How Bad Is Life In North Korea? - North Korea: Desperate Or Deceptive - Politics Documentary
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 มิ.ย. 2024
- Himel takes an unprecedented tour of hospitals and schools that lack the fundamental basics to provide health care and education and meets a man who escaped from the Gulag to South Korea. The documentary features candid interviews with doctors, teachers, principals and students who talk openly about the terrible problems. The documentary also takes a rare look into the arts and discovers a much more human side of North Korean life. But is North Korea changing out of desperation or deception? While burdened economically, its Gulag prison camps still flourish. It is also arming with nuclear weapons.
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This was filmed in 2004. It breaks my heart thinking that nothing has changed in almost 20 years, only got worse. Where are these people now? How are they doing? Has the reality of adulthood in NK clipped these bright and talented high schoolers’ dreams? I hope everyone is doing ok…. This literally brings me to tears
They're doin just as terrible now as they were then. Gonna be even worst if Uns sister takes over.. she be lookin like she ready for some drama
US propaganda readily believed by the US herd!
How does it concern you?
Boohoo. It happens all over the world not just DPRK. There’s poverty in every country, there’s laws and rules that you may not agree with in every country.
@Cayne yea but I'm sure in most those other countries their population isn't as suppressed as the north Koreans, just speaking out against their government could land them in prison or worse a death sentence, that's harsh than most of these countries you speak of. It costs nothing to show a little humanity and compassion.
I've watched a number of other videos by people who had guided visits to North Korea.
Almost all of the, all made by different people at different times, showed almost the exact same place, the same restaurant, the same grocery store, same aisle in that store, same random farm family, repeated scenes of newlyweds being photographed in a park, the same subway station, the same childrens performance, the same hotel room view... The entire thing is preset and it's like a set with actors.
It’s called a Potemkin village or scene.
@@RJFPme I saw a video of a tourgroup going to "The Department Store" , to the "grocery section". It had only bags of chips and those kind of snack, display after display. He showed the sell by date was 5 years before.
It's all like a huge movie set.
So many of the highrises are just a shell.
North Korea malitery and nuclear weapons support by Evil China.
@@elizabethchen272 Yes. It's terrible.
Oh yeah. The "guided tours" are always the exact same, they show the same monuments and the same everything. I would like to see the part of North Korea where most of the citizens call home. But, I am sure that they are so impoverished that the Kim regime does not want the rest of the world to see their suffering...
The North Korean English language student is I think the saddest representation of the potential that exists in North Korea. For someone who has had no contact with the outside world, she speaks remarkably fluently. Imagine how much talent like that could develop if she had the resources available for better education?
There are probably more people like that in NK who are talented in other fields. Medicine, Agriculture, Education, Engineering, you name it. The potential for a great nation is squandered by the repressive government of the DPRK
I’ve been saying it for a long time, North Korea without the regime could be such an astonishing and thriving country on literally every aspect linked to it. look at the south, the south is one of the most developed countries in the world, economically wise, infrastructure wise, natural beauty, and as you mentioned highly educated and talented people, it’s literally peaking atm. we must not forget north and south Koreans are literally the same native ppl, all koreans…Koreans are known for their discipline,structure,and ability to make things work. I look at Japanese korean Chinese immigrants through the whole of Europe and they mostly all succeed to immigrate succefully and built up a life + get along in society, which for me is a very important aspect as well.
All this talent and potential wasted by the regime.. it’s a shame it really is..
Wake up, that only for very few, without denying the talent. We could think the same about those in Cuba. My question is who are the parents of these kids? What do they do? What about rural schools? What about the general population, this is pure communist propaganda.
To answer the question deceptive or desperate? Theanswer is both.
There is no mention to guest workers in Poland and other European countries from North Korea.
Many (arguably most) students who learn foreign languages do so with the help of one teacher. It has nothing to do with 'contact with the outside world.'
@@carmenl163 Carmen, you,'re missing the point. The question is who are their parents in the regime?
Only those kids have privileges, is communist totalitarian country.
Only the very few have the access.
That's the worse of the worse of a Communist totalitarian country in the world.
"I want to be a famous musician. So people will love me." That is the saddest fucking thing I have ever heard. That child honestly believes that he is not loved unless he performs on a high level. That is heart breaking.
@@servantofthelivinggod6192saying 1 cuss word is cussing like a sailor now? On a video about a country being oppressed and a comment about a child who knows he's not loved unless he's a great performer and all you saw was the word fucking. No one but you registered that word cause they were thinking about the suffering of a country.
Agreed......life COULD be so much better if humanity learns to work together and create a world of progress rather than a world of competition. Children COULD be raised in an environment of caring about others and a focus on the importance of real education.
But if you were to ask just about any group of 13-15 year olds in any culture of the world today, you would likely get the same answer. That little clip was intentionally left in the documentary to convey a feeling to the average viewer "that girl is just like my child.....or just like my child's friend".
So, the heart breaking part really is that modern humans have been whizzing around our little part of the Milky Way galaxy for 200,000+ years and we are still too focused on the latest wear-ables and curbside pickups instead of making a better world.
That's not just a North Korean thing. Lots of kids in East Asia think about fame like that for some reason. I could see a South Korean or Japanese kid saying the exact same thing (it's still sad though).
