Weird facts about North Korea

15 Weird Facts about North Korea

1. Kim Jong-Il was so afraid of flying that he would travel in 6 custom-made armor trains, built just for him.

2. Kim Jong-Un’s basketball hero was Michael Jordan.

3. Most traffic control is performed by female traffic directors (reportedly handpicked by Kim Jong-Il for their beauty). Traffic lights are switched off to save electricity.

4. North Koreans can’t turn off the Government radio installed in their homes. They can only reduce the volume.

5. Many North Koreans have not heard the news that humans now walk on the moon.

6. No dogs are allowed in Pyongyang (the capital).

7. North Korea has the fourth-largest military in the world, at an estimated 1.21 million armed personnel.

8. Only military and government officials can own motor vehicles.

9. North Koreans must abide by one of 28 approved haircuts. For example, unmarried women must have short hair. Married woman have many more options.

10. Women are not allowed to ride bicycles in Pyeongyang. Men are only allowed to bike through parks, alongside streams, and next to the Daedong River.

11. The elder brother to current leader Kim Jong Un, Kim Jong Nam, was passed over to become the heir apparent leader after being arrested in Tokyo in 2001 for traveling to Disneyland on a forged passport.

12. Pyeongyang is built similarly to Seoul, with a big river running through it — the Daedong River is North Korea’s equivalent of the Han River in Seoul.

13. According to South Korean government + UN estimates, some 154,000 North Koreans live in prison camps.

14. According to Kim Jong-Il’s biography, he was born under a double rainbow as a new star appeared. He started to walk at 3 weeks old, and claimed to be able to control the weather by his moods.

15. With the exception of residents in the captial city, the Internet is almost completely inaccessible in North Korea. Access is granted by permission by government authorities.

What are some other weird facts you’ve heard about North Korea?

Sources