Economic Comparison: North VS South Korea

Since the establishment of DPRK, North Korea in 1948, the regime has obsessed in economic competition with South Korea, until its failure after 2 decades.

Nowadays the ratio of Gross Domestic Product (GDP, a monetary measure of the market value of all final goods and services produced in a period of time within a country) between North and South Korea is around 1 : 20.

At the time when East and West Germany was unified, the economic ratio was merely 1 : 8, which raises the question for a proper solution to shrink the gap before the ultimate unification of Korea.

University Student's Group for Unification (통일대학생동아리연합), a united group of 9 school clubs representing 9 universities in South Korea

Some South Korean college students and some college students who were former North Korean refugees organized a united group of 9 school clubs representing 9 universities in South Korea.

The official name of the group is "University Student's Group for Unification (통일대학생동아리연합)".

Even though their majors at universities are different and they are attending different universities, there is one common thing between them. They get together to be friends to each other and discuss the ways toward the harmonious unification of Korea.

The list of members of "University Student's Group for Unification".

The Catholic University of Korea (가톨릭대학교),
Korea University (고려대학교),
Dongguk University (동국대학교),
Sogang University (서강대학교),
Sookmyung Women's University (숙명여자대학교),
Yonsei University (연세대학교),
Chungang University (중앙대학교),
Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (한국외국어대학교),
Hanyang University (한양대학교)

https://www.facebook.com/Tongdaedongyeon/

They participate in volunteer service at the Seoul National Cemetery. They meet regularly four times a year and enjoy sports games together such as skiing.

I think this is a good sample of the harmonious unification of Korea. Such group activities of college students will have a great influence on spreading the idea of Korea's harmonious unification.

http://www.rfa.org/korean/weekly_program/defectors_life/defectorsklife-09292017103253.html

"University Student's Group for Unification" participated in a Forum hosted by "the Institute for Peace Affairs" to discuss the unification of Korean Peninsula.  

South Korean college students and college students who were former North Korean refugees held a meeting whose topic is "Let us talk about the unification of Korea".

"University Student's Group for Unification" hosted indoor sports games for members to be more intimate with each other.

"University Student's Group for Unification" received an award from Korea National Cemetery because of its dedicated volunteer service for the cemetery.

Members of "University Student's Group for Unification" took pictures in front of Korea National Cemetery. The cemetery was established for veterans who died in Korean independence Movement under the Japanese Colonial Rule, Korean War, and Vietnam War.

Sources of Pictures: Jae Duk Seo, Vice-President of "University Student's Group for Unification"

Animation GIF image: Susie Han (Susie Maria Han), Woodbridge High School, Irvine, California

Bribery culture in North Korea ruins North Korean economy.

Bribery culture in North Korea ruins North Korean economy.

While black markets in North Korea become popular,  bribery culture is rising throughout North Korea. North Koreans must submit bribery to North Korean regime to do business in the black market. Bribery culture in North Korea will not easily disappear even after the unification of Korea.

http://www.rfa.org/korean/weekly_program/bd81d55c-c774ac8c-bb38c81cc9c0c694/fe-cp-10312017094247.html

추운 겨울에 북한에서 따뜻한 내복이 필요 (Winter underwears in North Korea for the cold winter)

한국에 살 때 겨울 마다 집에서 내복을 입었다. 학교에 갈 때도 얇은 내복을 입었었다.  내복이 얇지만 정말 따뜻했던 기억이 난다. 너무 추운 날씨에는 내복도 입고, 이블도 두 겹으로 해서 잠을 잤었다. 서울의 겨울도 이 정도로 추운데, 북한의 추위는 상상 이상이 아닐까?

북한에도 당연히 내복이 있을 것이다.  북한은 북쪽에 있으니 당연히 북한은 겨울에 몹시 춥다. 추운 겨울을 이겨내려면 북한 주민은 따뜻한 내복이 필요할 것이다.

북한에서는 내복을 충분히 생산하고 있을까?
북한의 내복은 품질이 좋을까?

