What is Life Really Like in North Korea?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There is a growing curiosity and intrigue about how life goes on in North Korea. A handful of reporters and journalists have attempted to record and document the existence of settlers from the other side of the border.

Watch the video below then be ready for a discussion.

Discussion Questions:

1. After watching the video, how would you describe living conditions in North Korea? Why do you think it is called the Hermit Kingdom?
2. Describe education of children in North Korea.
3. What punishment does a North Korean citizen get if he or she talks against the government?
4. How did you react after watching the video?
5. Why do you think some citizens still choose to stay in North Korea despite the harsh living conditions?

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4 replies on “What is Life Really Like in North Korea?”

Discussion Questions:
1. After watching the video, how would you describe living conditions in North Korea? Why do you think it is called the Hermit Kingdom?
I think, a “bleak existence” describes very well the conditions in North Korea, additionally to the usual lack of freddom in a dictatorship, the suffer a lot of problems and shortages like food, medical care, lack of human rights, etc.
In my opinion is called Hermit Kingdom not only because of their tough dictatorship but also because is complete isolate from the rest of the world due to the sanctions they are suffering. Maybe now because of the Russia – Ukraine war this isolation is getting a little weaker with some countries like Russia and China.

2. Describe education of children in North Korea.
Strict rules and cult of the dictator is in daily basics for all citizens in North Korea, in addition, the education is all planned ahead for the Government. Education system and training for the children is based for justify and maintain all the Regime, and there will not be any kind of choice in the future for them, because the Regime assigns the job according with the necessities.

3. What punishment does a North Korean citizen get if he or she talks against the government?
It will affect all the entire family. It’s a caste society and to talk against the Regime will demote all the family members, affecting their livelihood with even more suffering that they already have.

4. How did you react after watching the video?
Well, I have listened something about North Korea in the Radio. It’s terrible to be born in a country like that, without any kind of freedom and suffering a lot of problems, about all, food shortages and famine.

5. Why do you think some citizens still choose to stay in North Korea despite the harsh living conditions?
It is almost impossible to escape from North Korea. I have listened some defectors’ histories and for them was almost impossible to scape. But even if you get it, there will be a very big problem for the family that remain there… so, worth it?

You wrote some interesting insights. Well done.

Take a look at a better way to write this sentence:

I have listened some defectors’ histories and for them was almost impossible to scape. But even if you get it, there will be a very big problem for the family that remain there… so, worth it?

have listened I’ve heard of some defectors histories stories and for them, it was almost impossible to escape. But even if you get it out, there will be a very big problem for the your family that remains there. So, it is worth it?

Looking forward to reading your next entry.

1. Living in that country is like living in a cage, you can only see the walls but not what is on the other side. I think that is why is called the Hermit Kingdom.
2. I think the education there is very limited, and focused towards their leaders. The are educated to follow them at any cost.
3. They are degraded to a lower cast, and therefore their lives become much more difficult.
4. I already knew most of the things, but I am still sad due to the existence of these kind of societies, still today.
5. I think because they cannot really go out, or maybe leaving their country will mean that their family will suffer the consequences. In other cases, maybe is just ignorance about what is outside their country.

You wrote good answers. However, you can note some minor changes you can make in the following sentences:

I think that is why is called the Hermit Kingdom.

I think that is why it is called the Hermit Kingdom.

In other cases, maybe is just ignorance about what is outside their country.

In other cases, maybe it is just ignorance about what is outside their country.

I think the education there is very limited, and focused towards their leaders. The are educated to follow them at any cost.

I think the education there is very limited to teaching their young people only about their leaders. They are instructed to follow them at any cost.

Until your next entry!

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