I heard something like that from a Japanese girl in Canada . Her biggest wish was to go back to Japan and be an escort . Honestly I was shocked . In later years I went to Japan . Beautiful country , but the people were like robots , hated foreigners , at the same time influence of US was felt heavily which mulled the Japanese pride and their hatred of the west .
Keep this in mind while you watch the video: everything from the poor quality of life, low standard of living, lack of any advanced technology, and inability to obtain basic medical treatment, all of that, is still for the ELITE 1% of the country.
All that is ever seen on these guided tours is the DMZ and the capital of Pyongyang, which is reserved for those heads of military and government that are loyal to the regime and their families. So while everything in Pyongyang is at best 50 years out of date, it's still better than anyone could hope for in the DPRK. So, take a moment as you silently shed a tear or give a tacit scream as you then realize just how truly horrifying the other 99% of the country must then live. 50 years out of date is probably a dream of the future considering they live in a pre-Industrial era world, one with hardly if any electricity or running water.
From space, all you can see at night is this tiny island of light emanating from Pyongyang. The rest of the country is swallowed into the inky blackness that's indistinguishable from the ocean, almost as if it had been submerged beneath the ocean and forgotten. An apt analogy as I wonder if that must be what it feels like for all those living in the rest of that country, North of Korea.
That is beautifully stated. My heart breaks for the innocent citizens of North Korea who have to live through horrific unimaginable adversities and have no freedoms. I truly hope that one day they will be liberated.
Nice speech
Masterfully put.
Much love brother
You have summed this up so well. It's an awful thought to think of how the 99% must live
I really wish there were more documentaries on North Korean life. So messed up that they’re so cut off and repressed. Poor people...😢
You can read Michael Malice's book Dear Reader or listen to his interviews, good info on Nk..
Yeonmi Park, defector has many videos!!
You can watch "Phuong DPRK Daily" YT channel, it has lots of info about North Korea.
I DONT CARE- IT IS THEIR NATION AND THEIR PROBLEMS, THEY SHOULD SOLVE THEIR ISSUES BY THEMSELDVES.
@@nyusa78 Your caps lock are stuck.
This came out in 2004, now 20 years ago (in 2024). Why not at least date it in the description?
I’m sure it hasn’t changed much 😂
@@guntv1195😂
@@guntv1195 actually it’s gotten worse, apparently. Lot of people starving over there, because they’ve had the border locked down since Covid. Since the government can’t feed their own people, most of their food was smuggled over the border from China. Now that smuggling is basically impossible, the markets are empty, and everyone is starving, just like their parents did back in the ‘90s.
@@guntv1195😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊❤😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊❤😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊❤😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
@@CivilizedWarrioryour news is better than CNN,fox new or BBC 😂
I feel bad not just for their people that need health treatment, but for their doctors and nurses that want to help them
You might want to take a look in our own backyard and get a pair of glasses. America the Eagle is good at seeing far away but never could see under its own nose. It takes the focus off our own problems.
@@garybrunecz7785 Maybe it's just me but acknowledging the dramatic situation and living conditions of another country (especially where people suffer under a totalitarian regime) does not automatically make you ignorant towards the problems existing in own country.
I seriously wonder where this hidden reproach comes from and whether it was actually necessary?
Crocodile tears, the US and UN sanction medical equipment so they can't import anything
Don't feel bad for them because they HATE YOU!
@@SherrillnShilohThis is true, but they are programmed to hate us. They have no access to the outside world and only believe what they are taught. It is sad.
My question is, were any of those people who spoke, and said unfavourable things during this interview arrested, imprisoned in one of these labour camps, and/or dead for what they’ve said? That’s what makes my stomach churn...
Yes they were the smart ones that did not show their face on camera we're okay,
I was also wondering about the woman who paid to get out. I thought the government would do something evil to her remaining family. I also did not know she would be allowed to send money back. Such a scary situation.
I am worried for the doctor
I have trouble imagining that people in such prominent positions, being allowed the rare opportunity to speak on camera with foreign press, would fail to toe the party line. My guess is it’s acceptable to talk about the hardships in North Korea, so long as the cause is sanctions and the US.
Edit: adding in, the hardships faced by the people on the film are the hardships of the elites. Nowhere close to what is being experienced in the countryside
I know, right? I am curious if they were moved to safety after saying what they said. Or, are they just being brutally honest, and trying any way that they can, to improve the living conditions for others. And my other question is about the military of north Korea. Why do they spend so much money on their military, when most of the citizens are starving. That money could be used in so many better ways, for that country. Add to that, they need to lose the insane paranoia that engulfs their every day lives. And start thinking about their suffering people...
Every time I watch anything about NK I become so sad. It's awful how much these poor people are suffering and how little we can do about it
We could totally solve the problem by helping the North and the South come together. And to stop sanctioning it into the poor house. Even its close friend the Chinese is hesitant to help the North out of fear of US retaliation.
@@trekpac2 Absolutely delusional opinion. You take into consideration absolutely 0 political ramifications of foreign intervention in North Korea.
Edit: "help North and South Korea come together"??? Are you suggesting that we say pretty please and hope that Kim Jong Un liberates the people?
u can do something if u dont tolerate ur government's toward certain foreign countries. NK gov is also another problem as well
@@natebarry5553 He lost me at "The Globalist" :)
America acts like it cannot do anything for North Korean people. But they are actually very capable. Like how America assassinated Osama Bin Laden in his secret hideout. American can assassinate Kim Family. But this operation would be very very expensive and had to be done very carefully with super complex planning with no excuse for failures.
