Kathrine Frich
Here are the 10 strangest things North Koreans are told about him and his ruling family.
Here are the 10 strangest things North Koreans are told about him and his ruling family.
The Supreme Leader as Mythical Creature
He rules one of the world’s most isolated and secretive nations, rarely speaks in public outside of scripted appearances, and tightly controls how he’s seen at home and abroad.
Kim Jong-un, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, has continued the bizarre personality cult built by his father and grandfather. complete with outlandish myths that defy logic but are treated as fact by his citizens.
He Invented the Hamburger
North Koreans are taught that Kim Jong-un’s father, Kim Jong-il, invented the hamburger.
He called it “double bread with meat” and hoped to popularize it in universities across the country.
Unsurprisingly, his plan to make it a national dish never took off.
Sawdust Is Nutritious
During periods of famine, Kim Jong-il reportedly encouraged citizens to eat sawdust, claiming it was rich in nutrients.
In a country often battling food shortages, this absurd suggestion was presented as a practical solution.
He Doesn’t Use the Bathroom
According to his official biography, Kim Jong-il, and by extension, the ruling family, is so perfectly engineered that he doesn’t need to urinate or defecate.
His body allegedly operates so efficiently that waste is simply… not a thing.
Born Under a Supernatural Sky
North Korean history books claim Kim Jong-il was born on a sacred mountain, accompanied by the sudden appearance of a new star and a spontaneous change from winter to spring.
Soviet records tell a less glamorous story: he was actually born in a small Siberian village.
A Global Fashion Icon
State-run media once announced that Kim Jong-il’s simple grey military outfit was inspiring fashion designers worldwide.
An unnamed French designer was quoted praising the style as “unprecedented in world history.” No actual evidence of this trend exists.
Everyone Celebrates Their Birthdays
Despite being internationally isolated and widely condemned, North Korea tells its citizens that their leaders are loved globally.
According to state propaganda, other countries celebrate Kim Jong-un’s and his ancestors’ birthdays with parades and holidays.
Japan “Stole” Their Time
North Koreans were long told that Japan took something more than land during its 20th-century occupation, it stole time.
In 2015, Kim Jong-un “restored” national dignity by setting the country’s clocks back by 30 minutes, creating a new national time zone: Pyongyang Time.
He Drove at Age Three
North Korean media claim that Kim Jong-un was a prodigy.
He supposedly learned to drive a car at just three years old and was already a master sailor, composer, and artist by his early teens.
These stories are repeated in school curriculums and state broadcasts.
The Internet Doesn’t Exist
Most North Koreans have never heard of the internet. let alone used it.
Government officials have limited access to a closed internal network, but the general population is told that the internet is a Western invention and irrelevant to their lives.
A Fake Village Full of Happy Citizens
On the border with South Korea stands a picturesque settlement known as Peace Village. North Korea claims 200 families live and work there happily.
In reality, it’s a ghost town staffed by soldiers. Observers say it was built purely for propaganda. and to house artillery aimed south.