북한 어린이들이 입을 내복이 부족하다고 들었다. 통일이 되면 남한에서 생산한 따뜻한 내복이 잘 팔릴 것 같다.

그러나 만약 통일 이후에 북한 주민의 복지향상을 위해서 꽁짜로 내복을 지급한다면, 내복 생산업체는 돈을 많이 벌 수 있지만, 내복 장사는 망하지 않을까?

한반도 통일 이후에 무상으로 지급될 상품을 판매하면 안될 것 같다.
무상으로 지급될 가능성이 높은 상품은 무엇이 있을까?

한반도 통일 이후에 빛을 볼 유망한 대학 전공은 무엇이 있을까? (Promising college majors after the unification of Korea)

한국 통일 이후 괜찮은 대학 전공

한국은 언제 통일이 될까?
알 수 없다.
누가 알까? 다음 달에 갑자기 통일이 될지......

한반도 통일 이후에 빛을 볼 유망한 대학 전공은 무엇이 있을까?

• 자원개발학과: 북한에는 천연자원 (Natural resources)이 많다. 자원을 개발하는 인력이 많이 필요하지 않을까?
• 산림학과: 북한 사람들이 땔감으로 산의 나무를 많이 베어서 산에 나무가 많이 없다. 통일이 되면 산에 나무를 많이 심어야 하지 않을까?
• 교육학과: 북한과 남한은 교육 (Education) 수준의 차이가 많다. 선생님이 아주 많이 필요하지 않을까? 남한과 북한의 용어가 많이 다르다. 북한에는 Native 영어 선생님이 거의 없다. 북한의 영어 교육은 아주 부실하지 않을까? 국어교육학과와 영어교육학과가 인기가 많을 것 같다.
• 건축학과와 토목공학과: 북한의 건물은 너무 낙후되어 있다. 도로, 철로, 다리도 대부분 엉망이다.  
• 신학과: 종교의 자유 (Freedom of religion)로 목사님이 많이 필요하지 않을까?

또 어떤 전공이 좋을까?

한국 통일 이후의 영어 교육 사업 (Business for English education after the unification of Korea)

남한은 입시 때문에 영어, 수학 학원이 아주 번창해 있다.

나도 한국에서 중학교를 다닐 때 동네에 있는 수학 학원을 2개월 정도 다녔던 기억이 있다. 문제 예제만 한 두개 풀어주고, 각자 알아서 문제를 풀도록 했다. 그러면 차라리 집에서 혼자 풀어도 되지 않을까? 그래서 2개월 정도 다닌 후 수학 학원을 더 이상 다니지는 않았다.

한국이 통일된 이후에 교육 사업 (Education Business)는 어떻게 될까?

영어는 세계와 대화를 하기 위해서는 꼭 필요한 엉어이다. 과거에는 러시아어도 한 몫을 했지만 지금의 러시아는 과거의 러시아 처럼 강하지 못하다.

북한도 이제는 영어를 잘 해야만 세계와 소통할 수 있게 되었다. 중국인들도 영어 열풍이 대단하다고 들었다.

지금 북한에는 영어 선생 (English Teacher)를 구하지 못해서 난리가 났다. UN과 미국의 경제 제재로 북한에 있던 영국에서 파견한 영어 선생님들이 모두 떠났다. 영국은 유일하게 북한에 영어 선생님을 보냈던 국가인데, 이제 더 이상 보내지 않는다. 북한에서 영어 선생님을 찾기는 이제 하늘의 별따기가 되었다.

한국 통일 이후에 영어 선생님이 많이 필요하지 않을까?

대학에서 영어 교육학 (English Education)을 전공하면 통일 이후에 북한의 학교에서 선생님을 할 수도 있고, 학원 선생님과 같은 직업을 쉽게 찾을 수 있지 않을까?

더구나 미국에서 영어를 배웠다면 더욱 인기 있고 귀한 영어 선생님으로 인정받지 않을까?

Kim Jong Un ordered to return to all the workers in restaurants run by North Korean regime as well as labors hired by Chinese companies.