However, there must be some military protocols in North Korea that orders its loyal soldiers to launch Nukes if Kim Jong Un suddenly lost contact.
America is also scared of China and Russia. North Korea is a communist country. It means that NK is a friend of China and Russia.
It's not like America can't do anything. We can't just risk WW3 or Nuclear War
From what one defector said, a bus driver earns more than a doctor so it's normal when you see a poorly equipped hospital.
Edit note: I think the Doctor spoke too much, I hope nothing bad happens to her.
"Desperate or Deceptive"? I'd say desperately trying to deceive. Excellent documentary.
My heart breaks watching this for the students, doctors, and patients there.
They are probably getting over the death of their ancestors murdered by the usa 65 years ago.
@@keithdonnellan5564 I rather doubt that is a common thought or concern of theirs with all the hunger and sickness they're dealing with. I'm not sure what point you might be trying to make or if you're just being a troll but I do know the history. That includes the history of what Japan was doing there and how they shipped around their women to use as "comfort" women and that they could have been left worse off if not for the USA's role in WW2. If you're trying to make me feel guilty over a war I wasn't even around for your barking up the wrong tree. I have no real desire to blame people of the past or point fingers but have much sympathy for the people stuck in North Korea's dystopian nightmare at this point with no say over their countries future. However I also believe there's no reason to spit on the graves of the people who died fighting beside Koeans and other ally troops to keep at least half of Korea free. I also have a lot of sympathy for those South Korean people who have family members still stuck in North Korea. Your comment strikes me as nothing but ignorant and a bit pathetic.
@@riverlady982 - My point is the usa. I think you misinterpreted my comment! I see the usa as a cancer on the world like islam.
@@keithdonnellan5564 It's NOT our job or duty to care of ANYONE but ourselves. Blame their communistic regime! How have u helped them??????????
God rewards those who are caring and kind to those less than. Unlike miss lisa above me
That school student was very carefully picked for her caution.
I'm genuinely surprised that the Doctor in this clip spoke so frankly about the situation regarding North Korean medical care. I'm shocked he was allowed to say that.
He probably died very soon after that...
US propaganda readily believed by the US herd! What about hunger, tent cities, drug addicts in the USA?😂😂😂😂😂
Hé was killed afterwards 😅
Me too, most North Korean documentaries you know they don't speak the truth. I wouldn't be surprised if they got arrested afterwards. They should have blurred his face or something.
He probably heard his door being pounded at midnight. Next morning, wonder where that doctor got to. Better not ask.
I’ve seen pictures snuck out of North Korea of starving and suffering people. Pictures were horrible.
My friend who showed me the pictures cried all the time. She always pray for Norh Korean people, and tells me to do so.
This documentary must have been filmed 20 or so years ago because none of these grand plans have come to fruition, and indeed, things have gone backwards.
The things are not much forward now either. It’s a hopeless ideological foolishness.
Her book, that stands on a shelf behind her, came out in 2015 (at least my Swedish edition). If you all haven't read it. Do sol
No sterilized gloves while performing surgery!!😳👀 absolutely wild
Very Bold Questions, i like you were journalistic skills.
Excellent documentary. Thank you.
The hospital looks more like a chemistry lab than a hospital.
Try living in Afghanistan. The US committed massive war crimes in the 50s. I wouldn't want to live there. But it's not an irrational state. It's a thorn in the side of China, and South Korea cannot absorb it. A lose-lose situation all around.
It doesnt really matter after this point since general medical services are non existant in the country.
@@johnlindgren273 What? Afghanistan had absolutely no connection with the original comment so why did you bring it up?
@@johnlindgren273 clown
US propaganda readily believed by the US herd! What about hunger, tent cities, drug addicts in the USA?😂😂😂😂😂
It was so brave of that doctor for speaking as he did in this documentary. I hope he and his patients are okay now today
He dead
@@tompilkington7379 how many time after the documentary?
@@tompilkington7379 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
He did not blame anyone so should be okay.
@@Kyanzes doesn't matter. If you speak negatively about nk you're gone
How could she have left her son?!?!?!? I cannot imagine leaving my son behind 😢
I believe that some parents leave to find work outside in order to watch over their child by sending them money and food.
Because parents aren’t as loving as you think they are. Due to their selfishness you are here in a sh!tty world.
@@verdiernoyama9681 I always wonder how do they manage to send the money back. They dont have cards, no internet, so how does it even manage to get to the right person. Like ppl outside of the cities don't even know what mail is
@@businessman8090 yeah, I just learned they hire a broker. If you want to know more about this, the media called Liberty in NK made an article and a video about it named "How A NK Defector Sends Money Back Home"
@@businessman8090 Chinese and NK smugglers
The student speaks way more clearly than I do!
Old documentary, but still informative
OMG, I so hope so, I pray to God that we could help to at least find a way to educate the people over there on how to care for their own.
Do you know how old ? I just started it and haven't heard a year yet =(
@The Exiled Princess The documentary mentions the Ryongchon disaster at 11:56, which occurred on April 22, 2004.
