1. Marijuana is legal in North Korea.
2. North Korea does not use the Gregorian calendar, which is also known as the Western calendar and the Christian calendar. They have their own calendar in place. The Juche calendar was introduced in 1997 and is based on Kim Il-Sung’s date of birth: April 15, 1912. The year 2015 was the 104th year, as per their Juche calendar.
3. According to the CIA, North Korea has a 100% literacy rate.
4. According to the Corruption Perceptions Index 2017, North Korea is among the top ten most corrupt countries in the world.
5. It is estimated that at least 28% of the kids fewer than 5 years of age have stunted growth.
6. Malaysia and Singapore are the only two countries in the world that are allowed via free travel to North Korea. However, the visa-free stay is allowed up to a maximum of 30 days.
7. Between 1994 and 1998 a famine in North Korea resulted in the deaths of between 240,000 and 420,000 people.
8. They have their own intranet – “Kwangmyong.” It was opened in 2000 and includes a browser, email, news and search capabilities. They do not have the open internet as it exists in other parts of the world. Most things there are restricted.
9. Government permission is required to own a computer in North Korea.
10. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il never flew on an airplane. He was reportedly so afraid of flying that the only way he would travel is in custom-armored trains specifically built for him.
11. North Korea’s capital Pyongyang is only for elite groups of people. Only loyal, trustworthy and healthy citizens can live there.
12. North Korea has only three TV channels. Two of these only broadcast during the weekends. South Korean soap operas are smuggled in for entertainment.
13. It is a ritual to not celebrate birthdays on July 8 and December 17. Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il died on these dates.
14. There is only one candidate to vote for in the North Korean elections, which take place every five years.