About the author
More articles by 'Joshua Kim'
Ask a North Korean: What was it like to travel abroad for the first time?
Joshua Kim writes about marveling at Incheon airport, how Vietnam reminded him of the DPRK and more
Ask a North Korean: What are popular sayings and proverbs in the DPRK?
Everyday expressions offer a window into how North Koreans think and see the world
Ask a North Korean: How did you learn to use a computer?
Schools provide limited computer education to most students, and buying one requires submitting to strict state controls
Ask a North Korean: Were you exposed to outside information in the DPRK?
Unapproved information reaches most corners of North Korea through fliers, radio broadcasts and even shark balloons
Ask a North Korean: What’s the restaurant scene like in the DPRK?
Few outside the capital can afford to eat out, while the most popular eateries are run out of people’s homes
Ask a North Korean: How common are extramarital affairs?
Strict rules that discourage divorce by party officials have the side effect of encouraging infidelity
Ask a North Korean: Do North Koreans have different regional accents?
Authorities insist everyone speak standardized language, but people actually use a range of slang, profanity and accents
Ask a North Korean: How much crime is there in the DPRK?
Theft and other crime occurs in North Korea like any other country, but the state is selective in what it punishes
Settling in Seoul: How a North Korean defector found a second family on Chuseok
The joy of the holiday mingles with sadness of family separation for those who can’t visit hometowns and loved ones
Ask a North Korean: How do you buy contraception in North Korea?
The lack of sex education in the country means many have little knowledge about how to prevent pregnancy
