4 Myths about North Korea, DEBUNKED
A Thread🧵⬇️
A Thread🧵⬇️
1. "NORTH KOREAN STUDENTS AND MEN ARE FORCED TO HAVE THE SAME HAIRCUT"
The myths around North Koreans haircuts is one of the more absurd myths pushed by the main stream media.
So much so that it is filled with contradictory claims, all while having 0 evidence, such as below⬇️
The myths around North Koreans haircuts is one of the more absurd myths pushed by the main stream media.
So much so that it is filled with contradictory claims, all while having 0 evidence, such as below⬇️
With that being said though when it comes to North Korean haircuts they are still relatively conservative, and men are expected to have shorter hair.
Foreigners traveling in North Korea can ask for a Kim Jong Un haircut at a local barber, and have other styles performed on their hair that goes against the conservative North Korean hairstyle.
2. "THERE IS NO TRAFFIC IN PYONGYANG"
This use to be true, but is now outdated. As the country and economy has grown, so too has the countries traffic. Traffic can get quite intense in Pyongyang especially during morning and afternoon peak hours.
This use to be true, but is now outdated. As the country and economy has grown, so too has the countries traffic. Traffic can get quite intense in Pyongyang especially during morning and afternoon peak hours.
The days of the Pyongyang Traffic Girls are also fading away, as the country now relies on modern LED traffic lights.
Also, a North Korean-like Uber app was launched in 2019, which leads us onto the next Myth about North Korea.
Also, a North Korean-like Uber app was launched in 2019, which leads us onto the next Myth about North Korea.
3. "THERE’S NO INTERNET IN NORTH KOREA AND NOBODY OWNS A CELL PHONE"
Whilst the general public of North Korea do not have access to the Internet this doesn’t entirely mean Internet is not available in North Korea.
Whilst the general public of North Korea do not have access to the Internet this doesn’t entirely mean Internet is not available in North Korea.
Orascom, an Egyptian telecommunication company had partnered with Korea’s state owned KPTC to launch the DPRK’s very first 3G Koryolink service in 2008. In 2013 the service was first offered to foreigners travelling or working in North Korea which was then quickly restricted to..
...only foreigners working in North Korea.
The 3G service that is provided in North Korea is actually quite stable. It’s relatively fast, and it covers any area in Pyongyang and most of the rural cities.
The 3G service that is provided in North Korea is actually quite stable. It’s relatively fast, and it covers any area in Pyongyang and most of the rural cities.
It is estimated as many as six million North Koreans, about a quarter of the population, now have mobile phones. The cellphones they have accessed to are locally made North Korean phones and will only work inside the DPRK.
They are able to connect the intranet which gives them access to news, weather, online dictionary, games, a local Wikipedia and beauty apps.
They even have app stores where you purchase apps over the counter, have your phone connected to a PC & download the paid apps directly.
They even have app stores where you purchase apps over the counter, have your phone connected to a PC & download the paid apps directly.
4. "YOU CAN’T TAKE PHOTOS IN NORTH KOREA"
This is another outdated myth of North Korea. In the early years of tourism, it wasn’t possible to take photos outside of Pyongyang, or during your bus ride within Pyongyang.
This is another outdated myth of North Korea. In the early years of tourism, it wasn’t possible to take photos outside of Pyongyang, or during your bus ride within Pyongyang.
As tourism grew in the DPRK, officials and locally owned tour operators became more relaxed with this regulation and now photography is certainly possible to take in the country.
The only requirements of photography are no photos of military personnel or construction sites. Photos of soldiers at the DMZ within certain sections are totally fine.
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