North Korea or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to use its full name is undoubtedly one of the worlds most secretive and cut off societies. However, paradoxically, North Korea’s extreme isolationism has generated a huge amount of fascination and coverage of North Korea around the world.
For today’s post, I’ll share a few things I find fascinating about North Korea.
North Korea is home to what world’s most fascinating airline. Due to decades of trade sanctions and embargoes, North Korea’s national airline is reliant on a fleet of aged Soviet aircraft. Air Koryo is the last airline to operate multiple types of the 1950s and 60s era Soviet-built aircraft such as the Ilyushin Il-62M, Tupolev Tu-134 and Tupolev Tu-154B. North Korea is an aviation geeks dream.
While Air Koryo’s business class probably won’t live up to the standards of the global elite, North Korea has more in common with their hangouts like Monaco, the Cayman Islands and UAE than you might think.
North Korea is one of the few countries in the world whose residents pay no taxes. Taxation was abolished in 1974. Only individuals who make money outside of North Korea pay taxes.
Other things you might want to check out about North Korea include:
Pyongyang’s immaculate metro - one of the world’s deepest and most elaborately decorated metro systems
The Ryugyong hotel - an unfinished skyscraper that has been under construction since 1987
The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium - the world’s largest stadium
The Kijong-dong or “Peace Village" on the Border of North and South Korea
Reading the paper on a Metro station, Pyongyang, North Korea metro station, Pyongyang, North Korea
North Korea is a fascinating country. One day I’d love to visit, although I wonder if writing this blog post bars me from entry? Either way, North Korea has ambitions to change. Kim Jong Un has big plans to grow and partially liberalise the North Korean economy. So far though, these plans have been hindered by economic sanctions and a reduction in trade with China due to the coronavirus pandemic. On a related note, the recent video of Russian diplomats leaving North Korea on a hand-powered train rail trolley was simply astonishing.
North Korean’s love a good drink, and North Korea has dozens of breweries. The most popular beer is Taedonggang lager. Unsurprisingly they don’t stock this in my local Netto, so I’ll have to substitute with a locally brewed Tuborg this evening. Geonbae!
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