What is it like to live in North and South Korea today? How different are these countries? In the following blog we will answer your questions about the lifestyle of these countries.
Translation by Laura Fino y Angie Salavarria.
It is not a lie that in the past its inhabitants lived in the same territory. However, political and social relations generated the division of Korea into: North Korea and South Korea. Currently, it is not easy to access information about the northern country due to its regime.
Here are the most surprising differences between these countries:
First, no South Korean can cross the border without prior notice. Second, no North Korean can interact with any foreigner. Third, journalists are prohibited from entering this nation, as it is not allowed to take photos or record videos without permission.
It should also be mentioned that only one in ten people have a mobile phone, working with the only practical and limited operating network belonging to the North Korean mobile market, Koryolink, while South Korea is called one of the most “connected” countries in the world.
Concerning their development, until 1973, the two Koreas were fairly even in terms of wealth. Since then, South Korea’s industrial sector has progressed rapidly, becoming one of the world’s leading industrial players with powerful multinational companies, such as Samsung and Hyundai. Therefore, the two Koreas are very in contrast in that sense.
On the one hand, South Korea, purely capitalist with an active economy, continues to progress by leaps and bounds. Indeed, in cities like Seoul and Busan this is reflected. On the other hand, North Korea is under a communist regime, which over the time has become lighter. It has not shown much progress in social development, and it continues to depend on the export of raw materials.
Besides, North Korea is the fourth country with the biggest army in the world. Its government is focused on that aspect, so much so that military spending accounts for 25% of the GDP, and almost all North Korean men have to go through some kind of military training. Unbelievable, right?
With these facts, we can give us an idea of the real panorama about the lifestyle and the differences existing between these nations, which curiously encourages thousands of tourists to see with their own eyes the great differences between the countries that used to be one.
Written by: Marcela Rodriguez
Edited by: Adamaris Llampara.