Kim Jong Un ordered to return to all the workers in restaurants run by North Korean regime as well as labors hired by Chinese companies.

Because of sanction from the UN and the USA, all the labors and workers are not allowed to work in China. Kim Jong Un has lost some important sources to earn foreign currency from China.

Kim Jong Un must choose one between nuclear weapons and economic exchange with the outside world.  Which one is better for Kim Jong Un?

http://news.tvchosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2017/10/29/2017102990081.html

It is difficult to get eye-glasses in North Korea.

It is difficult to get eye-glasses in North Korea. In North Korea only high-rank officials and scholars can wear eye-glasses.

North Korea produces eye-glasses made of glasses. You can hardly find eye-glasses made of plastic in North Korea.

Eye-glasses is not enough and its quality is not good for eyes. The old need eye-glasses that have magnifying functions, but it is not easy to get reading glasses in North Korea.

http://news.joins.com/article/4111227

70 percent of North Korean bicycle is produced by the joint venture between Chinese and North Korean company.

70 percent of North Korean bicycle is produced by the joint ventures between Chinese and North Korean company.

Is good the quality of bicycles produced in North Korea?
Bicycles are so popular in North Korea.

Why?

I think they are short of oil.

http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2015/08/20/0200000000AKR20150820022300014.HTML

How to help rescue North Korea refugees and how to help North Korean defectors' resettlement in the USA

How to help rescue North Korea refugees.
How to help North Korean defectors' resettlement in the USA.



AmazonSmile

Every time you purchase at AmazonSmile, you can help North Korean refugees.



How?
It is very simple.



Have you heard of AmazonSmile?

smile.amazon.com



Firstly, search "North Korean Refugees in the United States" at amazon smile.
Pick your own charitable organizations: "North Korean refugees in the United States"
And Search




Select "North Korean Refugees in the United States"




Then, your donations will be automatically submitted to help North Korean refugees every time you shop at AmazonSmile.




Isn't it simple?

NKinUSA (North Korean refugees in the United States) in a non-profit organization, based in Washington, DC, which aims to help North Korean refugees escape safely from North Korea through China, assist with the resettlement of refugees currently living in the United States, and spread awareness about the persecution and severe human rights crisis of the North Korean people.

T-Shirts

25 Dollar shirt will make a miracle to rescue North Korean refugees.

If you buy a 25 dollar T-shirt, then all funds raised will go directly to save North Korean refugees in the United States of America.

You can buy the shirt at the following website.
The size of T-Shirts are Small, Medium, Large, and X Large.

www.nkinusa.org



Paypal or Check

NKinUSA (North Korean Refugees in the United States) hosts musical concerts in the Spring every year to raise funds for North Korean refugees. The music concert is called "Hope of Spring". Through the musical concerts, NKinUSA is raising a fund to rescue North Korean refugees safely from North Korea.

NKinUSA was founded by former North Korean defectors so that they know what kinds of pains and persecution North Koreans have been going through and what North Korean refugees and defectors really need.

NKinUSA is organizing many kinds of fundraising events. Even if you are unable to attend such various kinds of fundraising events, you can help North Korean refugees.



If you want to support North Korean refugees and defectors in the United States, then you can send money directly to NKinUSA by "Paypal" or checks to NKinUSA.

NKinUSA
2020 Pennsylvania Ave NW #168
Washington DC, 20006

info@nkinusa.org
202-670-6587

www.nkinusa.org/how-you-can-help/fundraising/

North Korean domestic produces is occupying 50% of the market in North Korea.

North Korean domestic produces is occupying 50% of the market in North Korea.
Because of the sanctions from the United States and the UN, North Korean products lost its overseas markets.

Some of these products are produced by Kim Jong Un's enterprises to generate more income for his regime. Private companies in North Korea have started to lower their prices to compete with Kim Jong Un's enterprises.

http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?num=14751&cataId=nk01500

40.5 percent of North Koreans still use traditional toilets

40.5 percent of North Koreans still use traditional toilets (squat toilets) by digging a hole in the ground.

