North Korea, often referred to as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a secretive and isolated country with a unique and often bizarre set of facts and characteristics. Here are some weird and fascinating facts about North Korea:
Calendar System: North Korea uses its own calendar system, known as the "Juche calendar," which starts from the birth of Kim Il-sung, the country's founding leader. So, the year 2023 in North Korea would be Juche 112.
Haircuts: North Korea has specific rules regarding hairstyles. Men can choose from a list of government-approved haircuts, and there are 15 allowed styles, while women can choose from 18 approved styles. In 2013, there was a "state-sanctioned" campaign forcing young men to adopt Kim Jong-un's signature haircut.
Three Generations of Punishment: North Korea practices a policy called "Three Generations of Punishment." If someone is convicted of a political crime, their children and grandchildren can also face punishment and be sent to prison camps.
Pyongyang Metro Stations: The Pyongyang Metro, North Korea's subway system, has extremely deep underground stations designed to double as bomb shelters. Some of these stations are among the deepest in the world.
No Traffic Lights: Until 2012, Pyongyang was said to have had only a few traffic lights, and they were mostly turned off due to power shortages. Instead, traffic officers controlled intersections manually.
Kim Jong-il's Golf Skills: The country's late leader, Kim Jong-il, was said to be an avid golfer. According to North Korean state media, he once played a round of golf and scored 11 holes-in-one, a feat that defies all statistical probability.
No Traffic Jams: North Korea is known for its lack of traffic congestion, even in its capital city, Pyongyang. The restricted number of private cars and the lack of proper infrastructure lead to minimal traffic jams.
"No Mother's Day, Just Flowers Day": North Korea does not officially celebrate Mother's Day. Instead, they have "The Day of the Sun," which marks the birthday of Kim Il-sung, and on this day, children are encouraged to offer flowers to statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il.
Fake Buildings: In an effort to create an illusion of prosperity and development, North Korea has reportedly constructed "fake" buildings, which appear complete from the outside but are empty on the inside.
Hair Dye Ban: Until 2019, North Korean men were not allowed to dye their hair. The government feared that hair dye could lead to health issues, but it was also speculated that it was to discourage people from imitating Kim Jong-un's distinctive hairstyle.
It's important to note that obtaining reliable and up-to-date information about North Korea can be challenging due to the country's isolation and strict control of information. Many of the facts and stories about North Korea come from defectors and external sources, so some of these claims may be difficult to verify independently.