The question of ‘What Time is it in North Korea now?’ is one that has churned the imagination for many decades. North Korea is a secretive nation located in East Asia, completely isolated from the rest of the world and its activities very hard to pin down. However, it is important to acknowledge that the clock keeps running and the sun always rises and sets in this distant land. Thus, it is imperative to try and get a glimpse into the mysterious timetables in North Korea and understand what time it is now.
The official time zone of North Korea is Korea Standard Time (KST), a time zone 9 hours ahead of UTC. The KST is the same time zone as Japan Standard Time, which is the time zone all of Japan follows. North Korea, isolated as it is, follows the same time zone and, at the time of writing, the exact time in North Korea is 8.49 PM KST. Even during daylight savings time, the country fails to adopt the time shift, citing old communist traditions and a lack of modern technology as the primary reason.
While some officials in North Korea have called for the use of UTC+8 – the same one as China – in order to promote better relations with its neighbor, the after-effects of this switch are still in contention. A radical shift like this would not only affect the lives of North Koreans at a deep level but also put their international economic ties in flux. Because of this, the DPRK has not implemented it yet.
Some experts argue that the adherence to the KST by North Korea is indicative of its stance towards the outside world. The country’s extreme isolation and addiction to secrecy mean that it rhymes better with the flow of the KST. It is almost as if it suits the country’s hidden nature to stay off the world’s radar while the clock ticks by.
In addition, it is well-known that the modern concept of time zones is a Western convention, since it was the UK that proposed this system when the nation went through massive industrializations in the 19th century. North Korea, as a strictly communist country, is insistent on not adhering to a convention that is considered a ‘capitalist principle’.
Despite North Korea’s lack of time zone switching, the influence of modern technology can still be felt on a large part of the country. Much of the population, especially the younger generations, have smartphones and access to the internet, which means they can follow the news and be aware of the latest happenings outside their own country. Also, most citizens of Pyongyang are able to know the time from many sophisticated clocks placed in different parts of the capital.
Finally, it is important to note that the KST is not without its own strange rhythms. Technically, there is no such thing as a ‘North Korean midday’ since the country does not practice daylight savings times. As a result, the sunrise-sunset timings can be off by up to 45 minutes all around the year! Nonetheless, North Koreans continue to follow the KST, understanding that keeping their time the same as the rest of Asia is the most practical way of dealing with their enigmatic station.
Measuring Time in North Korea
Measuring time is an old yet crucial part of understanding time. In North Korea, it is customary to measure time in solar years, months, days and hours, following the same systems as most of East Asia. The modern use of calendars is also employed, although the country’s calendar starts from 1912 – the year of its first ruler Kim Il-sung’s birth.
Ever since its beginning, North Korea has adopted the 60-minute hour system for its clock. This older system was inherited from the Chinese, with an hour of total 12 segments and each segment having 5 minutes in it. The distinct feature of this system is that the hour is divided into two parts, the ‘dragon hour’ and the ‘fighting hour’. Beyond this, there are 24 different names for hours, each having their own poetic charm and mystical aura.
Living Conditions in North Korea and Impact on Time Perception
Living conditions in North Korea are dire, even by the country’s own standards. The state rations are meager and the people are not allowed to travel freely, usually having to stay put in a particular village or city. Not only is this a human rights violation, but the losses incurred due to the lack of freedom for people to travel and explore often make them feel as if time has almost stopped.
Additionally missing out on important moments due to restrictions put in place by the government often leads to a ‘lost sense of time’ amongst citizens. This emphasises the human need to measure time in order to make sense of ourselves and the world around us. Even with such strict controlling imposed upon the people, they still thrive to maintain a connection with time, albeit in secretive ways.
The Use of Clocks in North Korea
Clocks are a major part of North Korean culture, used prominently in its capital Pyongyang during official occasions and celebratory events. Generally framed within a social-political context, the clocks are typically large and ornate, designed to symbolise matters of importance such as the country’s independence, its revolutionary history and emerging power. The most iconic clock in the city is the Grand People’s Study House clock, 77 metres in diameter and located just outside Kim Il-sung Square.
Interestingly, clocks were even used as instruments of propaganda during the 1970s and 1980s as citizens were bombarded with political messages every hour. However, with the advent of modern technology, the role of clocks in the country has slowly shifted from a purely political tool to a more mainstream use. Nowadays, simple clocks can be seen all around North Korea, worn as ornaments and hung on school walls to keep track of time.
Time Zones and North Korea in the International Sphere
Time zones are a fascinating subject, one that affects us all and consequently has implications in the international sphere. North Korea, due to its controversial regime, is a perennial point of contention between the global powers and its refusal to acknowledge a universal time zone has only heightened this friction. Every year, leaders of the nations meeting at the United Nations fume at the prospect of North Korea failing to act responsibly on a global scale and adjust its clocks accordingly.
Further, North Korea’s unwavering attitude with respect to time zones leads to major complications in coordinating transactions with foreign businesses and even in matters of international peacekeeping, leading to a loss of trust and confidence from its neighbor countries.
A Look into North Korean Society Through its Timetables
It may seem strange, but a look into North Korean society through its timetables is warranted if one ever wants to understand the culture of the nation and its people. North Korea’s reluctance to join the modern world and shift its clocks may be seen as an act of stubbornness, but it could also be interpreted as a form of resistance against Western influence. No matter what interpretation we choose, the question of ‘What Time Is It In North Korea Now?’is still, understandably, a valid one.
From the way people spend their days and go to bed to the lack of daylight savings time, the North Koreans give us a demonstration of their unwillingness to depend on anything Western. Because of this, they are able to enjoy living and feeling their own way, leading their everyday lives in a manner that best suits their beliefs, regardless of what the rest of the world is doing.
Conclusion
North Korea has been blazing its own unique trail ever since its inception and its refusal to shift to a globally accepted time zone is testament to its secretive nature. Nonetheless, it is undeniable that the clocks in North Korea measure the same hours and minutes as the rest of the world. So, to answer the question of ‘What Time Is It In North Korea Now?’, the answer is 8.49 PM KST (Korea Standard Time).
