Fact 1: Year 110? Not in North Korea
In North Korea, the calendar isn’t based on what most of the world uses (which is the Gregorian calendar). Instead, their calendar is based on Kim Il-sung’s date of birth: 15 April 1912. Thereby, in North Korea, the year is not 2022, but 110!
Fact 2: Blue Jeans Are Illegal
It might come as a surprise, but North Korea has strict laws about wearing blue jeans. If you wear them, you could be seen as endorsing American imperialism. Instead, citizens tend to wear black, gray, or even white jeans.
Fact 3: Three TV Channels
North Koreans get to choose from not one, not two, but three TV channels. Yet, don't expect any international films. These channels mostly propagate the government's agenda, celebrating its achievements and leaders.
Fact 4: 99% Literacy Rate
Despite a number of harsh realities, North Korea boasts a near 100% literacy rate. Education, which involves learning about the Kim dynasty and rigorous science courses, is compulsory and free.
Fact 5: Potentially No Internet Access
While many of us cannot imagine a life without the internet, in North Korea, only a handful of elite and foreigners have access to the internet. The rest have access only to a national intranet known as Kwangmyong.
Fact 6: Switch Off at Bed Time
The North Korean government strictly controls electricity usage, resulting in blackouts becoming frequent and considerable. Pyongyang, the capital city, is often observed from the space as a lone speck of light in a deep sea of darkness.
Fact 7: Huge Army
Although the country is small, it has one of the world's largest military forces. Its active-duty army stands at an astonishing 1.28 million — fourth only to China, the U.S., and India.
Fact 8: Portraying Its Leaders
In North Korea, it is mandatory for homes to have portraits of its leaders, Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. Care for these portraits is expected and they are to be cleaned regularly.
Fact 9: Only Three Social Classes
North Korean society has a rigid class system. There are three socioeconomic classes: the "core class," the "wavering class," and the "hostile class." These classes are determined by political, social, and economic status.
Fact 10: An Abundance of Monuments
In North Korea, there's an abundant variety of monuments, with over 34,000 statues dedicated to the country's leaders.
Fact 11: State Schools Teach ... Accordion?
In the '90s, accordion playing was included in North Korean school's mandatory curriculum. This instruction lasted for years, earning the accordion the nickname "the people's instrument."
Fact 12: Traffic Girls
In North Korea, many traffic signals were replaced with traffic girls, who stand in the middle of intersections directing cars with precise hand movements. These girls are handpicked, university graduates with beauty being one of the criteria.
Fact 13: Ghost City
Kijong-dong, a village along the border with South Korea, is believed to be a ghost village with no residents. Built solely for propaganda purposes, the houses are devoid of windows and interior rooms.
Fact 14: Pyongyang Metro is One of the Deepest
The capital city’s metro system is one of the deepest in the world. The stations double as bomb shelters and are located 110 meters underground.
Fact 15: World's Largest Stadium
The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is the world's largest stadium by seating capacity. It can hold around 150,000 spectators and is primarily used for soccer and athletic events, and the iconic mass games.
Fact 16: The Plutonium Bomb
North Korea is one of the few nations in the world that has nuclear weapons, and it publicly disclosed its plutonium-based weaponry program in the early 2000s.
Fact 17: The Youngest National Leader
When Kim Jong-un assumed power in 2011, he was only about 27 years old, becoming one of the youngest national leaders in the world.
Fact 18: Kim Jong-il’s Love for Films
The late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il was a known cinephile with an alleged collection of over 20,000 foreign films.
Fact 19: Centenarians Receive a Special Gift
North Koreans who make it to 100 years old receive a special gift from the government - a silver coin to celebrate longevity.
Fact 20: The Most Isolated Country
North Korea, also known as the Hermit Kingdom, is often considered the most isolated country in the world. The government has strict travel restrictions, both for leaving and entering the country.