Andrei Lankov is a Director at NK News and writes exclusively for the site as one of the world's leading authorities on North Korea. A graduate of Leningrad State University, he attended Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung University from 1984-5 - an experience you can read about here. In addition to his writing, he is also a Professor at Kookmin University.
Foreign students, even from Pyongyang’s supposed allies, had their activities severely curtailed in the 1980s
A few clubs, hotels, travel opportunities cater to expats facing crippling boredom
Most university students came to Pyongyang for the Korean language, but got limited interaction
Lankov says life for a foreign visitor in 1980s Pyongyang had its own pleasures, amusements
By providing kickbacks, foreign currency to the state, money-making enterprises thrive in ‘Stalinist’ state
The informal economy means young people have other options for success
Discontent about leadership may portend change in years to come
Political and technological reasons might mean another test imminent
Thanks to black market, official salaries provide very poor barometer
How a major market for antiques made smugglers brave execution
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