North Korea is called a democratic country by the world. But in reality, North Korea is a country that comes under dictatorship. Here, even on small matters, strict laws are applicable. Which every citizen of North Korea follows. North Korea is a small country which shares its land border with China, Russia and South Korea. So let’s know 45 incredible facts about North Korea.
Table of Contents
45 incredible facts about North Korea
1. The official name of North Korea is Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which is called (DPRK) in short form.
2. The dictatorial rule of the Kim family is going on in North Korea since 1948. Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il have ruled North Korea, while now North Korea is ruled by Kim Jong-un.
3. In North Korea, the Gregorian calendar is not followed but their own calendar which they call Juche calendar is used. The Juche calendar starts from the birth of Kim Il-sung in 1912.
4. The largest city of North Korea and the capital of North Korea is Pyongyang. Only rich people can live in this city. Also, they should be loyal people of North Korea only then they can live in this city.
5. The currency of North Korea is North Korean Won.
6. Like South Korea, the official language of North Korea is Korean. Which is written in Hangul.
7. Approximately 2.5 crore people live in North Korea.
8. There is no internet facility for common people in North Korea, only a few selected people can use it like senior army officers or some big people living with the government.
9. In North Korea, you cannot keep a hairstyle of your choice, rather the government has officially given 28 hairstyles. From which people can choose one and do the hairstyle.
10. There is also a ban on jeans pants in North Korea. Because North Korea believes that jeans are a symbol of the culture of western countries.
Interesting facts about north korea
11. If a person commits a crime in North Korea, then his son and his grandson also get punished for it.
12. The Bible is completely banned in North Korea. Also, you cannot follow any religion, if you are caught doing so, then you are directly sentenced to death.
13. North Korea is one of the most powerful countries in the world in terms of army because North Korea has more than 12 lakh active soldiers.
14. North Korea is one of the few countries in the world that has nuclear weapons.
15. Watching South Korea’s movie or any web series is completely banned in North Korea.
16. North Korea has built good villages in some areas adjacent to South Korea in which no person lives, they have been built only to show off to the world.
17. The literacy rate of North Korea is said to be 99%.
18. There are only three TV channels in the whole of North Korea which are completely controlled by the government and watching foreign channels is completely illegal in this country.
19. Watching pornography in North Korea is punishable by death.
20. There are huge statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il in North Korea. It is also mandatory to respect these statues or else you will also be punished.
Amazing facts about north korea
21. There are very good roads in North Korea but you will rarely see vehicles on them. Because no one can buy a car in North Korea, permission has to be taken from the government for that.
22. There is a lot of poverty in North Korea, so millions of people here suffer from starvation and children here are also malnourished.
23. Kim Jong-il was afraid of airplanes. He used to travel only by armored train so that his airplane might not be blown up by an enemy country.
24. On average, North Koreans are 2 to 3 inches shorter than South Koreans.
25. North Korea has its own space agency called NADA.
26. North Korean computers use the Red Star operating system, which is completely under government control.
27. North Korea has created its own time zone, which is 30 minutes behind South Korea.
28. Elections are held every 5 years in North Korea, with 100% voter turnout, but there is only one candidate.
29. There are 2 to 3 lakh political prisoners in North Korea.
30. North Korea exports most of its fish to China.
31. Kim Jong Un did his studies in Switzerland. Kim loved basketball very much.
32. Kim Jong-un is a big fan of Michael Jordan.
33. In 1968, North Korea captured the American ship USS Pueblo. That ship is still with North Korea.
34. No tourist can take a photo of a beggar in North Korea.
35. Listening to Western music is also completely banned in North Korea.
36. The common people of North Korea are also completely banned from talking to foreign citizens.
37. There is a huge shortage of electricity in North Korea. Because when we look at North Korea from the satellite at night, only darkness is visible.
38. Tourists cannot roam alone in North Korea, they have to keep a guide with them.
39. Football and basketball are very popular in North Korea.
40. Pollution is negligible in North Korea because there are very few factories and vehicles here.
41. North Korea spends one-third of its budget on the military.
42. Only 20% of the land in North Korea is cultivable, the rest 80% of the land is covered with hilly areas.
43. Kim Jong-un threw his uncle in front of hungry dogs.
44. In 1974, North Korea ordered 1000 Volvo cars from Sweden, but North Korea has not paid for those cars till date.
45. In 1953, a pilot took refuge in South Korea with his plane. From this you can guess that no one wants to live in North Korea.
I hope you liked the facts I told you and you must have been satisfied with it.
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What is North Korea best known for?
North Korea is best known for its secretive and authoritarian government. Under the leadership of the Kim dynasty, particularly current leader Kim Jong-un, the country draws global attention. Its isolationist policies, Juche ideology (self-reliance), and limited contact with the outside world make it one of the most mysterious nations. Additionally, its nuclear weapons program and large-scale military parades often make international headlines.
What is North Korea’s favorite food?
It’s tricky to pinpoint a single “favorite” food for North Korea due to its secretive nature and limited information about everyday life, but based on available insights, naengmyeon (known as raengmyeon or Pyongyang cold noodles in North Korea) stands out as one of the most iconic and beloved dishes. This cold noodle dish, made with buckwheat noodles in a chilled beef, pork, or pheasant broth, is a cultural staple, especially in Pyongyang. It’s often spiced up with hot mustard and vinegar, giving it a tangy, refreshing kick that locals love. There’s even a song about Pyongyang naengmyeon, showing its deep cultural significance
How many North Koreans have escaped?
As of June 2024, approximately 33,000 North Koreans have defected to South Korea since the 1950s, with the majority escaping after the North Korean famine in the 1990s. This number primarily tracks those who successfully reached South Korea, the most common destination for defectors. Additionally, an estimated 80,000 North Koreans live illegally in China, many having fled during the economic crisis of the 1990s. Smaller numbers have settled elsewhere, including about 820 in the European Union (2007–2016, mostly Germany and the UK), 224 in the United States (2004–2021), and roughly 10,000 in Russia’s Far East, often escapees from work camps.
Globally, the North Korean diaspora, including defectors and overseas laborers, is estimated at 150,000 to 160,000 people. Defection numbers peaked in 2009 at 2,914 to South Korea but dropped significantly after stricter border controls under Kim Jong-un and COVID-19 restrictions, with only 105 defectors arriving in South Korea in the first half of 2024. Exact figures are hard to verify due to North Korea’s secrecy, China’s repatriation policies, and underreporting in other regions.