24 Fun Facts About North Korea That You Didn’t Know!
- North Korea has the world’s Largest Standing Army.
- Kim Jong-un is the Current Leader of North Korea and he is the Youngest Head of State in the World.
- The Korean War Never Officially ended and there is still an Active Ceasefire in Place.
- The Pyongyang Metro is one of the deepest in the world.
- The Official Currency in North Korea is the Won.
- North Korea’s Capital City is Pyongyang, and it is the Largest City in the Country.
- Football (soccer) is the Most Popular Sport in North Korea and their National Team has Competed in some International Tournaments.
- North Korea has a policy called “Juche” which encourages Self-Reliance.
- North Korea has its own space agency, the National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA).
- North Korea has its Own Unique Calendar that is Based on their Leader’s Birth Year (1912).
- The Country has a De Facto National Religion called Juche, which is Based on Worshiping The Ruling Kim family.
- The Food Rationing System in North Korea is still in Effect and Most Citizens Rely on Government-Issued Rations to Survive.
- North Korea Operates one of the World’s Largest Organized Networks of Labor Camps for Political Prisoners and Other Detainees.
- North Korea is One of the Few Countries in the World that Still has a “Songbun” System, which Assigns every Citizen to a Particular Social Class Based on their Family Background.
- North Korea has an All-Female Music Group called Moranbong Band which Performs both Traditional and Modern Songs at Concerts and Special Events.
Table of Contents
Fun Facts About North Korea
Here are 24 Fun Facts About North Korea That You Didn’t Know!
1. North Korea has a policy called “Juche” which encourages Self-Reliance.
This policy is based on the idea that the North Korean people are self-reliant. The government provides citizens with everything they need to be independent. This includes food, housing, and medical care.
2. The Korean War Never Officially ended and there is still an Active Ceasefire in Place.
The Korean War is often referred to as the forgotten war. It officially began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea.
Despite numerous attempts, a peace treaty was never signed and the war eventually resulted in a stalemate. An active ceasefire has been in place since 1953, but Korea remains in a technical state of war.
3. North Korea has the World’s Largest Standing Army.
North Korea has the world’s largest standing army. With over 1.2 million active soldiers, North Korea boasts the world’s largest military force.
And with a sizeable reserve force of over 7 million, North Korea’s army is capable of mobilizing a significant fighting force at a moment’s notice.
4. Kim Jong-un is the Current Leader of North Korea and he is the Youngest Head of State in the World.
Kim Jong-un is the current leader of North Korea. He took over from his father, Kim Jong II, in 2011, aged just 27 years old. This made him the youngest head of state in the world at the time.
Kim Jong-un has since attempted to improve the country’s economy and relations with the international community.

5. North Korea has an All-Female Music Group called Moranbong Band which Performs both Traditional and Modern Songs at Concerts and Special Events.
The band is made up of North Korea’s most beautiful and talented women. The band performs a mix of traditional North Korean music and Western pop songs.
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6. North Korea is One of the Most Closed Countries in the World and It is Difficult to Get Information in or out of the Country.
North Korea is one of the most closed countries in the world. It is difficult to get information about what is happening there. Despite this, we know that the country is facing many problems.
7. North Korea’s GDP Per Capita is just $1,800 USD.
In North Korea, the GDP per capita is relatively low. The average citizen does not have a lot of disposable income
8. The Official Currency in North Korea is the Won.
North Korea’s official currency is the Korean People’s Won (KPW). The won was introduced in 1947, replacing the hwan at a rate of 1 won = 100 hwan. The second DPRK won was introduced in 2009, with an exchange rate of 100 old won = 1 new won.
9. The Pyongyang Metro is one of the deepest in the world.
The Pyongyang Metro is one of the deepest in the world and it’s believed to be up to 200 meters deep in some places. It is believed that this is because the government wants to protect its citizens from a nuclear attack.
The metro system is also used as a shelter for government officials in the event of an attack.
10. North Korea has a Number of Nuclear Weapons and is Believed to be Actively Pursuing more Weapons Programs.
An accurate assessment of North Korea’s nuclear weapons stockpile is notoriously difficult. Nevertheless, it is generally agreed that the country possesses a significant number of nuclear warheads.
Additionally, there is evidence that North Korea is actively pursuing the development of new missiles.

