The Average Day
The average day for many North Koreans is far different than what we are accustomed to in the U.S. Only some enjoy a bit of modern privileges such as indoor plumbing, cars, phones, TVs, etc.
An average house or apartment usually has no flush toilets, and a fireplace for a "heating system"
Electricity is sporadic(1) and unreliable, most homes only get 2-4 hours a day of electricity, which means...
No cooked Ramen Noodles!?:^(
Money Problems
About 1/2 (of the low population of 24 million some) are close to or in "extreme poverty(2)" (mind you the government doesn't step in to help)
The average GDP Per Capita(3) is about $1,800 a year which is far less than South Korea's $32,400 rate. Most workers only earn about $2-3 a month, and $10 for anyone doing extra side jobs. Overall North Korea has terrible money problems. It's obvious that this is going to effect the people terribly.
Extra Living Condition Facts
-The families that can afford two TVs. They use the first set for the pre-set State Channels, always airing propaganda(4) (often used to create nationalism(5); and the other illegal set is used to watch South Korean shows, but often proves to be a hassle to recieve these shows.
-Parents that want to send their child to school must pay for a chair or desk, materials, and contribute to the cost of heating.
-If the parents can't pay, their child has to work for the school (fairly managable, small tasks) to pay for these things.
-The parents could also ('illegally') choose to not send their child to school.
-North Korea claims to have a "free" medical system but patients have to pay for their medications, heating cost, and must make their own food at home.
-There is around 1.5 million (only about 1/24 of the population!!) phone users; but the service is spotty, and there is no internet!:^(
-Overall living conditions are decreasing, and life is hard for non-official/non-government workers
Overall North Korea provides terrible living conditions for it's people. So you must ask, why don't the people know about this yet? It's because they are restricted from computer use. The government is worried that if the people see how great the rest of the world is then they will rebel against the leaders. They are most likely correct.
(1)Sporadic: 1; Occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few
places; scattered or isolated. 2; occasionally.
(2)"Extreme Poverty": The most severe state of poverty; many cannot meet basic
needs for food, water, shelter, sanitation, and health care.
(3)GDP Per Capita: Gross Domestic Product; how much the income for the people is, or the country's overall outcome of the economy.
(4)Propaganda: Information, based on a misleading nature, used to promote or publicize
a particular political cause or point of view. it is used often by China and North Korea to get approval from the people and to make them feel included, and in North Korea's case to create a "Common Enemy" out of the USA.
(5)Nationalism: A patriotic feeling, or sense of pride in one's homeland or country.
(6)"Common Enemy": The situation when someone (or a country) uses a kind of pursuation to create hatred or dislike towards someone/something for a specific cause or purpose.
The average day for many North Koreans is far different than what we are accustomed to in the U.S. Only some enjoy a bit of modern privileges such as indoor plumbing, cars, phones, TVs, etc.
An average house or apartment usually has no flush toilets, and a fireplace for a "heating system"
Electricity is sporadic(1) and unreliable, most homes only get 2-4 hours a day of electricity, which means...
No cooked Ramen Noodles!?:^(
Money Problems
About 1/2 (of the low population of 24 million some) are close to or in "extreme poverty(2)" (mind you the government doesn't step in to help)
The average GDP Per Capita(3) is about $1,800 a year which is far less than South Korea's $32,400 rate. Most workers only earn about $2-3 a month, and $10 for anyone doing extra side jobs. Overall North Korea has terrible money problems. It's obvious that this is going to effect the people terribly.
Extra Living Condition Facts
-The families that can afford two TVs. They use the first set for the pre-set State Channels, always airing propaganda(4) (often used to create nationalism(5); and the other illegal set is used to watch South Korean shows, but often proves to be a hassle to recieve these shows.
-Parents that want to send their child to school must pay for a chair or desk, materials, and contribute to the cost of heating.
-If the parents can't pay, their child has to work for the school (fairly managable, small tasks) to pay for these things.
-The parents could also ('illegally') choose to not send their child to school.
-North Korea claims to have a "free" medical system but patients have to pay for their medications, heating cost, and must make their own food at home.
-There is around 1.5 million (only about 1/24 of the population!!) phone users; but the service is spotty, and there is no internet!:^(
-Overall living conditions are decreasing, and life is hard for non-official/non-government workers
Overall North Korea provides terrible living conditions for it's people. So you must ask, why don't the people know about this yet? It's because they are restricted from computer use. The government is worried that if the people see how great the rest of the world is then they will rebel against the leaders. They are most likely correct.
(1)Sporadic: 1; Occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few
places; scattered or isolated. 2; occasionally.
(2)"Extreme Poverty": The most severe state of poverty; many cannot meet basic
needs for food, water, shelter, sanitation, and health care.
(3)GDP Per Capita: Gross Domestic Product; how much the income for the people is, or the country's overall outcome of the economy.
(4)Propaganda: Information, based on a misleading nature, used to promote or publicize
a particular political cause or point of view. it is used often by China and North Korea to get approval from the people and to make them feel included, and in North Korea's case to create a "Common Enemy" out of the USA.
(5)Nationalism: A patriotic feeling, or sense of pride in one's homeland or country.
(6)"Common Enemy": The situation when someone (or a country) uses a kind of pursuation to create hatred or dislike towards someone/something for a specific cause or purpose.