The exterior of North Korea’s Mangyongdae Children’s Palace: The Mangyongdae Children’s Palace is an unusual academy in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, where the most gifted children in the country are sent in order to develop their talents. The intent is to showcase the children and their capabilities as evidence of the superiority of … Continue reading
North Korean government officials are, at least outwardly, very proud of their country’s accomplishments and seem to take a particular delight in one-upping the decadent, capitalist pigs in the outside world in any way possible. North Korea just can’t seem to let go of any opportunity to demonstrate that they are stronger, smarter, bigger, better … Continue reading
There are a lot of wild rumors about North Korea. In one of the weirdest countries of the world, this is understandable. However, the rumors about the Pyongyang Metro stand out even in the crowd of North Korean rumors. Rumors that the subway system is a facade, functioning only for the purpose of impressing visitors … Continue reading
Pyongyang is home and playground to the elite of North Korean society. As such, one will find the best and the most of anything in Pyongyang. That also means that one will find things in Pyongyang that are frequently not seen in the rest of the country. One such manifestation of this can be found … Continue reading
This extraordinary palace is home to the embalmed bodies of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, which are on full display nestled inside glass sarcophagi: Now, photography or recording of any kind is strictly forbidden inside and if there is one place in North Korea where you don’t want to fuck around, this is it. So, … Continue reading
An armed guard at the entrance to Pyongyang Film Studios, the state-run film production facility of North Korea: The studio is a sprawling complex that is located on the outskirts of Pyongyang: Kim Jong-il was a huge film fan and is rumored to have had one of the largest movie collections in the world. Of … Continue reading
Opened to coincide with Kim-Il-sung’s 70th birthday in 1982, the Grand People’s Study House was constructed as a sanctuary of learning and and as a force to intellectualize the nation. Our minder explained that, specifically, this meant using the center to further one’s socialist training and to develop an even greater respect and love for … Continue reading
The Velvet Rocket 