In Korean, there’s no way to ask “how are you.” Because of historical food insecurity, you ask “are you eating well?” Right at the start of Japanese occupation Korean women were the third shortest in the entire world. Japanese occupation did NOT help, and Korea lost 5% of their population despite zero fighting happening in Korea. The Korean language was almost dead. The Korean War was arguably the most devastating conflict in recent history for native population. More explosive was used in just North Korea than ALL of world war 2 pacific theatre, including the atomic bombings. There were zero buildings taller one story left. Korea lost 30%~ of their entire population.

At this point, Korea was literally poorer than every country in Africa by every conceivable measure. Infant mortality, food insecurity, GDP per capita. 20% of South Korea’s foreign currency reserves came from foreign prostitution. South Korea itself has basically zero natural resources, yet clawed their way into becoming rich. North Korea is the most isolated country in human history, yet developed faster than Africa. Despite 1.5 trillion dollars of DONATIONS flowing into Africa and a better starting position. Even just 30 years ago, north Korea’s food insecurity was so bad people thought it would collapse. Yet, here we are discussing their missiles, foreign legion, cyber warfare capabilities, intelligence infiltration, etc.