It is a government so strange that it seems to be taken from a James Bond movie, or one of those Hollywood cartoons of some Third World dictatorship, but it is a real regime and a country that could unleash a new war at any moment in Asia with global consequences. And although you are likely to know the dinasty that governs and some of his extravagant and deadly laws , maybe we can surprise you with any of the following curiosities of North Korea .
14 Curiosities of North Korea that will amaze you
They count the years in a different way, there are very specific rules about the way you cut your hair, they have the biggest stadium in the world ... This is, without doubt, one of the most amazing countries in the world and that's why you we present curiosities of North Korea .
1. The laws in North Korea do not look like those in other countries
One of the curiosities of North Korea more unexpected. The contrasts in their permits and prohibitions are very curious. It is strictly regulated how you should wear your hair, but instead marijuana is legal and it's not even considered a drug.
2. North Korea is not communist (at least not officially)
Since 2009, North Korea officially it is not a communist nation .
All the posters and publications that defined it as such were removed and it is currently defined as a nation that follows the "Juche" philosophy, an ideological doctrine created by the founder of the dynasty and "Eternal President" Kim Il Sung.
3. Some Americans chose to live in North Korea
At least six American soldiers They fled, at different times, crossing the minefield that separates both Koreas and ended up living in the north. Several years after having served as instruments of propaganda against the West, four of them tried to escape by taking refuge in the Soviet embassy, but the Russians returned them to the authorities and ended their lives in the "paradise" of the Kim family.
In this sense, it could also be interesting to discover: Can we escape from North Korea? How?
4. They have a US Army ship in their possession
North Korea is the only country that currently maintains captive a ship of the Navy of the United States . In January 1968 the USS Pueblo it was an American spy ship that was in international waters, fifteen miles off the coast of North Korea, when it was captured by North Korean military forces. Although the crew was released a year later, the ship is still being held and on display.
5. The strange calendar of the North Koreans
In this country there are two calendars: the Gregorian and the " Juche ", In which the years are counted from the date of Kim Il Sung's birth , 1912
The "Juche year" of North Korea changes in April, on the birthday of the founder of the dynasty.
6. In North Korea they have the largest stadium in the world
As you read, one of the curiosities of North Korea that maybe you did not know, is that they have in their territory the biggest stadium in the world, the Rungrado First of May, with capacity for 150,000 people.
It is located in the capital, Piongyang, and was completed in 1989. It has 8 plants and multiple uses . In addition to football matches and athletic races, there are also mass games . These are part of the North Korean folklore and is the only country where they are still performed. So, they consist of the pinpoint synchronization of dancers while they make up colorful images.
7. The social categories of North Korea
exist 51 social categories in the "Democratic Republic of Korea", according to your position on the regime. This classification system is known as "songbun" and through it determines whether a citizen is reliable or not, what jobs can be accessed and even the quality and quantity of food that your family will receive.
8. They almost have the tallest building on the planet, but it has not been inaugurated
In the 80's in Piongyang the construction of a hotel with a hundred floors (105), of 330 meters, which for a couple of decades was the tallest building in the world, was inaugurated, although it was never inaugurated or even started. , despite having an estimated cost of 750 million dollars. In the 90s a commission of the European Union evaluated the structure of the building and considered it irreparable.
In addition, various architectural experts have categorized it as the ugliest hotel in the world.
9. In North Korea they are less long-lived than in neighboring countries
Although they have a high literacy rate - more than 90% - and a free public health system, the North Koreans have a low average longevity compared to China (75) or South Korea (80): around 67 years .
10. They say they have found the remains of a unicorn
This is perhaps one of the curiosities of North Korea which are more amazing In 2012 the Institute of History of the Academy of Social Sciences of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Korea announced the discovery of the tomb of a unicorn . This mythical animal would have belonged to King Tongmiong, founder of the ancient kingdom of Korea. It is not a joke, the Korean archaeologists published it as serious news.
11. North Korea has the fourth largest army in the world
That's right, they have more than a million soldiers. This also makes it the most militarized state in the world , because two out of ten men, between 17 and 57 years old, are soldiers.
12. They did not hesitate to kidnap a film director
This is another of the most surprising curiosities of North Korea. In 1978 a film director from South Korea was kidnapped by North Korean spies under Kim Jong-Il. The justification for this kidnapping is that they wanted to boost North Korean cinema. In this way they wanted this film director to make a version of Godzilla under the name of Pulgasari. The good news is that the abducted director managed to escape 8 years later during a trip to Vienna.
13. It is difficult to travel to North Korea
Traveling to North Korea is possible, however it becomes a complicated task when you are a journalist or going to work. Also, traveling to this country will cost you a very high financial outlay. On the other hand, you must adhere to the strict rules that have been established regarding tourism. Therefore, tourists always have to be accompanied by one or two tour guides who will show them the most emblematic places of the country. If you break this rule you can be deported or even arrested and imprisoned.
14. There are almost no traffic lights in operation
Traffic lights are not a concern in North Korea In fact, there is almost no. These are replaced by those known as "traffic ladies. " Yes, they are the best known, although there are also men. They are responsible for regulating traffic at Pyongyang crossings through energetic movements. These are chosen according to their physique and can only work while they are single, usually up to 27 years old. On the contrary, men do not have any restrictions of this kind.
Undoubtedly, North Korea is a country full of interesting data and sometimes, quite unknown due to the secrecy that surrounds this country. Tell us, what do you think of these curiosities of North Korea ? Which has surprised you the most? Does this nation attract you? Leave us your comments, we will be happy to read you!
Discover:
- 13 "normal" activities banned in North Korea
Images: Matt Paish , (stephan)