About the author
More articles by 'Rose'
Behind the photos: A North Korean defector reflects on life in her old hometown
Rose shares her insights into life for residents in North Hamgyong, ranging from daily struggles to rare delicacies
Ask A North Korean: How do North Koreans manage their time?
Rose writes about how ‘unimportant’ the concept of time is to citizens and why punctuality is not a thing in North Korea
Ask a North Korean: What are friendships like in the DPRK?
A defector writes about her difficulties making friends and why keeping secrets is so important for relationships
Ask a North Korean: Can North Korean couples get divorced?
DPRK society has become more accepting of divorce over the years, but this hasn’t made getting one much easier
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: 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: 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: What are ideological study sessions like?
A defector writes about taking notes for hours to prove her loyalty, memorizing the leader’s speeches and more
Ask a North Korean: Do North Koreans believe in God?
A DPRK escapee writes about the fatal consequences citizens face if they are found to worship the wrong religion
Settling in Seoul: What a North Korean escapee thinks of South Korean politics
DPRK’s ‘revolutionary’ politics left no room for choice, but ROK’s democratic system can be bewildering for defectors