30 percent of residents in Pyongyang use traditional toilets. The sanitation of toilets is below average.
Some people cannot use western toilets because the pressure of water is too low. Those who are living in the higher level of apartments use plastic bags to discard excrement.

What they need?

• High pressure of water
• Western toilets

Top class hotels in North Korea issue hand-written receipts to guests

Top class hotels in North Korea issue hand-written receipts to guests when they leave hotels.

Facilities of the top class hotels in North Korea might meet the international standard, but when you look into the hotels in detail, they are still far behind the international standard.

http://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0002218843

Amusement parks in Pyongyang need repairing and their facilities are too rusty.

Amusement parks in Pyongyang need repairing and their facilities are too rusty. The facilities in the amusement parks need repairing. Staffs were checking the facilities with hammers.

The restrooms in the amusements park are so dirty.

I hope Disneyland will open its new amusement park in North Korea after the unification of Korea as a symbol of peace and harmony.

http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/10/30/2011103000726.html

The price to get access to the internet at hotels in Pyongyang, North Korea is USD 5 per 30 minutes.

Internet access in North Korea is allowed only to foreign travelers and high-rank officials.

How much do foreign travelers have to pay to get access to internet?
The price to get access to the internet at hotels in Pyongyang, North Korea is USD 5 per 30 minutes.

The price decreased since 2012. The number of hotels who allow internet access is increasing in North Korea.

After the unification of Korea, ordinary North Koreans will be surprised when they realize that they can get any information from Google.

https://www.voakorea.com/a/2414861.html

What are the top 10 exports from North Korea?

What are the top 10 exports from North Korea?

1. Mineral fuels including oil
2. Clothing, accessories
3. Ores, Slag, Ash
4. Fish
5. Knit or Crochet clothing
6. Electrical machinery
7. Iron, Steel
8. Fruits
9. Machinery including computers
10. Zinc

http://www.worldstopexports.com/north-koreas-top-10-exports/

The most popular stationary is "Suji Pencil", so to speak, lead pencil.

The most popular stationary is "Suji Pencil". South Koreans call "Suji Pencil" as "lead pencil" or "Sharp mechanical pencil".

It is a pencil with a replaceable and mechanically extended solid lead. The sound of "Suji" is very similar to my name, Susie. 😊

The name of "Suji pencil" is not familiar to me. South Korean young students do not understand what "Suji pencils" are either. South Korean students and North Korean students use the same languages, but it will not be easy to communicate with each other.

I prefer sharp mechanical pencil to ordinary pencil. I do not know the quality of sharp mechanical pencil made in North Korea.

http://nk.joins.com/news/view.asp?aid=17246244

North Korea is exporting fake watches and labors to Middle-east countries.

North Korea is exporting fake watches and labors to Middle-east countries.

North Korea is diversifying markets from Asian to Middle-east countries to earn foreign money. Who buys such face watches? Somebody who looks rich by wearing such fake watches.
I think fake watches might be popular to people in the Middle East who want to pretend to be rich.

I do not know the fake watches are good in quality.

http://www.huffingtonpost.kr/2017/03/27/story_n_15632592.html

North Korea produced 100,000 laptops a year.

North Korea produced 100,000 laptops a year.
North Korea imports parts from overseas to make laptops. The laptop in the picture below does not look good in quality even though I have not yet tried it.

North Korea makes nuclear weapons, but they cannot make necessary parts by themselves.

http://www.rfa.org/korean/in_focus/food_international_org/computer-04222016153401.html

Solar energy is popular in North Korea because North Korea is short of electricity.

Solar energy is popular in North Korea because North Korea is short of electricity.
North Korean use solar energy to protect the environments?

No.

They are short of electricity.
North Korean regime cannot produce sufficient electricity.

100,000 houses use solar energy.
North Korean people do not rely on their regime to get foods and electricity.

https://www.voakorea.com/a/3342605.html

North Korea imports a lot of used cars about to be discarded.

