Everyday life in North Korea, ordinary people: reviews. The standard of living in North Korea, living conditions, life expectancy

The DPRK, or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is located on the Korean Peninsula, in its northern part. At the moment, the most famous name of the state is North Korea.

The country borders with the Russian Federation in the north-east and with the People's Republic of China in the north. With South Korea, they are divided by a demilitarized zone. Washed from two sides by the seas: Japanese and Yellow. Pyongyang is the capital of the state.

Korea became a people's democratic republic in 1948. At present, power lies in the hands of Kim Jong-un, the head of one of the country's political parties. The ideology of the state is "reliance on one's own strength."

The standard of living in North Korea is rather low, as a rule, this is explained by the fact that the heads of the country invest all money in the development of the army and increase in armaments.

The population of the DPRK

Almost all Koreans live in North Korea. Their number is 99% of the total mass of people. 1% - the Chinese, Mongols, Japanese and Russian.

The language spoken by all residents is Korean. Here you often find a person who professes Buddhism or Confucianism, less often - Christianity. Independent religions, not backed by the church, are prosecuted by law. Some groups are controlled by the government.

Initially, when the island was open, it was inhabited only by the Tungus, who later learned the Chinese north.

When the government realized that it needed foreign specialists, in 1960 a big campaign began to attract them to the country. Perhaps, it was thanks to these efforts that a sufficient number of students from Vietnam, Europe, Somalia were studying in Korean universities.

In order to answer the question of what kind of life in North Korea, it is necessary to get acquainted with the stratum of the population. All living people are divided into certain levels:

• main;
• Hesitating;
• hostile.

Belonging to these layers is determined by the position of a person in society, his activities during the Korean War, and then inherited through the male line.

Persons who belong to the Labor Party of Korea (TPK) belong to the main stratum, those that were excluded from it - to the hostile. It also includes those who returned to their homeland (China or Japan) after a long-term residence in Korea.

All those who are recognized as "hostile" do not have the right to enter more universities, work in the political sphere and serve in the army.

In the 1960s, the population was detailed, which resulted in the creation of special groups of people in each layer. Unfortunately, the number of both layers and groups can not be determined.

State structure of the country

The DPRK Constitution was adopted in 1972. To date, it has made about three edits. Based on her articles, we can say with confidence that the legal power in the state belongs to all the people who work for the good of the country. However, in fact, everything is not so smooth. Life in North Korea is built on communist ideologies, and this, as practice shows, does not make life easier for ordinary people.

The supreme body in the DPRK is the Supreme People's Assembly. People are elected to it for a period of 5 years by secret ballot. However, elections are non-alternative, therefore, as a result, it is officially announced that the party or person was unanimously elected. The right to participate in them is granted from the age of 17.

Life in Pyongyang

In the mornings, sirens are heard in the streets, but they warn not about the alarm, but about the time to get up and go to work. In half an hour you can see crowds of people who ride a bicycle or get to the right place on public transport.

On the roads follow the movement of the girl-regulator. They are extremely necessary, because everyday life in North Korea does without traffic lights. It is almost impossible to meet them in this country. The work of patrolmen is boring and monotonous: the carriageway is wide, but there is very little transport.

A small advantage of Pyongyang is the presence of the metro. Stations are very similar to Moscow, the differences are in appearance: here they are better. Placards of the president, soldiers and ordinary workers often hang on houses.

The streets of the capital resemble the former Soviet Union. The only difference is that this is North Korea. The living conditions here are not the best, but on every street there is a monument to the leaders and heroes.

However, there are also those moments that distinguish the north from the USSR. For example, competitions that are held between workers, gaining serious momentum. Winners receive prizes such as rice and flour. This is exactly what the Korean people lack.

At night, the lights and advertising lamps are turned off. The city plunges into darkness. The streets are almost not illuminated.

The life of a simple Korean

The slogan of North Korea, which translates into Russian as "reliance on one's own strength," reflects all the ills and advantages of people's lives.

