17 interesting facts about the world's most censored country North Korea

The country, which is almost impossible to enter, attracts the attention of the whole world. The DPRK is still considered the most mysterious state on the planet, which makes every fact about it interesting and fascinating. OBOZREVATEL found out how the DPRK residents really live.

1. North Korea uses two calendars at once: the usual chronicle from the Nativity of Christ and Juche one. Recently, it has been counted from the date of birth of the ruler Kim Il Sung. Thus, the DPRK is now in its 110th year.

2. The whole world knows that there are two Koreas. However, most residents of the DPRK do not know about this, as have been taught since childhood that there is only one - Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

3. The DPRK is not a communist country. Once upon a time, the ideas of Marxism-Leninism really flourished here. However, in the middle of the last century, they evolved into the local Juche ideology.

4. Kim Jong Un is not the president of North Korea. The fact is that the country's constitution states that the sole and eternal leader of the state is the ruler Kim Il Sung. However, he died long ago. And all subsequent heads of state have the status of Supreme Leaders.

5. As for the life of ordinary people, there are many peculiarities. For example, they are allowed to have a hairstyle featured in the approved list only.

6. Women in North Korea are not allowed to ride bicycles because their knees are visible from under their skirts. They also can not wear pantsuits.

7. Residents of the capital cannot own a dog. Of course, there is a logical explanation for this, but no one knows which one exactly.

8. Televisions in the DPRK are subject to registration. So, to watch a movie or news, residents of the country have to fill out forms in special offices and get official permission.

9. Koreans hardly ever watch American TV shows anyway. Of course, they are broadcast on TV. But for some reason, they are shown as ones produced in other countries.

10. The news in the DPRK is never turned off. However, they are broadcast on the radio and last from early morning until late at night.

11. Freedom of speech in the country is unique. In terms of news integrity, the state occupies the penultimate place in the world ranking.

12. North Korea has its own alternatives of international holidays. Thus, instead of Christmas, they celebrate the birthday of Kim Jong Il's mother, and instead of Valentine's Day, they celebrate the name day of the general.

13. DPRK residents work almost without rest. They have to go to work 6 days a week and volunteer on the seventh.

14. Criminals in North Korea can be publicly executed even for minor, from the point of view of Europeans, offenses.

15. If a person is imprisoned for a crime, the whole family, including children, are put behind the gates too.

16. In the event of a fire, the first thing to be taken out of the house is not the children or the elderly, but the portrait of the leader. There is an order.

17. If after all these facts you still want to get to the DPRK, we have to disappoint you. Only 5,000 people a year receive permission from the ruler to enter the territory of the state. At all times, even at night, you will be accompanied by a special guide who will take you only along a pre-approved route and will have to make sure that you leave the country on time. If you violate at least one of the prohibitions, both of you will suffer and be punished according to North Korean law.