3. The differences
• Only communist dynasty in history
• Completely closed off borders with very few, highly monitored,
guests over the last 70 years
• Every aspect of daily life is controlled; no freedom of expression or
choice. *CIA.gov
4. History
• *history.comNorth Korea was created in 1945
• Japanese occupied country since 1910
• Divided at 38th parallel, creating the DMZ
• The South was put under US occupation
and the North was under Soviet
occupation
• 1947 Soviets leave when the Democratic People’s
Republic elects soviet backed Kim Il Sung as Prime
Minister
• 1972 Kim became President
5. Kim succession
• Kim Il Sung 1948-1994
• Died on July 8th 1994
• Kim Jung Il 1994-2011
• Died December 2011
• Kim Jung Un 2011-Present
6. industry
• Mostly an industrial society
• Focuses money on improving military
• NK self isolation causes great stress on
economy
• Juchemeaning “self reliance” is NK trade
policy. As alliances with Soviet Russia and
China fall in the 80s, their ability to trade
nearly ends.
7. Military
*7 mill, Guy Delisle: Pyongyang
Largest in the world!
8. Religion
• North Korea is officially an atheist state
• Kim Il Sung’s declared religion as a tool to weaken the
minds of the people.
• Since 1990 -state monitored religious centers
opened
• many speculate that these are just an elaborate
spectacle for aide groups
• Foreign diplomats reported that it felt staged
• NK propaganda was still a large focus of what was
being relayed during services
9. Marriage and family
• Marriage licenses are applied for through the government and are
approved or disapproved based on adequate matching of the couple.
• Matches are based on a lack of ancestral relation and similar social class.
• NK declares itself a classless society yet there seems to be an assumed system
when choosing a mate.
• The class system based on family income level, industry and family loyalty
to the regime.
• For instance a son from a farmers family and the promising daughter of a military
general would not be approved for marriage.
• Upon approval a family is given a
house or an apartment
• Approval can sometimes take months or
years. A marriage between higher-ranking
officials takes priority and will be sped up.
10. Education
• In 1975 state run education becomes free from preschool
through year 11 *BBC News.com
• College is accessible to better paid families and children
deemed exceptionally gifted
• Material taught focuses on Kim Il Sung’s written books
that propagates a continued allegiance to the party
• No books, movies, news media or technology outside of
the censored party material is allowed into NK
• Vocab commonly used includes revolution, communism,
or anti-imperialism and avoids themes deemed
inappropriate including sex and freedom.
11. Fashion and arts
• Clothing is regulated and specific to industry or activity such as
military dress, factory clothing or school uniforms
• Plain, modest and colors are usually reds, blues and grays.
• Art includes paintings, sculptures and theatrical works all
centered around North Korean propaganda
• *Every culture.com-No
single artist is allowed personal recognition
• Themes include Kim Il Sung’s mythological birth, anti-American
ideas and NK prosperity
12. food
• White rice and meat soup were a diet
staple but with recent bouts of starvation many have
survived on tree bark and grass soup
• -Years of flooding, famine and government
*Time Magazine
refusal of foreign aid has caused thousands to starve to
death or die of poisoning from indigestible wild
mushrooms.
• Higher ranking officials = larger rations and more variety
including alcohol, candy and fresh fruits
• Most have never had candy, alcohol, fruit or even
seasonings *Hyok Kang – This Is Paradise!
13. communication
• Interpersonal Communication style similar to South Koreans *KWetiquite.com
• Direct, honest but respectful
• Seconds are refused
• Up to 30min late
• Eldest enter first but bow last
• Women are outspoken and only flirtatious in certain jobs
• Communication outside of NK is strictly forbidden
• Free speech
• In 2008 short range cell phones were introduced and in 2011 access to
government control internet was accessible to a few NK citizens.
• Naenara.kp is the NK official state run internet site
• The site consists of propaganda and poorly adhered to government policies
spouting freedom and prosperity