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@@angelicamichelle1646 it's not that old
They should take notice of the 20+ high rises built in Pyongyang over the last 10 years, the giant theater, the modern airport no one uses, tons of statues and more. They even broadcast the completion of each building to show off. They finished the outside of the 100+ story Ryugyong Hotel they’ve been constructing for 30 years and is still unoccupied, even finished that will be the same. Plus the propaganda showing off their military when they haven’t been on the defensive since 1953 should be a really obvious red flag the money is there but Kim Jong Un is using it on everything but his people.
What an eye opening video. Thank you
Why do we as a species committ such evil? Why do we put others on a pedestal as kings, queens, or dictators?
Every time I see the sadness in North Korean people's eyes, my heart breaks. I hope a revolution will arise there one day. 😞😖
Same with all the latin america country's.
there is no way revolution will arise there because this wicked dictator knows how to roll the ball , he started brainwashing them since from their mothers womb and to school and to public .. they only run out of NK just to get a bowl of rice then they will see light behind NK .. May Allah Help Us All
If you look closely, there are TINY sparks of a revolution, mainly from the teenage (Younger) gen
@@magicboii01able Latin American? What's so bad about their countries? North Korea is hundreds of times worse than even the poorest part of Latin America.
@@magicboii01able Same with the U.S.
Thank you for bringing this and so much more educational and informative material. I also love docs, so I knew I'd come to the right place. Great job! *****
“With the guidance of the Dear Leader,” this phrase is so sad yet indicative of the dictatorship the people are under each day. Very sad really!
Excellent thank you for broadening my understanding of both cultures North and South Korea!
They look so malnourished
Of course they do. It is a workers paradise.
They may not be malnourished but slim and fit. They need cycle or walk to their work place or daily chores. They may not have any washing machine or cooking range or all those gadgets at home. They do everything by themselves. It is good one way to remain healthy than using all the gadgets for day to day work and spending time jogging or in gym.
Not obese
Ooo
Ooo
I can't imagine how these people will react to the modern world if someday they became free as us..
Their hospital is scary..
This was very informative.
My heart absolutely breaks for the North Korean people. If they only knew what life could really be like if they didn't live there. 🥺😒😔
I agree
Meanwhile they openly admit they want to kill us all because we are treacherous warlike godless criminals and I quote.
Excuse me if I choose a different reaction to worthless crocodile tears. All the Western tears in the world won't do a damn thing.
Why not save your emotion for a group of people whom can actually use it? Your own country has homeless, it has mentally handicapped or prisoners. Charity starts at home! And guess what the majority of the ones here don't actually want to kill both of us and our kids just for being Western.
But is it not just like Heaven?
The few who believe and blindly support the "Dear Loving Master" will be rewarded with the good life as they shamelessly sponge off him
While the vast majority whose "crime" is to not believe will suffer endlessly in hell!
And we think THEY are brainwashed!
North Korea has nuclear missiles but cant deliver paper to schools.
They need that 10 ton Truck! Lol.
Or feed their people. Children are starving all over NK.
They can't ever deliver toilet paper - or sanitary napkins which all the women have to wash and re-use (except the rich, of course).
I’ve watched a lot of videos on the north, and I’ve also watched the tourist videos as well. It was pointed out that many of the people singing and playing instruments aren’t actually singing or playing the instruments. In one of the videos they placed the tourist in seats that gave them a chance to notice that there was a speaker and someone off to the side pushing the play button. It happened almost everywhere they went and heard singing
omg I didnt know abt that, would u mind putting me a link of that video please
Wow it really is so sad
That would explain why no matter the year everything sounds EXACTLY the same. They allow no chance of a mistake or a cry for help. It's not surprising at all.
As a scholar, historian, and former educator, it is important to take a moment and appreciate the outstanding dedication and hard work of the masking-tape cleaners who have created this stunning exhibition. I want to express my heartfelt thanks for their devoted efforts. Your passion and impressive work make this spectacle a perfect example of dedication and balanced artistry. We genuinely appreciate your unwavering commitment, and the joy you bring to the audience is amazing. We recognize the long hours you put in, often without breaks, and the tireless effort you demonstrate every day.
This is the best doc I have seen regarding the DPRK, and I've seen hundreds of them. Bravo
Their hospital makes me so sad and seeing that sick people are unable to get the care they so deserve and makes me appreciate things that so many take for granted .
They have no gloves not as "clean" procedure to cure I'm in shock
Thank you for posting this heartwrenching documentary. I pray that someday - yesterday would not have been soon enough - the politicians and world leaders come to terms with each other and work together for the betterment of all humanity.
That would require more than 1 person to suddenly stop being a sociopath. that's highly unlikely
Nearly 20 years old or not, This was by far the best documentary on NK that I have ever seen.
I loved this doc. 👍
Frequently in this doc, there is conversation of the north and south reuniting... It will never happen as long as there is a head of the government, in the north that needs, or wants to be worshiped!
There are frequent talks because MANY people want that.
@Mihaela Strugaru It is one of the most powerful, sad states, of our beings, in life. It should be that we all love & care for each other.
Most in the South don't want reunification. They know that they would pay the cost for it, and they have less and less personal/cultural connection with their brethren to the north.
Yeonmi Park has made a few videos describing her experiences in North Korea. They describe how difficult it is for the ordinary North Koreans and the ins and outs of living under such a psychopathic dictatorship.
She's very informative. A beautiful young lady lucky to be alive & a very good advocate for her people.