Workers who live without breaking the laws, and do their job well, receive in return up to 1 thousand grams of rice, meat and eggs. On TV, it is constantly reported that residents of other countries do not have all this and live much worse. It is not possible to check this for an ordinary person, since only trusted persons are allowed to communicate with foreigners.

Life in North Korea consists of complete obedience. If a person keeps radio in his house, listens to the music of foreign performers or watches foreign TV channels (although this is practically impossible), he is expected to refer to hard labor or prison. The situation worsens because reprisals are imposed not only on the offender, but on his entire family. And the whole genus falls into the so-called black list. This is fraught with the fact that no one will be admitted to the university, there will be no work, the entrance is also banned to the capital. For particularly serious crimes, a person is publicly executed.

In such laws there is one huge advantage: criminality is practically absent. The nation grows healthy and strong, since since childhood all attend sections, are regularly examined by doctors and do not eat much. No woman has the right to take a cigarette in her hands.

The birth rate of North Korea exceeds the birth rate of South. But these numbers will soon be equalized, as the government of the country is pursuing a policy to reduce the number of children in families.

Decreased life expectancy

However strange it may sound, but even though Koreans often do not have bad habits, their life expectancy decreases. Now he is 66 years old. This figure is constantly falling due to the fact that women and children suffer from the general situation in the country.

The expert on international affairs of the USA stated that the quantity of food that is allotted for one person is not enough to restore vital energy. Therefore, the life expectancy in North Korea, especially ordinary workers, only falls.

The problem of this humanitarian aid system is that some parts of the country simply do not receive it. All due to the fact that the state has a basic rule - to notify the government of its intentions to visit any locality.

The impact of the Korean War on the economic development of the country

The war, or police operation, was conducted from 1950 to 1953. This confrontation is also called "The Forgotten War", as it has not been remembered for a long time in official publications.

In fact, this conflict was unleashed due to bad relations between the US and its allies and China. The Northern Coalition consisted of the DPRK, China (the Chinese army), and the USSR. The last two countries did not officially participate in the war, but actively supplied weapons and financed. The South Coalition was the Republic of Korea, England and the United States of America. In addition to these countries, the UN also had a side with the South.

The reason for the war was the desire of the president of both North and South Korea to unite the peninsula under his leadership. Such a belligerent mood radically changed the life in North Korea, the photos of those times are indisputable proofs. All men were liable for military service and were obligated to serve for more than 10 years.

During the preparation for the confrontation, the Soviet government was afraid of the outcome of the Third World War, which argued for non-fulfillment of certain requests from North Korea. However, this did not affect the supply of arms and military. The DPRK gradually increased the power of its army.

The war began with the occupation of Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea. It ended with India making a proposal to create a peace treaty. But since the south refused to sign the document, Clark, the UN general, became his representative. A demilitarized zone was created. But an interesting fact remains that the treaty on the cessation of the war has not been signed so far.

Foreign policy

The DPRK is leading a very aggressive but at the same time sensible foreign policy. Political analysts of other countries suspect that the leader of the state has experts who are able to prompt correct decisions and predict the consequences in this or that situation. It is worth noting that North Korea is a nuclear state. On the one hand, this causes the hostile countries to reckon with it, on the other - to keep such weapons quite costly, many European countries have long abandoned it.

Relationship with developed countries and their impact on the development of the economy of North Korea

• Russia. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, relations with the Russian Federation were almost extinguished. Only in the rule of Vladimir Putin agreements on cooperation in many spheres were signed. In addition, in 2014 all debts of the north to the Russian Federation were written off. This in some way made life easier for North Koreans.

