Nations have fought wars over seemingly insignificant objects. There was the bloody war about a bucket, the revolution that began with a dispute about an unpaid wig, and the big kerfuffle over […]
The Tree That Almost Caused a Second Korean War
North Korea’s Spectacular and Embarrassing Hotel of Doom
Standing at 1,080 feet (330 meters), the Ryugyong Hotel towers over the Pyongyang skyline. The spectacular marvel of architecture has earned many distinctions. It was conceived to be the world’s tallest hotel, […]
There May Be More Tigers in Texas Than Roaming Wild in the Rest of the World
If you want to find a lot of tigers, most of us would imagine a journey to India or western Asia. Few would think to plan a trip to Texas. Even so, […]
Haircuts in North Korea Are a Big, Fat, Hairy Deal
Just when we thought we had run out of utterly bizarre things to report about North Korea, something else presents itself. The nation may be financially bankrupt, but as far as entertainment […]
Koreans Age Differently Than the Rest of the World
Your age is one thing that is cross-cultural, or so you would think. If you are 25 years old in the United States, you are 25 years old in South Africa. This […]
Pulgasari: the Crazy Story of North Korea’s Godzilla Rip-Off
The movie Pulgasari at first glance is nothing more than a B film that is clearly a rip-off of Godzilla. It is one of those “so bad that it’s good” films that is […]
Reading, Writing, and Accordions: Education in North Korea
Due to its portability and ability to be carried during a march to a construction site or a “voluntary” day of hard labor in the fields, the accordion has been a favorite […]
The Top Myths North Koreans Are Told About Their Leaders
As previously noted on these pages, North Korea’s official news agency has been a goldmine of implausible gems. This is not a new phenomenon. The state-run news outlet has long been responsible […]
North Korea Discovers Unicorn Lair — Still Unable to Find Food for Its People
Although it is officially the second century in North Korea, that doesn’t mean the Hermit Kingdom isn’t capable of groundbreaking discoveries. This point was driven home in 2012 when North Korea’s official […]
Back When Tigers Used to Smoke
English fairy tales traditionally start with the words “Once upon a time,” but Korean stories start with, “Back when tigers used to smoke.” source
North Korea: A Second-Century Kind of Country
Anyone who has seen satellite photos of North Korea at night and noted the absence of electric lights might conclude it is a country that is operating behind the times, but would […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 