@@karenmessinger9609 yet falling into the trap of Jordan Peterson. She is still falling for authoritarianism.
Yeonmi Park is an excellent advocate for fellow survivors whom have escaped as she did and for the countless family and friends still living in that depraved country. Some of the stories she has shared about her childhood are beyond shocking. I find the videos where she shares info received from trusted friends in NK via secret phones to be the most fascinating. And the punishment the friend would face if discovered with said phone is likely death, yet a serial killer, animal rapist in prison or on death row here in U.S would get a slap on wrist if discovered with a secret phone. Just the initial punishment for anyone in U.S. no matter how vile the crime would probably be a dream life for any average NK citizen.
@@leandradozier968 the trap of JP? It’s a trap because he speaks facts and logic? Jesus.. tell us you’re a libtard without telling us…. 🙄
@@candycanevzh7630 it’s why j can’t help but laugh when any American claims to be oppressed… i think America is so free and spoiled .. they have no idea what a real struggle is. Yes there is homelessness but overall it’s a great country. The “oppressed” should be taken to countries like this so they can realize just how free they are
Thanks!
From the perspective of an entertainment viewer, it is essential to pause and acknowledge the incredible dedication and hard work of the masking-tape cleaners. I would like to extend my deepest appreciation for their devoted efforts. Your passion and impressive work make this exhibition an impressive and unique spectacle. We genuinely appreciate your unwavering dedication, and the joy you bring to the audience is truly legendary. We recognize the long hours you put in, often without breaks, and the tireless commitment you demonstrate daily.
Feel bad for the North Korean student who speaks clear English telling the world "if you come to our country and see our culture and get to know us I believe you will have a better understanding" I agree with her. I'm sure everybody would love to go there. What's stopping that is your strict security on foreigners and the constant propaganda of hating capitalism or western countries. The obsession over communism. I know they haven't let her go abroad because they know she will be exposed to the free world outside of hers and maybe will never come back or spill the beans. She deserves to be able to travel.
so how good is life in north korea?
The North Koreans are about as indoctrinated in their system as it's possible for people to be. There's no way you'd get any truth from N' Koreans- they clap to order and cry to order. Every question asked about N' Korea would be answered in the only way possible, what the state tells them is the reality- not the actual reality. They've gone way beyond the cult of personality, they now deify their leaders as living gods, and gods see and hear everything. A state ran by pure fear.
You literally just said if she was exposed to the free world she would leave or spill the beans right after saying everyone would love to go to there...
@@Cross_network you read my comment incorrectly please try again.
@@AnunnakisVEVO nah I'm pretty sure you said what you said. Maybe you should read it
Should really add the original date of the documentary. They speak of Bush, that's at least 12 years ago and much has happened since...
What if it was the 1st Bush? How many years ago then. kim jung un is the crazy selfish one in power now
i was thinking the same thing, my guess is its from 2001-02, and yes _a lot_ has happened since LoL
Much has changed for us. Not really for them. Their world is the same every day, every year.
But trump was only about 4 years ago, maybe they just spoke of what they remember
@@KC-UT4rmAZ Wrong.
Very well depicted documentary..
This is one of the few doc's i've seen about North Korea where there's less orchestrated conversations. Really interesting!
This is so sad. The North Korean people live in worse denial than the people in Cuba.
it makes me so frustrated ; there are many non profits who WANT to donate medical equipment, medicine, and Medical Professionals to help train and treat. it really makes me upset.
A really interesting and touching documentary film. I am very interested in this Gayageum piece of music you present at the end of the film. It sounds so nice and I would like to know its title.
It is so bizarre listening to these kids speak English. It's not even that I assumed it would be bad, it's just that comparing it to the English education in surrounding countries (ie South Korea and Japan) it's really impressive.
Just remember this: Grammar requires intelligence but accent requires exposure. That's the reason it is hard for an American person to understand people from New Zealand or Ireland even though all. these countries have English as a primary language. Where that kid got that accent is a surprise to me.
Cute American accent there 😅
It’s so interesting hearing the people mostly speak their minds without feeling the need to worship their leader every few seconds like what we see today. I think it’s gotten worse under the most recent leader. Those poor people
I dont know if anyone else noticed but at 20:19 you can see almost every person in the audience when laughing leaning foward and clapping like they were tought how to or something
Lovely documentary
"One of the most serious ways the Koreans feel the sanctions is when it comes to medical care" ...no offense, but that must be only for either high ranking officials or how the NK regime would want to state it. The truth is, MOST people are still suffering from starvation.
They're still living in the 70s days.. Except their leader..
Yes because of the sanctions mostly.
The starvation and cruelty are intentional by the regime to remain in power. What sane populace would tolerate self-anointed gods as their leaders?!
It’s difficult to say any of these things with certainty, but there’s no evidence, either from defectors or foreign sources that the famine of the 90’s is still actually happening
A lot of older russian tourist visited north korea thought they are traveling back to stalin era.
Old Russians living in the same conditions as a Korean peoples.
I would have loved to have seen the USSR... maybe I should go. I just don't want to end up like Otto. I went to Catholic school though, I'm already used to living under totalitarian rule (half-joking).
@@Awakeningspirit20 my friend visited the USSR in 1989.
He was lucky as Communism collapsed there 18 months later.
Coming from Australia stralia he had an open mind, but at the same time he was stunned at the vast differences.
