Fake Cities in North Korea Kijong-dong, also known as the propaganda village, is a fake city located in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that serves as a facade to showcase North Korea's prosperity and success. The buildings are empty concrete shells with painted-on windows and no signs of life within their walls.
Ryugyong Hotel The Ryugyong Hotel is an unfinished 105-story skyscraper in Pyongyang that stands as a towering symbol of North Korea's ambitions. Despite its completed exterior, it has not opened its doors to the public due to alleged defects such as substandard materials and poor workmanship.
Arirang Mass Games The Arirang mass games held annually at Rungrado First of May Stadium bring together up to one hundred thousand performers including gymnasts dancers musicians who participate in synchronized routines depicting scenes from North Korean history and propaganda. It serves both political propaganda purposes while showcasing discipline precision synchronization demonstrated by participants through months-long rigorous training for this event which raises questions about conformity limits on artistic expression under totalitarian regimes like those found throughout much if not all contemporary society today
Peculiar Time Zone North Korea's time zone, known as Pyongyang time or Korean Standard time, is unique and was created to distance itself from Japan. The adoption of this new timezone has had practical implications for businesses and international travelers but serves as a reminder of North Korea's distinct identity.
Three Generation Punishment Policy The three-generation punishment policy in North Korea targets not only the accused but also their entire family for up to three generations. This system instills fear among citizens and ensures conformity with the regime by punishing families who fail to demonstrate loyalty.
Cult of Personality and Eternal Leaders The cult of personality surrounding the Kim Dynasty in North Korea reinforces absolute authority over its population while fostering collective identity through veneration towards deceased leaders such as Kim il-sung whose preserved body lies at Kumsusan Palace.