10 Facts about North Korea that You Rarely Know

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a country located in East Asia. North Korea—as the international world calls it—borders China to the north, Russia to the northeast, and South Korea to the south. The capital city of North Korea is Pyongyang which is also the largest city.

North Korea is a highly closed and authoritarian country with a centralized economy and a one-party system. The country has been ruled by the Kim family since its founding in 1948. The current Supreme Leader of North Korea is Kim Jong Un. He took power in 2011 after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il.

The government strictly controls all aspects of society, including the media, economy, and political system. North Korea has one of the world's largest standing armies and has been subject to international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons program.

The lives of the North Korean population are also very restricted. From freedom of speech, movement, to access to information, everything is limited. The government controls all media outlets and restricts internet use. The country relies heavily on foreign aid to feed its population. Many local residents suffer from malnutrition and other health problems.

Despite the challenges it faces, North Korea has made progress in several areas, such as health care and education. The country has also made efforts to engage with the international community, including historic meetings with South Korea and the United States. However, North Korea's human rights record remains a significant concern for the international community.

Here are 10 surprising facts about North Korea that are rarely known:

1. North Korea is a dictatorial country. The country has been ruled by the Kim family for more than 70 years with the current leader—Kim Jong Un—taking power in 2011.

2. Internet access is very limited. Most North Koreans do not have access to the internet. Those who have it are only allowed to visit a number of government-controlled websites.

3. North Korea is one of the most isolated countries in the world. The country has limited trade and diplomatic relations with other countries and strictly controls the movement of its citizens.

4. The country is highly militarized. North Korea has one of the largest armed forces in the world with around 1.2 million active military personnel.

5. The North Korean government monopolizes, a.k.a. controls all media in the country. Citizens are not permitted to access foreign news sources.

6. Human rights violations are widespread in North Korea. Human rights activist groups reported widespread abuses, including political prison camps, forced labor, torture, and restrictions on freedom of speech and religion.

7. North Korea is one of the poorest countries in the world. The country has a centrally planned economy and limited trade resulting in low GDP per capita and widespread poverty.

8. The government severely restricts foreign travel. North Koreans are not allowed to travel abroad without government approval. Meanwhile, every foreign tourist who enters is also closely monitored and their movements are restricted.

9. North Korea has a nuclear weapons program. The country has conducted several nuclear weapons tests and was subject to international sanctions as a result.

10. As one of the poorest countries, North Korea relies heavily on foreign aid to feed its population. Millions of people suffer from malnutrition and other health problems

SYAHDI MUHARRAM

Editor's Choice: Countries with the Highest and Shortest Average Height in the World

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News