10 Most Surprising Things About North Korea – A Journey Into the World’s Most Secretive Country

North Korea is known as one of the world’s most secretive nations. But beneath the surface lies a range of strange and surprising details that few people know. Here are 10 of the most unexpected facts that will make you see the country in a new light — from luxury oddities to bizarre laws.

#10: North Korea Has Its Own Operating System

The country has developed its own operating system called Red Star OS. It closely resembles macOS in design but is built to monitor and restrict users’ online activity. Even hard drive metadata is altered to reflect the regime’s narrative.

#9: There Are Luxury Hotels — That Sit Empty

In the heart of the capital, Pyongyang, stands the Ryugyong Hotel — a 105-story skyscraper once intended to be the world’s tallest hotel. However, it has never officially opened, and many of the country’s grand luxury buildings now sit abandoned — monuments to delusions of grandeur.

#8: Kim Jong-un Is a Huge Movie Buff

North Korea’s leader is reportedly a major fan of Western films — especially action and animation. There are reports he owns a massive collection of Hollywood movies and has even tried to build a North Korean film industry inspired by Pixar and Disney.

#7: There’s a Disneyland-Style Amusement Park

In Pyongyang, you’ll find the Mangyongdae Funfair, an amusement park with roller coasters, carousels, and a Ferris wheel. Though it looks festive, the park is mainly used for propaganda photos, and many of the rides are often nonfunctional.

#6: North Korea Uses a Different Calendar

North Korea doesn’t follow the Gregorian calendar like the rest of the world. Instead, it uses the Juche calendar, which starts from the birth year of the nation’s founder, Kim Il-sung, in 1912. So, the year 2025 in Denmark equals Juche 114 in North Korea.

#5: There Are Three Social “Classes” of Citizens

Citizens are divided into a strict hierarchy called Songbun, which ranks individuals based on their political and social loyalty to the regime. Your classification determines everything — from your job and housing to access to food and education.

#4: Only State-Approved Hairstyles Are Allowed

North Koreans can’t choose just any hairstyle. There are official lists of approved haircuts — 18 for women and 10 for men — and young men are especially encouraged to copy Kim Jong-un’s haircut.

#3: They Built a City Just to Deceive

The town of Kijong-dong, near the demilitarized zone with South Korea, is known as the “Propaganda Village.” It’s full of colorful buildings, but no one lives there. It was constructed to convince South Koreans of North Korea’s “prosperity.”

#2: Punishments Are Inherited by Children and Grandchildren

In North Korea, punishment isn’t limited to the individual. If someone commits a serious crime against the state, their children and grandchildren can also be sent to labor camps. This principle is known as guilt by association, and it’s used to eliminate “bad bloodlines.”

#1: There’s Virtually No Electricity at Night

A satellite night photo shows the Korean Peninsula — South Korea glowing with light, while North Korea lies in darkness. The country has extremely limited access to electricity, and most of the population lives in the dark once the sun sets.

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