North Korea: 5 Normal Things you won't Find in the Hermit Kingdom

As you would expect, North Korea is quite a bit different than the western world. Many of the things we thake for granted are banned in North Korea. It's hard to imagine walking down a street with no cars, losing electricity at any time of the or getting send to a labor camp for speaking your mind, but these are realities the North Korean people are faced with. Below are five items we see or experience every day that are virtually nonexistent in NK.

1. Vehicles

If you ever find yourself visiting the Hermit Kingdom, one of the most inmediately apparent differences between them and the rest of the wolrd is their transportation. Virtually, no one in the contry has a car or knows how to drive. There are some exceptions, including public transit officials and some goverment drivers, but the country is largely resigned to public transit and bicycles.
Walking the streets of North Korea, you may see a gobernment car or two pass by, but the streets are nearly always empty. There are a lot of people on bikes and even more walking, but driving is not usually and option. Those who are lucky enough to obtain a driving certificate are usually never allowed to drive by themselves unlees they are awarded a special permit, further restricting the amount of cars oh the road

1. Outside TV

There are some televisions in North Korea, but you'd be fool to think the government doesn't give the green light on anything shown on TV. North Korean citizens have virtually no idea of what the ouside world look like, and only think of the, as all of their information come from government sources.
There are only three major television channels in the country, with the fourth being a new addition dedicated to sports. North Koreans who watch tv get spoon-fed all of the information that the government wants them to know, with the addition of a new false details to sweeten the story. It is currently illegal to watch anything from South Korea, and people have been imprisoned and executed for turning the dial too far towards South Korea.

1. Music

Music is the universal language, but is should come as no surprise that the government controls much of the music that is played in the country. If there was ever a country where music would be banned, it would North Korea, but they didn't go that far. Instead, the leaders have traditionally policed the content in the music, as well as ensured that no outside music make it into the country.
Music actually may be one of the very few sources of free(ish) expression in NK. THere are parameters on what someone can play, but only if they stay in-line with lyrics creative liberties can sometimes be taken in the music. There are pop stars in NK, but all of the music must be vetted before release. Don't expect to hear any Drake or Justin Bieber playing in NK.

1. The Internet

The internet is technically available in NK, though very few of its citizens are computer literate. The country likes to put on the guise of computer literacy. But in practice, not many North Koreans can navigate their way around a computer.
This is partially due the electricity shortage in the country, but also the fact that the government controls all of the available websites. Only about 30 websites are available in NK and they probably contain exactly what you'd expect. There are sites dedicated to their leader, Kim Jong-Un, tourism sites, restaurant recommendations, and anything else that won't ruffle any feathers. Almost everything on the North Korean internet has a hint of propaganda to it and the gobernment clearly has its hand in all of it.

1. Elections

While there are official elections in NK, they are generally considered show elections rather than the real thing. Unlike western democratic elections, North Korea employs a mandatory election, where there is only one candidate on the ballot. Because it is mandatory, attendance is always exactly at 100% or almost.
Many defectors have claimed that the elections double as an unofficial censure of the population, as anyone who doesn't show up is investigated and eventually found. While there is only one candidate on the ballots, voters are technically allowed to cross out the selection and vote for whoever they want. Of course, those who go this route are singled out and need to go a special booth. Many defectors have stated that this is far too risky and virtually, no one actually goes through with it.