The real North Korea. The secret life of ordinary people

South Korea is a beautiful country with the richest cultural heritage. Today, the centuries-old wisdom of Taoism coexists with innovation. And, despite their love for the Western way of life, its inhabitants have retained many customs that are incomprehensible to us.

10 facts about South Korea: interesting and downright strange

She was once named one of the most promising in the field of innovation by a Boston consulting group. Agree, not bad for a state that has been on the world stage since 1948. It is curious that with such results the country does not lose its “interesting” traditions.

Alcohol. Interesting fact about South Korea associated with drinking alcohol - for them this is a fairly important part of culture, helping to get to know each other better. Therefore, at least once a week, residents of the country always get together with friends to have a glass. Such gatherings even have their own name - hoesik. However, when it comes to alcoholic beverages, there are rules. For example, if the person pouring the drink is older, then you should hold the glass with both hands.
Red ink. Each society has its own superstitions: if Europeans bypass black cats, then residents of the Land of Morning Freshness hate red ink. They believe that a name written in this color will bring misfortune and even death to its owner. This unusual fact about South Korea is associated with ancient tradition. Previously, the name of the deceased was written in red on the tombstone, believing that this would scare away demons.
Proper handshake. When Bill Gates met with President Park Geun-hye, the country's residents were shocked by the American's behavior and gesture. The fact is that during the handshake, Bill's hand was in his pocket, which is unacceptable. Good manners and respect for the traditions of another country, despite their financial status, have always been held in high esteem. Therefore, if you encounter a Korean older than you, do it with both hands.
Education. Students and schoolchildren in Korea are very smart. According to statistics, 93% of students graduate from university, which puts the quality of education in the country second in the world. What is this connected with? Thanks to private institutions (hagwons), children have the opportunity to study many subjects, ranging from mathematics to belly dancing or taekwondo. On average, the country's parents spend up to $17 billion a year on their children's education. But this technique also has its drawbacks. Firstly, only rich families can afford education, while the poor are content with little. Secondly, classes at hagwons are held in the afternoon, which means that children attend school twice and come home tired.
Which is better: Japan or Korea? If there are many examples of friendly rivalry in the world (Australia - New Zealand) or warlike (India - Pakistan), then these Asian countries are the “golden mean”. Even if they don't point nuclear weapons at each other, relations between them are always tense. This fact about South Korea and Japan is due to the fact that in the past the latter had a bad habit of infiltrating the territory of the former. Decades later, the situation has, of course, changed, but Koreans believe that the Japanese have still not officially apologized.
Discussions about skirts. It's strange to see so many bare legs in a conservative country. But miniskirts are the norm in South Korea. Even a business woman can wear business meeting an outfit that barely covers the butt, and no one will regard this as vulgarity.
An amusement park with a toilet theme. There are many strange attractions in the world, but this place in South Korea literally outdoes them all. A park with an "interesting" theme located in the city of Suwanee has been opened in honor of the beloved ex-mayor, nicknamed Mr. Toilet. The official was obsessed with sanitation and his main goal was to provide the population with good toilets and teach them how to properly maintain them.
Plastic surgery. Everyone wants to be beautiful, especially South Koreans. According to the results of a survey conducted back in 2009, every fifth woman in the country has gone under the knife. Basically the requests are the same: V-shaped chin, small nose and big eyes.
Bullfights. No, we are not talking about a red rag or a bullfighter. In Korea, cattle fight. Ranchers are constantly on the lookout for good "fighters." More often they choose massive ones, with a thick neck and long horns. The fight ends when one bull leaves the arena. The winner receives money prize, and the loser goes to drown his sorrows in rice wine.
Terminator jellyfish. Perhaps the most interesting fact about South Korea, more reminiscent of a science fiction film script. The oceans are teeming with jellyfish, so a group of scientists created a robot specifically to combat them. Due to the invasion of marine animals, the country lost 300 million dollars, and in Sweden it was necessary to close a nuclear power plant. In this regard, the Koreans have created and are actively using terminator jellyfish that destroy real ones. Now the robot is capable of exterminating up to 900 kg of marine animals, but soon, according to scientists, the figure will reach 2000 kg.

