North Korea is a country notorious for its nuclear threats, political tension, and Kim Jong-un's authoritarian rule. Those who have successfully escaped or visited North Korea share fascinating facts about the country, from fake villages to unbelievable stories about Kim Jong-un. Let's delve into some of them.

Leaflets to North Korea

Activists in South Korea often use balloons to send messages to North Korea. These balloons carry messages critical of the North Korean government and are sent to North Korea. When the balloons burst, not only the critical messages but also information and news from the outside world are introduced into North Korea. In response, North Korea sent balloons filled with trash to the south, containing disgusting items like used toilet paper.

Propaganda Posters

Propaganda posters are often seen on the streets of North Korea. These posters serve as one of the propaganda tools of the North Korean government. They emphasize the greatness of Kim Jong-un and his family, or often depict characters representing South Korea and the United States in a violent manner. In the North Korean education system, students are indoctrinated through these posters, accepting idealized images as part of their education.

Propaganda is the deliberate manipulation of public opinion to influence people's judgments or actions in a specific direction. It originally stemmed from the meaning of spreading faith, but after World War I, it took on a negative connotation as political regime propaganda.

Kim Jong-un's Amazing Skills

Inside North Korea, various legends and stories about Kim Jong-un circulate. Some of these stories relate to Kim Jong-un's unbelievable skills and achievements. For instance, there are rumors that Kim Jong-un doesn't use the toilet, and recently, a textbook even included a story about him driving a car at the tender age of three.

Lincoln's Letter

North Korea sometimes attracts international attention through bizarre promotions and propaganda. One such case occurred in 2016 when they fabricated a letter addressed to President Barack Obama, using the name of President Abraham Lincoln. This seemed like an attempt to intensify criticism of the US government and president.

Unicorn Lair

In 2012, North Korea announced the discovery of a "unicorn lair" in Pyongyang. This announcement sparked various stories about the mysterious discovery within North Korea.

Fake Cheerleaders

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, it was revealed that North Korea's cheerleading squad was not comprised of North Koreans but thousands of Chinese actors who were paid to participate. This is interpreted as an attempt by the North Korean government to promote its image to the outside world by dispatching a cheerleading squad to international events, as they do not allow their citizens to travel freely.

Socialist Godzilla

Kim Jong-il of North Korea was a film enthusiast and attempted to produce films with socialist themes for North Korean propaganda purposes. He kidnapped Shin Sang-ok, a renowned South Korean film director, for this purpose. This incident, involving the kidnapping of a foreign director by North Korea in 1978, became famous. Shin Sang-ok attempted to escape and was sentenced to four years in prison, where he subsisted on a diet of grass, salt, and rice. He later produced a film called Pulgasari based on Godzilla.

Ambitious Hairstyle

North Korean citizens are said to choose their hairstyles from a catalog of 28 different styles. Kim Jong-un's hairstyle, known as the "ambitious hairstyle," is quite popular in North Korea. Adopting this hairstyle is considered an act of imitating their leader.

North Korean Time

In 2015, North Korea introduced its own time called "Pyongyang Time," which is 30 minutes ahead of world standard time and is used only in North Korea. Moreover, their calendar is based on the year Kim Il-sung, North Korea's first leader, was born, making 2023 the year 112 of the Juche calendar.

Fake Village

Peace Village, located within the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), is one of the crucial spots dividing South Korea and North Korea. However, it is isolated from the outside world and known as a peculiar place built for appearances, with no inhabitants. Speculations suggest that this village is a strategy to attract defectors from South Korea.

North Korea remains a politically closed nation with many mysteries and unique facts. These stories provide fascinating insights into North Korean culture and society.