ask a North Korean: Does the DPRK have digital payment systems?
Services have cropped up for transferring money and making payments, but distrust in banks poses obstacles to their use
Ask a North Korean: Why a DPRK laborer in Russia decided to defect
A recent defector writes about growing disillusioned during 90s famine and how pandemic pushed him to make a break
Ask A North Korean: Do North Koreans celebrate Western holidays?
A defector writes about her memories of festivities in the DPRK and her first experience of Valentine’s Day
Ask a North Korean: Do North Koreans get tattoos?
Ink is common among older generations, but usually as a way to show loyalty rather than as a form of self-expression