Traditions and customs

House - sacred place Therefore, special attention is paid to cleanliness, where dirt and especially disorder are completely unacceptable. It is customary to be indoors without shoes (barefoot) or, in extreme cases, in socks. If in summer the rule does not cause discomfort, then in winter additional heating is required. Therefore, when building houses they use modern technologies in the form of a heated floor.

Another interesting fact and custom of South Korea is associated with the ceremony of remembrance of ancestors - Chere. According to Korean belief, the soul does not leave immediately, but remains with the descendants for another 4 generations. Therefore, the deceased is also considered a family member, and New Year, Thanksgiving Day and Death Anniversary, the Chere ceremony is performed. Koreans also sincerely believe that if their ancestors bless them, then life will be happy.

The next interesting fact about South Korea is related to gestures. When you call someone over, raise your hand, palm down, and wave, moving your fingers. Never make this gesture with your palm up, much less index finger- only dogs are called that way in the country.

Facts that prove South Korea is beyond our understanding

Residents of the country are especially careful about oral hygiene, since dental services are very expensive. It is customary here to brush your teeth after every meal, and you can often find a brush in your handbag. In addition, in the restrooms of some establishments there is always a free disposable device for brushing teeth.

The next interesting fact about South Korea and Koreans is based on statistics. Many residents are myopic, so they wear glasses or contacts since childhood. This fact gives the impression that they are all born with poor eyesight. But that's not true. As mentioned earlier, Koreans are very smart and spend most of their time studying, immersed in their favorite gadgets. It is worth noting that not everyone is concerned about the disease. For example, Lim Dong Hyun (two-time Olympic champion) sees only 20% of normal. But the irony is that a man is participating in an archery competition!

Korean cosmetics have long captivated Western and domestic fashionistas, but here everyone uses it, regardless of gender or age. Korean women carefully monitor appearance hair and skin, so they buy an incredible amount of products. They never go out without makeup. Young Koreans also care about their appearance. It is almost impossible to see a man with a sloppy or disheveled hairstyle on the street.

Contrary to popular belief, few people in South Korea have tried dog meat. Moreover, a movement to abandon the traditional dish is gaining popularity in the state. There was widespread support from young people who had been brought up to treat animals as friends. By the way, government policy also does not encourage the consumption of dog meat.

Now about In any city in the world, there are cafes, bars and restaurants at every turn, but the speed of service in Korea is simply amazing. The order is delivered literally within 10 minutes, and some establishments even send delivery people again to pick it up dirty dishes. Here, instead of the usual “How are you?” They will ask you, “Did you eat well?”, and skipping any meal for a Korean is akin to a sin.

Let's talk about sexual touching. If in Europe two men holding hands are considered representatives of the LGBT movement, then in Korea everything is different. Society is extremely disapproving of a couple of opposite sexes demonstrating feelings in public. But playing with hair or sitting on a friend's lap is quite acceptable for men.

Korea is the cradle of eSports. At the beginning of the 2000s, computer Star game Craft has become a real cult. Esports players are real stars. Thousands of fans come to meet them, and stadiums with large screens. And this, in turn, is another interesting fact about South Korea: a computer game is a real sport, for which players spend many sleepless nights while training.

And a few words about compulsory military service. According to the law, every Korean must undergo 21 months of military training. This iron rule complied with regardless of social status resident. Only those who are incompetent and those who defend the honor of the country in the international arena can excuse themselves. For example, football players Ki Sun-young (Swansea) and Park Ji-sung (Manchester United) were exempted from military service.

Start of a relationship

If in Russia and in many other countries first love is most often met at school, then in the Land of Morning Freshness this is more difficult. An interesting fact about life in South Korea is that for every child, school always comes first. And if hyperactive children manage to start relationships at school, then for the rest there is simply no time for amorous affairs - from 9 to 5 classes, then electives, tutors, classes... When to fall in love?

But when you enter university, everything changes. Studying is not so hard, so many students live for their own pleasure: on Fridays they get together with a group and drink soju, join hobby groups and clubs. Exactly this best time, because after graduation almost all of them long years will work from morning until late evening.

That's why romantic relationship for young Koreans, it is during their university years that they begin.