North Korea imports a lot of used cars about to be discarded.

Why do they import such useless cars?

They disassemble the used cars and collect parts to fix the other used cars in North Korea. Isn't it dangerous to use parts from used cars?

After the unification of Korea automobile industry will grow very fast because North Koreans will buy new cars.

http://www.rfa.org/korean/in_focus/ne-ch-08112017085043.html

Railroads and trains are too old to use in North Korea.

Railroads and trains are too old to use in North Korea.

Facility conditions of trains are so serious in North Korea. Windows in the trains were stolen or broken. Seats in the trains were burned out for passengers to warm them.

After the unification of Korea trucks are faster than railroads to provide foods and essential supplies to North Koreans because railroads need repairing.

http://www.asiapress.org/korean/nk-economys/market-economy-03/

There are 10 major lines in North Korea.

Hambuk Line
Kangwon Line
Manpo Line
Paektusan Chongnyon Line
Pyongbu Line
Pyongdok Line
Pyongnam Line
Pyonggra Line
Pyongui Line

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_North_Korea

http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/north-korea-train-tour/index.html

Do North Koreans enjoy coffee?

Do North Koreans enjoy coffee?

The middle class in North Korea enjoy coffee. The demand for coffee is increasing in North Korea so that North Korea is importing ready-made coffee from China.

Coffee shops are also increasing in Pyongyang City. The price of coffee at a coffee shop is 3 to 4 dollars in North Korea.

Starbucks is a popular coffee brand in South Korea. South Korea ranks World No. 4 for most Starbucks stores per person.

What will happen when North Koreans taste Starbucks?

http://www.rfa.org/korean/weekly_program/c27dac8c-d480c5b4bcf4b294-bd81d55c-bb3cac00/priceindex-08112017130838.html

British council stopped educating English to teachers in high school and universities.

British council stopped educating English to teachers in high school and universities.
British council had taught English to about 4000 North Korean teachers since 2000.

North Korea will be short of native English teacher.

https://www.voakorea.com/a/4017764.html

Successful business in North Korea in spite of sanctions from the US and the UN.

How is it possible for North Korea's economy to grow in spite of United Nations sanctions on North Korean exports of iron, coal, lead, seafood, textile, labor, and North Korean import of oil.

North Korea has developed into a country where everyone is essentially out to make money to survive. Nearly every organization in North Korea - whether government or private - is a revenue-generator to survive.

The central state firms of North Korea has developed sophisticated methods of evading sanctions, including networks of ever-changing front companies with fake registration, multiple bank accounts, and vague or misleading documentation. North Korea's diplomatic outposts around the world have become the locations for front companies and brokers.

Ordinary North Koreans have built up small private, unregistered business, buying and selling wares in private marketplace and engaging in their own foreign trade.

Because North Korea ban private enterprise, private companies, original owners are hired as managers by the cooperative state official and they gain political protection for a fee and a cut-off the profits.

North Koreans have built strong smuggling networks, with the consent of North Korean and Chinse government officials. North Koreans have developed a range of means of importing and exporting goods across the China-North Korea border. Boats cross the Yalu and Tumen rivers in the summer and trucks drive across the ice in the winter, as paid-off border guards look the other way. At sea, Chinese smugglers meet their North Korean partners in international waters to exchange goods.

The smuggling networks between North Korea and China became efficient because North Korea is such an economic basket case. Many traders prefer smuggling because it allows them to minimize the impact of North Korea's political instability.

http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/10/10/how-to-succeed-in-business-in-north-korea/

North Korean restrooms in the suburban areas are so dirty.

North Korean restrooms in the suburban areas are so dirty.

The restrooms in hotels are good enough to use for foreign travelers, but the restrooms in the local areas are too dirty to use.
The smell of the toilettes is unbearable for foreign travelers.
The sanitation of the restrooms should be improved.

What they need to improve the sanitation of restrooms in North Korea?

The answer is western pottery.

http://www.rfa.org/korean/in_focus/food_international_org/restroom-07072014162018.html