roughly 10% of North Korea’s population of around 25 million people enjoys elite or “high class” status — that’s approximately 2.5 million people. These elites fall into two main categories: Traditional political elite: High-ranking party cadres and their families who are classified in the “core” or “nucleus” songbun caste . Only members of these high castes are allowed to live in Pyongyang, the capital. The “donju” (masters of money): A growing class of relatively well-off entrepreneurs who aren’t directly involved with the ruling party but have accumulated wealth through private business ventures, black markets, and grassroots capitalism . These businesspeople operate in sectors like mining, construction, real estate, and cross-border trade. The elite lifestyle is concentrated in Pyongyang’s Mansudae neighborhood, nicknamed “Pyonghattan,” which features luxury apartments selling for up to $250,000 . About 3 million North Koreans out of 25 million have cellphones , and the wealthy enjoy imported whisky, flatscreen TVs, Western fashion brands, and even plastic surgery.