What then

Continuing the story, here are a few facts about South Korea related to further development:

The first date is already the beginning of the relationship, and after the meeting ends, the guy and the girl “officially” become a couple. In addition, she always comes to the meeting with an older friend in order to look advantageous against her background.
After a while, "witnesses" are not needed and lovers can walk around holding hands, but kissing and hugging in public is inappropriate in Korea.
Another trend for couples is the same style. The phenomenon is called Couple Look - clothing stores make good money from it.
An important date for lovers is the hundredth day from the date of their meeting. Girls expect from guys not flowers and sweets, but designer jewelry, clothes, cosmetics, shoes, and bags. According to one Korean blogger, a gift costs an average of $800.
To move on to a closer relationship, the couple must date for at least a year.

Family matters

It's time to learn the facts about relationships in South Korea.

Home warms hearts, and every person should have a family. The opinion of the oldest family member is dominant. Create new family Not a single South Korean will dare without the consent of the older generation and parental blessing. Of course, now freedom of action is much wider, but neither a boy nor a girl can do without the guidance of a mother and father. Excessive parental control, on the contrary, is welcome.

The main priorities are inextricably linked with the family hearth. Previously, several generations of relatives lived together in traditional small houses. But times are changing, and they have been replaced by spacious apartments. The only thing that has remained unchanged is the statutory rules.

When meeting parents, names are not mentioned - only “mom” and “dad”. This treatment is connected with another interesting fact about South Korea. According to the sign, the meaning of the name, having heavy weight, influences fate, making a person more vulnerable. Therefore, residents of the Asian country rarely give their names.

Family relationships in South Korea have always been characterized by mutual respect and understanding. Despite the fact that a woman has the same rights as a man, the responsibilities between spouses are clearly delineated.

The wife is responsible for coziness and comfort, keeps the hearth, resolves disagreements, and the man, being the head, ensures the existence of the family. However, despite his authority, he never interferes in home improvement issues and conflict resolution. Even in the most difficult situation, the husband always remains on the sidelines.

About children

Another interesting fact about South Korea is related to the birth of a child. Since the country has a unique calendar, the baby is born at the age of one. This is due to the fact that the child spends 9 months (almost a year) in the mother’s womb. But that's not all. On the first New Year (January 1), another one is added to the baby. Thus, the children here are as much as 2 years older than their actual age.

To combat discrimination, the government passed a law according to which both son and daughter are considered equal heirs, therefore the attitude towards the gender of the child is neutral. But Confucian traditions were still preserved. According to this, special attention is paid to the eldest.

The world of show business

For many years the country was famous for its "slave contracts". This fact about South Korea is related to the popular mainstream K-pop. For example, a former member of the group Super Junior said in 2009 that the owners of SM Entertainment did not allow him to go on sick leave when he was diagnosed with gastritis and kidney problems.

And it's not the only one similar case. Major labels justify their actions by saying that if a young performer really wants to become popular, he must overcome all difficulties - sleep no more than 4 hours a day, not start a relationship while the contract is valid, not go on sick leave, and much more.

Bad number "4"

An interesting fact about South Korea, based on superstition. Residents have a “special” attitude towards the four. The problem is that the transcription of the number 4 is consonant with the word death.

Superstition has reached the point that in buildings after the third floor there is immediately a fifth. It's not even in hospitals. Agree, few Koreans would want to be treated on a floor called “death,” especially if the disease is dangerous.

In some elevators the "4" button is replaced with English letter F (four). However, in everyday speech the number four sounds without exception.

Let's go back to the past

And finally, I would like to give a few historical facts about South Korea:

“Taehan Minguk” 대한 민국 - this is what the residents call the country, but most often the abbreviation Hanguk, and sometimes Namhan, is used in conversation.
The word "Korea" comes from the name of the state "Koryo", which existed in 918-1392.
The history of North and South Korea began in 1945, when the Soviet-American agreement was signed. According to the agreement, the first came under the jurisdiction of the USSR, and the second - the United States.
Although it lasted until 1953, there was no official announcement of the end of hostilities.
Older generation Koreans do not like the Japanese, since the colonization policy of the Land of the Rising Sun has not yet been forgotten.

North Korean counters

The lives of ordinary Koreans in the DPRK are protected from outsiders as a military secret. Journalists can only look at her from a safe distance - through the glass of the bus. And breaking through this glass is an incredibly difficult task. You cannot go to the city on your own: only with a guide, only by agreement, but there is no agreement. It took five days to persuade the accompanying people to take a ride to the center.

