About the author
More articles by 'Alek Sigley'
Ask a North Korean: Do North Koreans go to the dentist?
A defector explains why many must procure their own implants, the growing popularity of teeth whitening and more
Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think about different car brands?
Defector from an elite family explains the DPRK’s love of foreign cars, why so many drive wood-powered vehicles and more
Ask a North Korean: How do North Koreans get a driver’s license?
Fuel shortages mean most get little driving practice before hitting the road, but there are ways to cheat the system
Ask a North Korean: Do North Koreans like to go camping?
Travel restrictions mostly rule out leisure camping, but there are other ways people spend time in the great outdoors
Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think of regime sympathizers?
Former Pyongyang elite says few care about overseas supporters and responds to those who doubt defector stories
Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think about traveling abroad?
Visiting another country is an unattainable dream for most, but there are ways for a fortunate few to holiday overseas
Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans typically eat?
Most eat simple Korean fare, but restaurants have also exploded in popularity among those who can afford to eat out
Ask a North Korean: Do North Koreans believe in UFOs?
Schools only briefly cover astronomy, and most people are too focused on surviving to care about speculative science
Ask a North Korean: How do North Koreans care for their mental health?
The state views mental illness as an ideological problem, and North Koreans lack access to therapy and medical treatment
Dining out in the DPRK capital: Pyongyang’s (surprisingly) good restaurants
As consumer choice for the upper classes has grown, so too have options for eating out
