The problem of anxiety inherent in capitalism
Why must capitalism lead to prosperity? Why must socialism lead to poverty? These were questions I had long before leaving North Korea. I suspect many...
What happens when cinema loses its freedom
Films have a great influence on our lives, whether we realize it or not. I can show this through my own life. If it weren’t...
“Rope selling” and “rope supporting” — Lenin’s lessons for South Korean and American politicians, Left and Right
Among the many absurd claims of North Korea's propaganda in promoting the cult of the hereditary Kim dynasty is that Kim Jong-il, as a very young boy,...
Successor or homegrown fashion icon? Why Is North Korea showcasing Kim Ju-ae?
When Kim Ju-ae stepped into the public eye for the first time, holding her father’s hand, she was instantly thrust into the global spotlight. The...
Why North Koreans love the US dollar
Of course, no one hates money. But with North Koreans, there is an attitude to money that is rather unusual. Despite being steeped in intense...
The oppressed youth of North Korea
What does the word “youth” mean to us? Does it represent the most passionate period in the cycle of life? Or perhaps the most fun...
Why North Korea has not collapsed
Don’t you find it puzzling that North Korea, which always seems like it could collapse at any time, is still standing strong? Our media constantly...
Where does patriotism come from?
What does it mean to love one’s country? It means to feel pain when the country suffers, and joy when it thrives. It means to...
How the social system deteriorates
What is the function of a society? Each country, each person may answer this in a different way, but there is one thing we can...
Trump: “Without America, you’re nothing”… Was North Korea’s choice justified?
“You should be more grateful. You have no cards to play. If you're with us, you have cards, but without us, you have no options....
Are we masters or slaves?
If you were born in North Korea, there’s something you’ve heard since childhood: we are the masters of society. That is the core principle of...
Captured soldiers whose faces were shown are “mice trapped in a jar”
The face of a captured North Korean soldier, being interrogated, his face wrapped in bandages, reminded me of the South Korean National Intelligence Service officer...
Who are the leader’s “good people”?
Throughout history, rulers have often complained about their subjects. That’s hardly surprising. Rulers fear the masses. They seem to them like a ticking time bomb,...
How should we interpret China’s occasional release of detained North Korean refugees?
While China formally stands by its obligation to North Korea to repatriate escapees, many defectors arrive in South Korea after having been detained by Chinese...
North Korea does it “our way”
Every country has its own traditions, history, and way of doing things. In North Korea, they call this “our way.” The emotions people feel about...
Defectors accuse South Korean politician opposing unification of being a spy
Like a surgeon who recommends a heart transplant, when a politician says South Korea should change its core national objective, people need to trust him...
One party vs. multiple parties
The most cited difference between countries that are socialist or capitalist is the extent to which individual citizens are able to own the means of...
North Korea tries to attract foreign investment
The North Korean regime appears to be making an effort to induce foreign business but, given international sanctions over its rogue nuclear weapons program and...