Ask A North Korean
Your chance to ask questions to North Koreans about life growing up in the DPRK
Ask a North Korean: What do socialism and capitalism mean to you?
A defector shares what DPRK taught him about equality and how living in South Korea has shaped his views on capitalism
Ask a North Korean: What is it like to be a musician in North Korea?
Artists have little say over what they perform, and they must make immense personal sacrifices to practice their craft
Ask a North Korean: What are self-criticism sessions really like?
Joshua Kim explains why citizens must criticize themselves and others and gives an example of what this looks like
Ask a North Korean: What’s different about food in North and South Korea?
Most in DPRK worry about whether they can eat rather than what, but some dishes still elicit nostalgia for defectors
Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think about war?
The DPRK extols its ‘victory’ in Korean War, but ordinary soldiers must confront harsh reality of potential conflict
Settling in Seoul: The movies and books that influenced a North Korean escapee
The Kim regime heavily restricts artists, but South Korean culture shines a light on what the Koreas share in common
Ask a North Korean: Are alcoholism and drunk driving major problems in the DPRK?
The regime treats drinking as a ‘political cancer,’ but alcohol is the only way for many to escape their harsh reality
Ask a North Korean: What did state propaganda teach you about love?
While praising sacrificial love between comrades, schools discourage romance and treat it as taboo
Ask a North Korean: Why are there so many farms raising the slippery loach fish?
The mudfish is a key income source for many, but the state promotes such aquaculture even in ill-suited environments
Settling in Seoul: How have you changed 10 years after escaping North Korea?
Without friends or family, one defector reached a breaking point before resolving to build a life he could be proud of