First up, there was practically no choice.
Every day living, that is, buying your lunch was hard. He lined up for close to 2 hours every day to buy a pork roll.
He bought three pork rolls as they were so full of grease, fat and gristle thst in effect, he only had one roll.
He tried eating at an American hotel butvcould only afford dinner there once as iut was incredibly expensive e.g. a steak dinner cost $130 Aussie money OR $US100 !
WHY - Meat had to be flown in from West Germany who in turn procurred meat from the EEC now known as the European Market.
Hot water was non existent.
The milk smelled, cheese stunk and was mainly fat, the coffee was undrinkable as the Russian prople mainly drunk tea.
After touring the then Esstern Bloc including East Germany, Poland and the USSR for six weeks he was glad to get back to West Berlin in West Germany.
He got off the bus. Ran into a Burger King and ordered 2 X large double whopper meals. Lol
He then went to his hotel room. He had a 30 minute long shower as he hadn't felt hot water for six long weeks. !!!
He then slept for 20 hours straight and woke up 7 pm the next evening. He then, you guessed it, ordered another huge meal with meat.
@@FrostedSeagull woah. Then imagine the condition of the people who lived under the regime for decades? Death would have seemed a better option.
@@FrostedSeagull I wish i saw this 2 days ago when i was doing an essay about the USSR and GDR 😫🙁
I was stationed in the Air Force in Korea (at a Korean Air Base) years ago then later returned to work; I saw the tension between north and south firsthand on many levels. Hopefully someday they'll be reunified in one happy and productive country; very unlikely that'll happen in the near future, though.
tha day our country takes out its hands from there...yes
@@juliaarojas8701 a truly asinine comment. Have you no awareness of history?
If you are Pro USA you would never want that ideology with how NK currently is
@@juliaarojas8701 if the US didn’t touch Korea then it would be entirely led by the north. SK couldn’t fight off NK’s invasion when it was so poor and NK had support that it wouldn’t have had without western intervention
@@2oqh If the US didn't touch Korea then it never would have been divided in the first place.
25 year old documentary but very enlightening.
with all due respect to Koreans from north and south. I see this situation in north which reminds me of all the efforts a dictator has done to the iranian during last 30 years to make iran becomes exactly like N Korea.He has been unsuccessful just because people have been fighting against him and his terror regime .The terrible price is nerely one milion dead and dissapeared men,women and children. has it been worth it?I would like to answer : By God ,Yes it has!
Who are you talking about? Ahmedinajad hasn't been in charge since 2013.
Their English is very good. It would be great to open up the county more.
0:48 (singing in foreign language)
Thank you caption writer, I feel so cultured. 🤩
I feel awful for these people God please help them
I feel so sorry for them, too. They deserve better. They need to be free, from these creeps.
Omg, I am absolutely fascinated by NK. It just seems so strange and different but yet the people seem so lovely.
Neighbors steal feces out of their neighbors out houses it's worth money...fertilizer,,,,they night make some money to afford some rice. Kim Jong is just like HITLER !
@@peacefulwife5199 oh yes, he is! How sad for the people.
Me too.
@@peacefulwife5199 USA is Hitler!
@@keithdonnellan5564 of biden stays on power it will reach that point for sure!!!
The age of this documentary is signified by the statements made about the Kaesŏng Industrial Zone ( or the KIZ ), which from the conversations with the businessmen, appeared to be in the beginning stages.
This would date the film approximately 2003. In 2012 the DPRK unilaterally demanded "Wage Increases" and "Tax Increases" from the corporations in the KIZ, and then in 2013 the DPRK withdrew all 50,000 workers from the KIZ. In 2016 the South Korean government ( as a result of these demands, and due to changes in administrations and policies ) closed the KIZ. All the corporations involved took substantial losses.
Intelligence sources in the USA, and mirrored in Japan, and South Korea, determined that more than 70 percent of the US Dollars paid as wages, taxes, and fees for the workers in the KIZ to the DPRK, had been diverted for weapons programs and luxury goods for the Kim regime and the Military Elite. The workers received very little to none of the wages paid.
It is because of this, and many other reasons, that there is a large Conservative Political Faction in South Korea that does not believe in unification, or desires it.
Very informative comment, thank you!
In depth short comment. Thnx
11:56 I think this occurred in 2004 iirc.
You're right. You know a lot more specifics about North Korean sites and affairs, but to me the screamingly-obvious points are that they mention the Axis of Evil, which was presented in the 2002 State of the Union, so post-2002, but also that the Iraq War has already begun, so during 2003 or later. Given the quality of the doc, it can't be after 2006. I think 2003 is a good guess. They even say 2003 is when the US allegedly expected North Korea to 'collapse,' implying that 2003 has already happened or is happening.
28:46 very bright and insightful kid ❤
The way they must mourn .. "if you dont mourn hard enough,you die"
It’s sad that they’re isolated from the rest of the world and hoping that someday they will be able to enjoy peace. My heart goes out to those people who have to do without 😢😢
🤣😂🤣😂
@@trentcruise3084 Why are you laughing?
Old documentary but provides good backdrop to current events
It's free to view so we really shouldn't complain
how old is this doc? its got a real 90's early 00'a vibe to it
2003 probably
i think it is both heart breaking and enlightening when she said “we will always be two people” which is true, however, the north korean woman also said “if you come here to meet us, we are friendly people.” i hope korea can become one again.
