We’ve all heard some questionable things about North Korea at some point in our lives. For example, you can’t take photos in North Korea or the fact that North Korean men can only have a particular haircut. But how much truth is there to these myths or things we have been hearing since forever? Let’s find out!
- North Korean Men Can Only Have One Haircut!
Let’s start with one of the most common myths, wait for it, yes, it’s the haircut! Many people think North Korean students and men are forced to have the same haircut! It all started in 2014, when many news outlets, including BBC, posted an article about how North Korean university students were ordered to have Kim Jong Un’s haircut.
There were conflicting reports over the haircut scenario, but what happened was that it all became meme material, and the rumour also changed its form, and now it is famous that North Koreans have to choose between a number of different North Korean haircuts, all approved, again not true. This myth was debunked by tourists travelling to North Korea!
Did you know that North Korean men are expected to have short hair? Growing your hair long, growing a beard, or having stubble on your face is viewed as being lazy or homeless by the Koreans.
- There Is No Internet And Nobody Owns A Cellphone In North Korea
Let us tell you that it’s also a myth and a fact. While the general public in North Korea lacks access to the internet, there are some provisions in place that allow limited internet connectivity within the country. In 2008, Orascom, an Egyptian telecommunication company, partnered with Korea’s state-owned KPTC, Korea Post and Telecommunications Corporation, to introduce the first 3G Koryolink service.
Initially, this service was made available to foreigners visiting or working in North Korea but was later restricted solely to foreigners working within the country.
Despite the restrictions, the 3G service provided in North Korea is surprisingly reliable. It offers relatively fast speeds and coverage in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, as well as many rural cities.
However, the 3G SIM card is specifically locked to the registered cellphone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity, IMEI, preventing North Koreans from utilizing their local 3G service on other international or local phones, effectively limiting their access to the internet.
Citizens in North Korea primarily use a limited and heavily controlled intranet called Kwangmyong. This intranet is a closed-off network that is accessible only within the country. The government tightly regulates and monitors internet usage, and the content available on Kwangmyong is highly restricted and censored.
Did you know that in North Korea, there are physical app stores where you purchase apps over the counter, have your phone connected to a PC and download the paid apps directly?
- You Can’t Take Pictures In North Korea
Because tourists were once prohibited from taking pictures outside of Pyongyang and during bus rides within the city, it became a common belief that you can’t take photos in North Korea. However, as tourism expanded in the country, regulations became more lenient, and now photography is permitted during tours.
The only restrictions are that you cannot take photos of military personnel or construction sites. However, capturing pictures of soldiers at the demilitarized zone within certain sections is completely acceptable.
Did you know that North Korea also faked winning a Football World Cup? Yes! This is, unfortunately, not a myth but a fact! In 2014, North Korea didn’t even qualify for the world cup, but the country’s news channels told its citizens that they won the whole thing. In 2010, the North Korean soccer team made headlines when it went from lowest ranked team to a world cup qualifier, but it didn’t see much of the glory in 2014.
- There’s No Traffic In Pyongyng
This used to be true but is now outdated. Prior to 2010, traffic in North Korea was incredibly low, consisting of few taxis, a handful of vans & trucks, and lots of busses.
Nowadays, traffic can get quite intense in Pyongyang, especially during morning and afternoon peak hours. If you’re taking the train from China to Pyongyang, you’ll arrive at 6:45 pm and the first thing you’ll notice whilst exiting the Pyongyang International Railway Station is downtown gridlock. However, taxis are now seen more often as public transport infrastructure is lacking and the local economy is growing.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! By uncovering the facts and dispelling the myths about North Korea, we’ve peeled back the layers of mystery and gained valuable insights into this fascinating country. It’s been an eye-opening adventure, revealing the truth behind the misconceptions and leaving us with a better understanding of the real North Korea. https://youtu.be/qyGrtA3D1i8