Taxis go to the center. The drivers are incredibly happy to see passengers - almost no one uses their services at the hotel. It is impossible to order a taxi for a foreigner in the DPRK. They take us to a shopping center on Kwan Bo Avenue - something like New Arbat in Moscow. The store is special - there are two red signs above the entrance. Kim Jong Il was here twice and Kim Jong Un came here once. The shopping center resembles a typical Soviet Central Department Store: a three-story concrete cube with high windows.

Inside, the atmosphere is like in the main department store of a small Russian city. There is a supermarket on the ground floor. There's a line at the cash register. There are a lot of people, maybe even an unnaturally large number. Everyone is actively filling large carts with groceries.

I study the prices: a kilo of pork 22,500 won, chicken 17,500 won, rice 6,700 won, vodka 4,900 won. If you remove a couple of zeros, then the prices are North Korea almost like Russian ones, only vodka is cheaper. With prices in the DPRK in general strange story. The minimum wage for a worker is 1,500 won. A pack of instant noodles costs 6,900 won.

How so? - I ask the translator.

He is silent for a long time.

Consider it like we simply forgot about two zeros. - after thinking, he answers.

Local money

And in prices official life North Korea does not get along with the real one. The won exchange rate for foreigners is 1 dollar - 100 won, and the real exchange rate is 8,900 won per dollar. An example can be illustrated on a bottle of North Korean energy drink - this is a non-carbonated ginseng decoction. In a hotel and in a store it costs completely different money.

For prices in the store local residents looked through the denomination's lens. That is, two zeros are subtracted from the price tag. Or rather, adding two zeros to your salary. With this approach, the situation with wages and prices will more or less normalize. And either noodles cost 69 won instead of 6900. Or the minimum wage for a worker is not 1,500, but 150,000 won, about 17 dollars. The question remains: who is buying food carts at the mall and using what? It looks like they are not workers and definitely not foreigners.

Foreigners in the DPRK do not use the local currency, the won. In the hotel, although prices are indicated in won, you can pay in dollars, euros or yuan. Moreover, there may be a situation where you pay in euros and receive change in Chinese money. North Korean money is banned. IN souvenir shops You can buy the old 1990 style won. It's hard to find real won, but it's possible.

They differ only in the aged Kim Il Sung.

However, real money from the DPRK is of little use to a foreigner - sellers simply will not accept it. And it is prohibited to take national money out of the country.

On the second floor of the shopping center they sell colorful dresses. On the third, parents lined up in a tight formation at the children's play corner. Kids ride down slides and play with balls. Parents film them on their phones. The phones are different, a couple of times quite expensive mobile phones from a well-known Chinese brand flash in my hands. And once I notice a phone that looks like a South Korean flagship. However, the DPRK knows how to surprise and mislead, and sometimes strange things happen - on an excursion to the red corner of a cosmetics factory, a modest guide suddenly flashes in his hands what seems to be the latest model Apple phone. But if you take a closer look - no, it seemed like it was a Chinese device similar to it.

On the top floor there is a row of cafes typical of shopping centers: visitors eat burgers, potatoes, Chinese noodles, and drink Taedongan light draft beer - one type, no alternative. But they are not allowed to film it. Having enjoyed the abundance of people, we go out into the street.

Pyongyang in style

A new Lada is parked on the sidewalk, as if by chance. Domestic cars are rare for the DPRK. Is this a coincidence - or was the car placed here specifically for guests?

People are walking along the street: many pioneers and pensioners. Passers-by are not afraid of the video recording. A man and a woman, who appear to be 40 years old, are leading a little girl by the hands. They say they are walking with their daughter. Koreans get married late - no earlier than 25–30 years old.

A cyclist in black glasses and a khaki shirt rides by. Girls in long skirts pass by. Girls in the DPRK are prohibited from wearing miniskirts and revealing outfits. The streets of Pyongyang are guarded by "fashion patrols". Elderly ladies have the right to catch violating fashionistas and hand them over to the police. The only truly striking item in the wardrobe of Korean women is the sun umbrella. They can even be flamboyantly colorful.

