North Korea has a population of over 24 million.
Initially, the Korean Peninsula was inhabited by the Tungus peoples who came here from the northwestern regions of Asia.
Today, the ethnic composition of North Korea is represented by:
- Koreans;
- other nations (Chinese, Japanese).
The population of North Korea is divided into numerous groups (depending on their origin), which form 3 layers:
- “Main” (workers, people from farm laborers, civil servants, families of military personnel, war heroes);
- "Hesitant" (former middle peasants, artisans, small and medium merchants),
- “Hostile” (former kulaks, landlords, reactionary officials, personnel workers removed from their posts, Chinese Koreans who returned from China to Korea in the 1950s).
195 people live per 1 sq. Km, but the western coastal regions are the most densely populated.
The official language is Korean.
Large cities: Pyongyang, Hamhung, Nampo, Wonsan, Hungnam, Chongjin, Kaesong, Sinuiju, Sariwon, Kange.
North Koreans practice Confucianism and Buddhism.
Life span
Women live on average to 74, and men to 69.
Despite rather good indicators, the state allocates only 3% of GDP to health care, and many hospitals and clinics lack highly qualified doctors, medicines and equipment. The main problems facing the population of North Korea are malnutrition, tuberculosis, pneumonia.
Since the health care system in the country is very poorly developed, traditional medicine is widespread here (acupuncture, ginseng in capsules, teas and tinctures, massage, leeches).
Going to North Korea, you should beware of such diseases as hepatitis B, E, tuberculosis, gastrointestinal tract diseases, tropical fever, Japanese encephalitis (get vaccinated, take personal hygiene items and an individual first-aid kit).
Traditions and customs of North Koreans
Traditional family values have a great influence on Korean society: Koreans respect their parents and the elderly, and they respect power and justice.
Koreans are hardworking people who value order, so the streets of local cities are always clean (every morning they voluntarily clean streets, parks, squares).
All areas of Korean life are based on a system of communality and hierarchy. For example, the elders of the villages are endowed with no less power than the people who occupy leading positions in the local cells of the WPK, and the veterans of war and labor are freed here from many household jobs.
As for food, you can start a meal only after the oldest one does it, and as soon as he leaves the table, the rest should do the same.
Have you decided to visit North Korea? Don't be surprised if a Korean who pushed you or stepped on your foot in the street walks by without apologizing. This is not a manifestation of disrespect for a person, but an unwillingness to bring him inconvenience (so that he does not apologize in return to the offender who will apologize to him).