• USA. Relations with the United States are now quite tense. America to this day stands on the side of South Korea and strongly supports it, which helps the economy to develop significantly. What can not be said about the northern part of the state. US representatives expose the DPRK aggressor and are often accused of provoking a southern neighbor and Japan. Some serious publications conducted investigations and wrote that the northern government is trying to kill the president of South Korea, knocks down aircraft, and flushes liners. This attitude of America does not contribute to the economic development of the country, and this does not allow improving the life in North Korea for the common people.
• Japan. Relations with this country are completely ruptured and can at any time develop into a full-fledged war. Each state after the Korean War imposed sanctions on each other. And the DPRK in 2009 openly stated that in the event of a flight of Japanese aircraft to the territory of Korea, fire will be opened to defeat.
• South Korea. Because of the aggravated relations and aspirations to unite the peninsula, abductions, murders and attacks regularly occur. Often, gunfire is heard on the outskirts of the countries, they are also fixed on the land border. A few years ago, the DPRK announced its decision to launch a nuclear attack against Seoul. However, this event was prevented. This is one of the main reasons why life in North Korea is dangerous and leads to the fact that young people try to leave for permanent residence in other countries at the first opportunity.

The military life of men

In 2006, the army of the People's Democratic Republic numbered more than 1 million people. There were more than 7,500,000 reserves in the reserve, and 6,500,000 people were members of the Red Guard. About 200 thousand more work as security guards at military facilities and other similar posts. And this despite the fact that the country's population is not more than 23 million.

The contract with land forces is for 5-12 years. A man has the right to choose where to go to serve: army, division, corps or brigade.

Service time in the navy is slightly less: from 5 to 10 years. Due to the fact that the government does not spare money for the development of its army, people are fully equipped with the necessary appliances, weapons and protective suits.

Unlike other countries, the state in question is invested in the development of intelligence, which significantly worsens people's lives in North Korea.

Most of the military is concentrated in the area of the demilitarized zone. The people's army has more than 3,000 main and 500 light tanks, 2,000 armored personnel carriers, 3,000 artillery barrels, and 7,000 mortars; In the ground forces there are also about 11 thousand antiaircraft guns. Such outfits require the investment of large amounts of money that could lead the country out of stagnation.

Life in North Korea (reviews of ordinary people confirm this) because of such a militant mood has no progress, or rather, it just stands still. Indigenous people do not even know that one can exist in some other way. It's not for nothing that the rulers of the country have come up with a slogan, the essence of which is that no one should be jealous of and live only in their own strength. Such a policy helps in some way to retain control over the common people.

What is life like in North Korea? Reviews of foreigners

Unfortunately, all people living in the country are forbidden to talk about how hard it is for them to live. However, tourists who have visited North Korea, willingly share all the memories and impressions.

According to travelers, entry to the country is carried out only with the help of travel agencies. All the time a person or a group of people is under observation and moves around the city or the region only with a guide. Radio receivers, phones, any other gadgets are not allowed to be imported. This contradicts the government's convictions. You can photograph only what is allowed by the guide. In case of disobedience, a person is added to the black list, he is not allowed to enter North Korea.

At once with an unaided eye it is visible, that people live medium. They are not dressed well, the roads are empty. Machines appear very rarely, because of which many children play on the roadway.

There are many soldiers on the streets who are also prohibited from taking photographs, especially if they are resting.

People move on foot or on bicycles. Tourists are given free ride around the hotel. By the way, the corridors in the building resemble horror films. Repair was not long ago, people here are extremely rare. In addition to bicycles, residents use bulls.

Both women and children work in the fields. The abandoned territories, which are located at military bases, are rich in small deceptions, similar to tanks.

In some buildings there are escalators, which appeared only recently. People are not used to them yet, and they are poorly oriented in how to use them.

Electricity in homes is given for several hours. Trees and small monuments are fleeing not with a brush, but with their hands.

In the spring people eat ordinary grass added to food, which can be quickly and unnoticed to pick on a nearby lawn.

Economic spheres

The economy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is not strong enough. Due to the fact that since 1960 the country has become closed and has ceased to publish production statistics, all conclusions are given by independent experts, they can not be 100% reliable.

