North Korea has been a long-standing source of intrigue and mystery to the rest of the world. Long cloaked in secrecy and surrounded with tales of famine, mass displacement and political repression, it has so far remained isolated from its neighbouring countries. This article aims to examine what everyday life is like for people living in North Korea, as well as the physical, economic and political realities of life in the Hermit Kingdom.
State media does not give an accurate account of the situation on the ground. However, life expectancy in North Korea is estimated to be around 72-73 years, compared to the global average of 72.6 years, indicating a high standard of life is maintained for its citizens. In addition, North Korea is the only country in the world to have achieved complete gender equality according to the World Gender Equality Index. This is largely attributed to its free healthcare, guaranteeing childcare and education up to the tertiary level.
In spite of the high life expectancy and equal rights, the people of North Korea live under a totalitarian regime, which is notorious for its human rights abuses. This creates an atmosphere of extreme political and social control, with severe curbs on freedom of expression, education and culture. The government also tightly controls access to the Internet and foreign media, making it difficult to assess the true situation in the country.
What is clear, is that North Korea remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with 45.5 percent of its population living below the poverty line. The economy has also been acutely impacted by UN sanctions, which have limited its access to international markets and caused enormous amounts of economic hardship.
Although the regime has made strides in improving the lives of North Koreans, the centralised control and lack of freedom remain hallmarks of life in North Korea. Poverty and economic hardship are an everyday reality, and food and other essential supplies remain scarce. This has led to a large number of North Koreans fleeing the country in search of better opportunities elsewhere.
While it is impossible for an outsider to truly understand what life is like in North Korea, experts suggest that the political, social and economic circumstances of life there are so severe and oppressive, that many of its citizens are left with little choice but to endure the situation.
Factors That Influence People Living In North Korea
Life in North Korea is highly influenced by the government and its oppressive policies. A major factor that influences life in the country is censorship. All media is tightly controlled by the state, in order to suppress freedom of expression and the dissemination of information.
The government also heavily restricts people’s access to the internet, blocking foreign websites and severely limiting people’s ability to communicate with individuals outside of North Korea. As a result, a lack of reliable information makes it difficult for North Koreans to find out about the world outside of the country, as well as the situation inside North Korea.
The economy is a significant factor that affects North Koreans living within the country. After the breakdown of trading relations with the Soviet Union, North Korea has had to rely heavily on parts of the international community for food and other essential goods. This has made life extremely difficult for many North Koreans, as food shortages and economic hardship remain persistent and pervasive issues.
Another factor that affects life in North Korea is the human rights situation. North Koreans live under an oppressive regime, which severely restricts their rights and freedoms. Reports of unlawful arrests and executions of political opponents, as well as restrictions on freedom of movement, make life extremely difficult for many in the country.
Economic Challenges That People Face In North Korea
The economy of North Korea is highly centralised and strictly controlled by the state. This means that citizens have limited access to goods and services, as well as private sector investment. This has created an economy that is largely dependent on trade with other countries, mostly through dark markets, which are often subject to frequent price increases.
The flipside to this is that the burgeoning dark markets have provided some relief for citizens, as goods have become more accessible. However, these markets remain unregulated and goods are often of unreliable quality. This makes life more difficult for North Koreans, as goods are often unaffordable and inaccessible.
The North Korean government also heavily restricts access to the Internet, making it extremely difficult for citizens to access global markets and goods. This has resulted in a lack of economic incentives and opportunities, leading to a general decline in the standard of living as prices rise.
Moreover, foreign investments are largely restricted due to the long-standing embargo on North Korea, which has meant that many investors have been reluctant to engage with the country. This has significantly hindered the nation’s development, making it difficult for citizens to access basic services and goods.
Sanctions and North Korea In The Global Community
The United Nations has long implemented economic and diplomatic sanctions against North Korea, in order to bring its nuclear programme under control. These sanctions have had a significant impact on the country, as they have restricted its access to international markets and goods, as well as international aid. In addition, the sanctions have had a detrimental effect on the country’s economy, leading to a lack of jobs and investment opportunities.
This has caused immense hardships for many North Koreans, who have had to struggle with increased economic deprivation, little access to resources, and limited opportunities to develop skills or find employment. It has also made it impossible for North Koreans to get accurate information about the rest of the world, as the government has become increasingly isolated from the international community.
At the same time, the sanctions have had an effect on the rest of the world, as other countries have had to adjust their policies and investments due to the restrictions. This has limited the amount of aid, trade and investment North Korea is able to receive from other nations, making it difficult for them to make progress towards economic and political stability.
International Perspective on North Korea
The international community has largely become divided over how to approach North Korea in light of the nuclear weapons program it has been developing. On the one hand, the United States, Japan and other nations have implemented strict economic sanctions in order to bring the country’s nuclear ambitions under control. On the other hand, China has become increasingly involved in economic and diplomatic talks with North Korea, providing it with economic aid and increasing its international influence.
Overall, the international perspective on North Korea has been largely divided. For example, western nations view the country as a source of instability and hostility, while China views it as a source of potential economic partnerships. This has led to a great deal of disagreement between states on the best way to combat and contain the country’s nuclear ambitions.
At the same time, there has been a growing consensus that North Korea must be dealt with in a diplomatic and peaceful manner. This has led to an increase in the number of countries engaging in negotiations and diplomacy with North Korea, as well as an increase in humanitarian aid and assistance.
Human Rights Conditions Of North Korea
North Korea is widely known for its human rights violations, and its citizens have endured decades of oppressive regimes and extreme restrictions on their freedoms. Many reports suggest that prison camps within the country are used to imprison and torture political opponents, and that freedom of expression and the right to assembly are severely restricted.
Moreover, the UN has repeatedly issued calls for North Korea to release political prisoners, end its forced labor camps, and allow access to independent human rights monitors. However, the North Korean government has so far refused to comply with these demands, citing a need to protect “national security”.
In recent years, there have been some steps taken to improve the human rights situation, such as laws that allow North Koreans to seek asylum in other countries. However, many organisations continue to report on ongoing human rights violations in the country, suggesting that much more needs to be done in order to improve the lives of North Koreans.
Reasons Why People Live In North Korea
Despite its oppressive regime and extremely difficult economic and political conditions, many people still choose to remain in North Korea. Although parts of the country have become increasingly connected to the outside world, many elements of life there remain deeply entrenched in secrecy and control.
It is possible that the main motivation for some people to stay in the country is the hope that conditions will gradually improve. This is particularly true in the de facto capital of Pyongyang, where the government has taken steps to improve the city and its infrastructure in an attempt to attract foreign investment.
In addition, many North Koreans also cling to the culture and traditions of their homeland, as they remain loyal to their country in the face of adversity. This is despite the lack of freedoms and economic opportunities available to many North Koreans, as well as the danger of political and human rights violations.
For some, staying in North Korea may also be a matter of necessity, as those who are granted permission to leave are often targeted when they return. This means that those who have fled and returned face considerable amounts of danger, as the government keeps a close eye on them and can punish or even execute them for political crimes.
