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More articles by 'Taylor Darby'
A diplomat’s life: Christmas in North Korea has lots of lights but little cheer
While foreigners can celebrate privately, Dec. 25 is just another cold winter’s day for the rest of the country
A diplomat’s life: Parting advice for those going to work in North Korea
Foreigners must learn to accept the political system but remain critical, while caring for their own mental health
A diplomat’s life: The mundane, ordinary routines of the North Korean people
For most in Pyongyang, worshipping the Kim family is just a part of the 9-to-5 grind
The good, the bad and the memorable of expat life in North Korea
The system is stifling for Koreans and foreigners alike, but human interactions carry one through difficulties
A diplomat’s life: On the ground in Pyongyang during the ‘fire and fury’ era
North Koreans in the capital city seemed to genuinely believe conflict could break out at anytime
A diplomat’s life: Tight schedules and resort-like thrills touring North Korea
State travel agencies plan every detail of visitors’ itineraries, careful to show only the best it has to offer
A diplomat’s life: Navigating North Korea’s complex travel permission system
North Korea’s extreme social controls mean a complex process for any travel request, even for foreign diplomats
A diplomat’s life: Pyongyang meals for diners with adventurous palates
From Korean hot pot to sturgeon blood, the DPRK capital has a range of restaurant options beyond just burgers and pizza
A diplomat’s life: Dining on pizza and ‘meat in bread’ in Pyongyang restaurants
A handful of specialty eateries serve international fare, but many locals stick to kimchi and Korean classics
A diplomat’s life: The ephemeral beauty of concrete Pyongyang
North Korean builders are highly skilled, but erratic leadership priorities and few materials make for an unsafe skyline