• Industry. North Korea (the everyday life of citizens depends on the level of development of the state in this area) is moving well in the direction of mining. In addition, there are refineries on the territory.
• Mechanical engineering. The country is engaged in the production of machines that the Russian Federation imports. However, the models are not modern, they were produced in the USSR several decades ago. Here, cars, SUVs, trucks are produced.
• Electronic sphere. After in 2014, North Korea imported several million more than in 2013, smart phones and ordinary cell phones, everyday life in North Korea has become better. Over the past 5-7 years, companies have produced tablets, several smartphones and a special computer for working in factories.
• Agriculture. Due to the fact that the country does not have enough fertile land, agriculture is poorly developed. A large area of the country is occupied by mountains. Most crops such as rice, soybean, potatoes and corn are planted. Unfortunately, there is little to grow greenery and vegetables, which can be eaten raw. And this leads to a deterioration in health and, as a result, reduces the life expectancy of ordinary Koreans. Poultry and pig production prevail in animal husbandry. Due to the poor development of the country, harvest is collected manually.

Comparison of people's living standards in North and South Korea

The most closed country is North Korea. The life of ordinary people here is not the best. You can only move around the city by bicycle. Cars are an unprecedented luxury that the ordinary worker can hardly afford.

Anyone wishing to get to the capital of the DPRK (Pyongyang) must first get a pass. However, it's worth it. There are picturesque places, various monuments and monuments, and even the only metro station in the whole country. Outside the city you can drive on a ride. Military must always be transported - as is customary by law.

All residents of the DPRK must wear badges with state leaders. Also, citizens who have reached working age must be employed. But since often there are not enough places, the local authorities come up with new activities, such as a sheaf of sheaves of sheaves or the cutting of old trees. Those who retired also have to do something. As a rule, parties allocate a small piece of land, for which the elderly are obliged to take care of.

Everyone has long known that North Korea, the life of ordinary people in which it sometimes turns into hell, has cruel laws and follows in the footsteps of fierce communism. However, there is something that this country attracts and attracts to itself. These are parks, reserves and just very beautiful places that you can admire indefinitely. What is the "Dragon Mountain", which is located 30 minutes from Pyongyang.

The life of women in North Korea is very difficult. Mostly men are involved in the army, from them there is practically no benefit for the family, so the weaker sex became more active and could prove that it can live in such conditions. Now the main wet nurse are women. They are working round the clock because of a few inadequate laws of the DPRK, aimed only at protecting the state. If we compare modern life with any historical epoch, then we can say with certainty that Korea lives in 1950. The photo below is proof.

South Korea is a country of cinema, music, prosperity. The main problem of the country is alcoholism. Drinking the state takes the 7th place in the world, but this does not prevent him from moving forward, expanding the sphere of influence and becoming a powerful power. The Government of the Republic conducts its foreign policy in such a way that it has good relations with many countries of Europe.

The people living in the country are kind, helpful, they always bow and smile to passers-by. And especially this feature is manifested in the service sector: in cafes, restaurants, cinemas. To the buyer, or rather, to the person who pays money, are treated like God. He should never wait his turn for a long time. Due to such rules, the service in this country is different in quality and speed.

Education is what distinguishes South Korea. It is at the highest level. Bad performance, which entails a failure in the university, means expulsion from society.

The army is not as well developed as it is in the north, however, everything is required from the workers to the pop stars. The consequences that await after attempts to escape from the service resemble the planes of North Korea that are constantly dissecting in the sky. The call of men is carried out closer to 30 years. As a rule, Koreans marry very late, often after demobilization.

Their apartments look stingy. Only those who work hard can afford houses. Citizens themselves laugh at apartments and other housing, which is shown on television and published in magazines, saying that this is just a game of fantasy.

North and South Korea, whose standard of living is very different, unfortunately, do not even think to unite with the world. Constantly there are some conflicts and risks of the resumption of the war, which strikes heavily on ordinary citizens of the north and forces them to migrate to other countries.