North Korea is one of the saddest places in the world where the public undergoes constant oppression and mean leadership by their dictator Kim Jong Un. We have watched movies, probably read books or articles about the place but what is living in North Korea really like?
Unlike North Korea, South Korea is completely joyful and bustling with work, entertainment, technology and opportunities.
The day starts early in the city. Everyone eats standard breakfast which is corn, maize porridge, possibly a boiled egg and sour yogurt and powdered milk for children.
A majority of the population in South Korea is involved in working. 90% of the workforce work in light industries, 80% in rural workforce and 59% of women in white collar-office jobs.
Women are not allowed to dress fancy hence there is very less makeup worn by woman. Only skin lotion, lipstick, eyeliner and lip balm is available for women. Many women wear makeup as they suffer from blotchy skin from the deteriorating diet they are forced to eat. Long hair is common but it is compulsory to tie it up. United hair is frowned upon.
After graduation, the students are forced to work where they are appointed and have no freedom of choice.
8AM: All white collar work begins. Banks, industrial enterprises and businesses operate almost without computers or modern day office technology.
12 PM: Factories and all workplaces for for a lunch break for one hour. The food there is staple for everyone. The canteen serves cheap lunches which is mainly corn based items. There are no food shops and restaurants so it is not very busy during lunchtime as compared to other parts in the world.
There are no luxury shops. There are only shops for basic shoes, furniture, books and electronic devices.
5PM: This is when the work ends for everyone. But that does not mean they can go home. They must remain in the offices for the daily community sessions and learning sessions. In these classes they speak about research and the dictator. Everyone must talk about how they must improve themselves in a so called “Self criticism” class. In December, these meetings are held for longer times.
8PM: By this time, most people go hoe. In winter they wear multiple layers of shirts to preserve body heat. Sometimes during the winter, electricity is suspended due to shortage. They must heat water via coal or fires. There are no telephones or the internet except for high ranking officials for the dictator. Hence the only source of entertainment is either Snooker or visiting friend’s apartments. Everything in the city is related to the dictator. All books, movies, houses of worship. No other second party is allowed to be accepted in the country.
Except Kim Jong Un’s birthday and his families important dates, there are no holidays. Home entertainment consists of watching commemorative celebrations of the dictator and his family. Officials filter out the entire city to suspend any sort of entertainment from the outside world. Possession of foreign books, magazines and newspapers is forbidden. There are however, illegal short radio waves which screen in international media.
10PM: By this time, most people are in bed. Considering that there is no other activity, people live a monotonous lifestyle. North Korea is considered a ghost country with how empty and lifeless it is. The city is very quiet at night and it remains so till 6 AM.
Life is ironically very lifeless in North Korea. People from around the world, especially South Korea are praying for a better fate for the country and its people.