11. North Korea is Home to some of the Most Isolated Communities in the World.
North Korea is home to some of the most isolated communities in the world. These communities are cut off from the outside world and have very little contact with people from other countries.
12. North Korea has its own space agency, the National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA).
National Aerospace Development Administration NADA was established in 2013 to promote the country’s aerospace industry. NADA is responsible for North Korea’s space program, including its rocket launches and satellite research.
13. North Koreans are Not Allowed to Travel Abroad without Permission from the Government.
North Koreans cannot travel abroad without permission from the government. If they wish to go overseas, they must first obtain a visa from the authorities.
Those who are caught trying to leave the country without permission can be subject to punishment, including imprisonment.
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14. North Korea has its Own Unique Calendar that is Based on their Leader’s Birth Year (1912).
North Korea has its own unique calendar that is based on their leader’s birth year. This calendar, known as the Juche calendar, was introduced in 1997 and is used alongside the Gregorian calendar.
The Juche calendar counts years starting from 1912, the year that North Korea’s founder, Kim Il Sung, was born. Each year is divided into 13 months, with each month consisting of 28 days.
15. Internet Access is Strictly Regulated by the Government and only Certain Individuals are Allowed Access to it.
North Korea has an intranet which is relatively new, only having been established in 2014.
It is not connected to the World Wide Web and only consists of around 28 websites. These websites are all government propaganda sites or state-run media outlets
16. North Korea has an Extensive Propaganda Machine that spreads information about its Political Views and Policies through State-Controlled Media.
North Korea’s propaganda machine is extensive. It disseminates information about the country’s accomplishments and glorifies the Kim dynasty. It also works to brainwash the populace and keep them isolated from the outside world.
17. North Korea’s Capital City is Pyongyang, and it is the Largest City in the Country.
It is the largest city in the country, and its streets are lined with towering skyscrapers. The city is home to more than two million people, and it is a bustling metropolis full of energy and excitement.

18. The Country has a De Facto National Religion called Juche, which is Based on Worshiping The Ruling Kim family.
Juche is based on the ideological principles of self-reliance and self-sufficiency. The founding father of the DPRK, President Kim Il Sung, formulated the ideology of Juche.
Juche has two main components: looking to oneself for everything, and valuing one’s own labor and creativity.
19. The Food Rationing System in North Korea is still in Effect and Most Citizens Rely on Government-Issued Rations to Survive.
The dietary restriction system first put in place during the North Korean famine is still in effect today. On average, citizens are only allotted 1840 calories per day.
This power struggle between the people and the government has played out for decades, with no end in sight.
20. In 2013, North Korea Declared Itself a Nuclear State after Conducting Multiple Nuclear Tests.
This action was in defiance of international calls for restraint, and indicates that North Korea is willing to stand up to the international community.
North Korea has been steadily increasing its nuclear capabilities in recent years, and this move was seen as a majorstep forward in its efforts to become a fully-fledged nuclear power.
21. North Korea Operates one of the World’s Largest Organized Networks of Labor Camps for Political Prisoners and Other Detainees.
These camps are carefully organized and provide a steady source of forced labor for the country. Conditions in these camps are often brutal, and prisoners are treated as little more than slaves.
Despite the horrific conditions, many North Koreans continue to be sent to these camps each year.
22. Football (soccer) is the Most Popular Sport in North Korea and their National Team has Competed in some International Tournaments.
In North Korea, the most popular sport is football (soccer). The national team is highly competitive and consistently ranked amongst the best in Asia.
23. North Korea is One of the Few Countries in the World that Still has a “Songbun” System, which Assigns every Citizen to a Particular Social Class Based on their Family Background.
North Korea employs a unique social stratification system called “Songbun.” Songbun determines a person’s place in North Korean society and influences their access to education, employment, and necessities like food and housing.
Few other countries in the world still utilize a STRATIFICATION SYSTEM LIKE THIS.

24. The Country’s Education System is Based on Memorization and Rote Learning Rather Than Critical Thinking or Creativity.
The education system in this country is based on memorization and rote learning.
This means that students are expected to learn information by repetition, without true understanding. Unfortunately, this method of learning often leads to frustration.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you enjoyed learning some fun facts about North Korea. With all the news currently circulating around this intriguing country, it’s important to remember the people living through these events.
We wish peace and prosperity to the North.
FAQs : Fun Facts About North Korea
- Can North Koreans ever leave?
Yes, North Koreans are allowed to leave the country, but they must obtain special permission from the government. If they leave without permission, they may be arrested or sent to a labor camp.
- Does North Korea have electricity?
Yes, North Korea has a reliable electricity grid. However, due to sanctions and other economic restrictions, the country is unable to import the necessary fuel supplies to meet its citizens’ needs. This has led to frequent power outages and blackouts.
- Are tourists allowed into North Korea?
Yes, tourists are allowed into North Korea as long as they are accompanied by a government-approved tour guide. However, there are some restrictions on what tourists are allowed to see and do.
- Can Americans Go to Korea?
Yes, Americans are allowed to go to North Korea. However, the US government strongly advises against it, as there is a risk of arrest or detainment. If you are thinking of traveling to North Korea, it is important to be aware of these risks and make an informed decision.
- Is alcohol forbidden in North Korea?
Alcohol is forbidden in North Korea due to the country’s strict religious beliefs. The sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited by law, as the government believes it can lead to moral corruption and social disorder.