И люди Северной Кореи наконец могут поселиться в трущёбах Сеула и узнать нищету и алкоголизм.
Let's take a moment to appreciate how well these children speak English. 27:55 If they don't have exposure to western media, how did their accents turn out so well? The second boy from the left has an American accent like from the 1950's, which makes sense I suppose considering history. My heart breaks for the people of North Korea. The world needs to find a way to liberate the north and reunite it with South Korea.
A ndrew,
I vehemently agree.
Unfortunately, even though the North Korean tyrant is an embarassment to China, the CCP ruling elite. want North Korea as a physical, geograohical buffer against the USA.
Don't forget that Japan is also economically and now militarily strong.
South Korea is equally economically strong and militarily stronger, including nuclear missiles and artillery.
This is too much for the Chinese.
The North Korean people are used as pawns.
People say they are Communists but the Kim regimes are closer to Nazi Germany. T hese poor brain washed people are political, socio-economic slaves.
Even the then Soviet Politburo members and Generals were stunned at the one man worship of those truly evil Kim's.
Because they're just being parrots of old recordings. As you can see, what they do is not transform their thoughts into words aloud, improvising a conversation and creating words on their own. They memorized and rehearsed those words, that are recorded somewhere, and they repeat them. It's actually creepy to see them do so well something so useless. It means they have dedicated hours and hours on end to something useless for them as individuals, but useful for that State to put on the show their ruling class needs. Revolting.
I saw another documentary on North Korea where they mentioned how they learn English pronunciation. Basically, they have recordings of Americans saying random phrases (the one shown in the video was "I like riding my bike. I rode my bike yesterday") and the children repeat the phrase. Then, the teacher will make comments on how they could pronounce it better. Then, the recording will play again and this whole process will repeat for however long the teacher feels necessary..
@@fakeaccount1720 That's so sad. So they aren't even taught what the words/phrases even mean? Their pronunciation is really good, but that's basically useless if you don't understand what it means. My heart absolutely breaks for the North Koreans. I shouldn't watch so much about them because I feel so terribly for them and there isn't really anything I can do personally. It's literally painful to watch. There are numerous studies that show how the same brain areas associated with physical pain are activated during emotional distress, and I can feel it when I see these videos.
@@andrewvernon4664 I have no reason to think they do not know what the phrases mean and I have seen some footage (like the girl shown here) where North Koreans spontaneously come up with English phrases. I just know this is how they practice pronunciation.
What's surprising about this documentary is that compared to more present day material normal people can actually be interviewed and talk about their perspectives, not just reiterate party dogma. Wonder if anyone who speaks Korean can confirm that the subtitles are good?
Speak their mind freely! You have been duped by their propaganda machine!
checkout "My Brothers and Sisters in the North" documentary on TH-cam, and you can also checkout Felix Abt's "A Capitalist in North Korea" - most of the Western media coverage is exaggerated. It's poor, and there are horrible things that go on there, but in reality, it's still better off than a ton of the poor world. When you start reading/watching those things, you start seeing that actually NK public opinion is also more nuanced. Everyone is not dying to leave or whatever.
They are North Korean refugees speaking from the comfort of South Korea. The one N.Koren girl was very careful with her words and I'm sure her words were carefully vetted.
I heard north korean n south Korean languages had such different dialects, it's often hard for south koreans to understand north koreans. Idk how accurate this is.
That’s a facade
the NK young lady said people don't understand us, understanding comes from seeing and experiencing. she got it right. but i think it should in both ways. she also has to come out of her shell to see others perspective and to expand her relationship with other nations or at least the closest one, SK
As heartbreaking as it is, I doubt they know any different, being born into this life and not knowing any other life. It’s a shame king fatty one can’t be taken out, surly we have real life James Bonds out there!
After I have watched this. Bloody barbaric and a shame this country is in need of so much medical care. He is not a good ruler. He is selfish and stuck up his own rear end. Let’s hope his maker when he passes on punishes him
27:55 ......By god.... The accent!! They sound even more American than the American in nowaday
They sound like they're learning from English, not American, accents to me.
They are so Cute!! They sound convincingly American, like old television programs ☺ This is the second doc I've watched where the poor young there are very skilled with conversating in English. These kids are very young & already understand & speak it. Like my friend Rose from China, who was here studying before the pandemic, extraordinarily intelligent!! They use more vast vocabulary & articulate different wording than the everyday Americans I know. Who are used to mainly using the same pattern words, thinking, terms, etc.... I appreciate the effort so much & have tremendous respect!!!! I would love to see such potential as a people, to choose good over evil & let their capabilities lead them to a peaceful & prosperous nation and one that will most surly contribute vast progress for this world!!!! Their problem is politics, death to politics & the evils of power/ mind wash.
I have seen many documentaries on NK , in all one thing is same they all looks malnutrition, i think they eat only 1 time in a day.
I saw a refugee talk about daily life for middle class in NK and she said they had 2-3 meals. children and adults eat break fast after morning work which depends on the season then going to school/work. Schools don't have cafeterias so they either get something from home or starve. In the afternoon they eat dinner which is earlier in winter because they don't have electricity 24/7 and candles are too expensive. In winter they also have to share their food with pets (she was talking about her rabbits) because they don't sell food for them and they have to pick the plants themselves.
