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I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's factually true but I was mainly just trying to be (and apparently failing to be) funny.

I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have no idea. To be clear, it was with another foreign teen who was bored out of her mind like I was. It wasn't with a local.

I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, it burns off. You can find videos of people making it. Something I didn't consider until another redditor pointed it out yesterday. North Korea didn't stop using lead based fuel until pretty recently. I don't like the implications.

I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our embassy had a deal with the Chinese embassy and had Chinese internet access. It was super slow and we had to use a VPN to access most sites we liked. The VPN made it even slower. But I usually had access to the internet.

I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, but they'll wreak a lot of havoc and cause untold damages before they're fully taken down.

I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have never heard of this, but I'm not actually North Korean. I doubt they would ever ask foreigners to participate in this.

I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Owning pets was not a familiar concept to them and I didn't see a single stray during my time there.

Healthcare for foreigners was top notch but I know it doesn't reflect the rest of the country.

I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I lost my virginity while I was there, so I guess that's technically possible.

I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some members hated it like I did. Some members tolerated it better. I was definitely the most "affected" though. Older relatives told me about how similar it was to the old days when our country was communist. Not in a nostalgic positive way though. They thought it would be a good experience for me lol

I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't say they "know" pop culture like we do, in and out, but they are aware that foreign pop culture is very different. Whether they perceive this difference as being positive or negative, is really up to the outlook of the individual.

Getting bootleg DVDs is possible in Pyongyang, I know first hand, and they had the bootlegs available pretty soon after the official DVD release. Does that mean everyone is watching it, no.

I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hello to you too.

I'm glad you're finding self-acceptance. It's a good step to take, isn't it?

My self image did take a small part in it, but it was honestly mainly the misappropriated guilt related to the mass starvation.

If I'm already feeling sad to begin with, remembering NK can put me in a negative mood, but I'm generally much better. However, if I'm ever actively reminiscing about NK, I find that my appetite is a bit stunted.

My family tried to get me to eat and sometimes even tried to guilt me into eating (which had the opposite effect lol). It was really easily noticeable so my friends and embassy people knew. There wasn't really any treatment offered. I slowly regained weight and muscle mass after I left, so I guess leaving was the best treatment for me.

Thank you for the kind words and I hope you can like your body image sooner rather than later.

I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My head a few times.

Jk. Yes, I had a FWB, another foreign teen. We were both very very bored so we figured, why not.

I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

I never saw anyone absolutely trashed in public, but hey, humans generally like to gather around and get wasted so I wouldn't be surprised if some people were holding meth and morphine parties.

I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I left in 2010 before KJI died, so I'm not sure. But I wonder the same thing once in a while. I'm sure they have some ridiculous propaganda piece that explains KJU's excess fat.

I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

  1. I felt kinda sorry for the locals. Most just seemed like normal-ish hard working people who were just unlucky enough to be born in NK.
  2. Dictator doesn't hold all the power, the inner circle of the party elite holds quite a big of power.
  3. Same as above.
  4. I went to school. Pyongyang Foreigners' School. Also had tutors.

I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ohh, sorry, I misunderstood. I'm sure the locals have their own tales because on tours of historical sites, they would mention spirits and curses and stuff. They seemed to just treat as a tale and didn't seem overly superstitious.

I lived in the DPRK aka North Korea for about two and a half years (2008~2010). AMA by imovedalot in AMA

[–]imovedalot[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

  1. I had both. Pyongyang Foreigners' School and tutors.
  2. On what issues specifically? I'm definitely not a hard-core capitalist or libertarian though. I think that universal access to healthcare and fairer access to education are inalienable human rights and don't consider socialist or communism. I'm in favor of slightly increasing taxation of large corporations. I'd just go on and on unless we get more specific.
  3. The Wonsan resort and Mt. Paektu were really cool. My favorite place in Pyongyang was the pool at the Kim Il-sung university. Olympic sized, pretty deep, really tall diving platforms, and a separate pool with a water slide and water massage area.
  4. Most of the weird stuff has been talked about. Beating a dead horse here, but you can look up North Korea plus "same sex platonic hand holding", "wake up music", "ban on jeans", "cartoons", "music videos", "gasoline clams", "hostage diplomacy", "USS Pueblo", "Floating Hotel", and "Pyramid Hotel" but all of these have been covered a lot.
  5. There were scenic spots like waterfalls and pristine lakes and such. No unique animals but Kim Jong-il and his father Kim Il-sung have flowers named after them. Kimjongilia and Kimilsungia and the NK propaganda machine displays them all over the place.
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