@@ace_bean7011 honestly wish i could send the loads of chocolates,cookies ,ice cream hamburgers and orange juice
Huh? Over 800,000,000 won't eat today. It happened in India, Russia, South Africa, Belgium, America and many, many, more nations.
@@TH-camSpareTime Not so much America. The poorest Americans tend to be the most obese. They have plenty to eat, its just junk. A nutritious diet costs more.
@@MakerInMotion I think he's referring to the economic downturn prior to WW2
There is a novel, The Orphan Master’s Son, about NK. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 2013. It is brutal but very touching. Highly recommend.
That's a fiction book.
there's no way those kids are going on a picnic in Italy, even if they are excited about waking up early.
Show's like this should be played for elementary school kids across the nation.
For high school kids. They will actually understand it.
i agree with kay Aime and sanctions should not be placed upon medical equipment
Sanctions hit everything. If health care or food or whatever are not prioritized by the regime, then that is the fault of the Kim regime, not the fault of the West, not the USA, not South Korea. Maybe Kim-jung il, or kim jung un should have diverted spending from Cognac and other personal luxuries to the health and nutrition needs of the people.
@@sb-tb1oh No. The DPRK government consider food as a human right, and during the famine, they asked for food aid, join the IMF, or the international market to have necessary goods for the people, but the West said no because of the sanctions, they only accepted food assistance that was a relief for the people, but not enough to fix the situation. Conditions of life are a priority for DPRK government. It's a fact that sanctions have a bad impact on the situation of the people who live in misery, Healthcare and food, and prevent NGOs to give the aid in time. The UN acknowledged that, so yes, they are responsible, period. They should recognize NK nuclear weapon instead of wishing for a denuclearisation that will never happen.
So yeah, blame the sanctions and every countries that support it. The story of Kim jung il with cognac is just a rumor, nothing more. In a case or another, it's a fact that sanctions are the main problem in this case.
I wonder what has become of these people, especially the students who speak so well. They have so much potential. I hope they were able to go abroad to live there
The older people are dead, for sure. Even if they somehow didn't get in trouble for speaking out in this film, they either got in trouble some other way and were murdered or they died of preventable disease.
I would love to see the women keeping their traditional folk songs sing live! How inspiring!
Look at the interview of the woman who escaped from North Korea on Joe Rogan's show. It is horrific. People starve. People freeze to death because there is no electricity. There are dead bodies lining the streets and floating in the river. Death is all around and just a "normal " part of daily life.
This documentary doesn't tell of how horrific the circumstances are. The people are suffering.
Keywords - "woman who escaped from North Korea"
Cmon, you can't be THAT gullible)) People are saying things that the westerners want to hear, nothing more nothing less.
@@Jenseduca you can't be dumb enough to think North Korea isn't suffering 💀
@@Candies69
Some N.Koreans do, some do not just like everywhere else
Ms Park is a proven sammer
31:48 Do you know how privileged you must be as a teenager in the DPRK to have braces? Most kids with crooked legs wouldn't get braces for those, much less their teeth. I would love to know what this kid's dad does for the party
Or mother bet they sold there soles for her education and healthcare
Thank you ! Haven’t seen any other comments saying this I was shocked when I saw them on her had to pause it and look harder
Isn’t that an orphanage?
The first time I heard a North Korean talk he told his audience his Government told his people life in America was awful. They were told of the widespread use of drugs and of the homelessness and depravity suffered by many. I saw that TV news report 40 years ago and have never doubted North Korea since.
This wasn't true in America 40 years ago, but it's becoming more and more true today.
Obviously, North Korea is much worse, but homeless, drug abuse, and depravity are at very high levels in the US.
Any idea when this doc was made?
36:46 There certainly were echoes of East/West Germany in this. Once the partying was over and the euphoria calmed down, the hard work began.
18:09 luckily she became a doctor in South Korea-she studied all again in S.korea- and his son could escape from N.k and lives with her.
Proof?
Every time you see the military hierarchy with so many medals pinned to their chests that they have trouble standing up straight you have to wonder what did, in such an isolated country to win all those medals?
Speaking of the north... In my heart it angers me that such a beautiful culture has been brain washed, and ruined by one family that thinks they are above all. World wide above.. How awful would it be to ones self and all others around you to have a disproportional ego that huge?!
The people of the United States are equally brainwashed, it’s just a different format of brainwashing that plagues our country.
@@mattmolloy636 if you see trump and Biden supporters they arent really different from the north korean people with the support they give to their leader.
@@mattmolloy636 Nope, people in america are clearly brainwashed you can tell by trumpies, pledge of alliance bs, american flag in practically every room but it doesn’t compare to this honestly. people in nk are so incredibly sheltered they don’t know what’s going on in the rest of the world.
if donald trump was a country this would be it
@@cucumber623 I guess everybody has an opinion.
Dang, that's pretty catchy music!
Would absolutely love to know how to be able to hear that tune in full length 🤘
Its like QM and gravity. Unification is so difficult.
Makes me wonder if some of these people who “escaped” were not sent to other countries to learn new skills or steal information or technology or other secrets to bring back to North Korea… they still have her kid, her family…. I imagine they would send only their most loyal but also warned their family would be killed if they fail their mission and don’t return.
This documentary is at least 20 years old. NK is even more isolated than ever
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