Korean women love cosmetics. But mostly it's not makeup, but skin care products. As elsewhere in Asia, face whitening is in vogue here. Cosmetics are made in Pyongyang. And the state is closely monitoring her.

In the depths of Pyongyang's main cosmetics factory there is a secret rack. Hundreds of bottles and bottles: Italian eye shadows, Austrian shampoos, French creams and perfumes. The “banned product,” which cannot be bought in the country, is sent to the factory personally by Kim Jong-un. He demands that Korean cosmetologists and perfumers take cues from Western brands.

Men in Korea often wear gray, black and khaki. Bright outfits are rare. In general, the fashion is the same. There are no people who clearly oppose themselves to those around them. Even jeans are illegal, only black or black trousers gray. Shorts are also not allowed on the street. And a man with piercings, tattoos, painted or long hair impossible in the DPRK. Decorations interfere with building a bright future.

Other children

Another thing is North Korean children. Little residents of the DPRK are not like boring adults. They wear outfits of all colors of the rainbow. For girls pink dresses. The boys are wearing ripped jeans. Or a T-shirt with not a portrait of Kim Jong Il, but an American Batman badge. The children look as if they have escaped from another world. They even talk about something else.

What do you like most about the DPRK? - I ask the kid with Batman on his jacket. And I'm waiting to hear the names of the leaders.

The boy looks at me shyly, but suddenly smiles.

Toys and walks! - he says somewhat confused.

Koreans explain why kids look so bright and adults look so bland. There are no serious demands placed on children. Before school age they can dress in whatever they want. But from the first grade, children are taught to live a proper life and explained how everything in the world works. Rules of behavior, way of thinking and adult dress code change their lives.

Street life

There is a stall near the shopping center. Koreans buy DVDs with films - they contain new releases from the DPRK. There is a story about partisans, a drama about an innovator in production, and a lyrical comedy about a girl who became a guide in the museum named after the great Kim Il Sung. DVD players are very popular in North Korea.

But flash drives with films banned by the party are an article. For example, the article covers South Korean TV series. Of course, ordinary Koreans find such films and watch them on the sly. But the state is struggling with this. And he is gradually transferring local computers to the North Korean analogue of the Linux operating system with its own code. This is so that third-party media cannot be played.

A nearby stall sells snacks.

These are the buns that workers buy during their breaks,” the saleswoman says joyfully and hands over a bag of cakes that resemble portions shortbread cookies with jam.

“Everything is local,” she adds and shows the barcode on the package “86” – made in the DPRK. On the counter is “pesot” - popular homemade pies, shaped like khinkali, but with cabbage inside.

A tram arrives at the stop. A crowd of passengers surrounds him. Behind the stop there is a bike rental. In some ways it is similar to Moscow.

One minute - 20 won. You can rent a bike using this token,” a pretty girl in the window explains the conditions to me.

Having said this, she takes out a thick notebook. And hands it to my translator. He makes a note in his notebook. Apparently, this is a catalog for registering foreigners. A cyclist in black glasses and a khaki shirt stands by the side of the road. And I realize that this is the same cyclist who passed me more than an hour ago. He looks carefully in my direction.

It’s time for us to go to the hotel,” says the translator.

Internet and cellular communications

The Internet that is shown to foreigners reminds local network, which used to be popular in residential areas. It connected several blocks, and films and music were exchanged there. Koreans do not have access to the global Internet.

You can access the internal network from your smartphone - there is even a North Korean messenger. But there's nothing else in particular. However, cellular communications have only been available to residents of the country for ten years.

The DPRK's internal Internet is no place for fun. There are sites there government agencies, universities and organizations. All resources have been reviewed by the Ministry of State Security. The DPRK does not have its own bloggers or truth-tellers on the Internet.

Memes, social networks, swearing in the comments - these are alien concepts to the capitalist world. I toured different computer labs. Some run on Windows, some on Linux. But not a single computer can access the Internet. Although the browsers there are well-known, there is even a local DPRK browser. But search histories are not names of sites, but sets of IP addresses. Although there is an Internet for journalists: global, fast and insanely expensive.

Dog's dinner

Koreans eat dogs. South Koreans are a little ashamed of this. But in the north they are proud of it. In response to all the indignant remarks, they ask why eating a dog is worse than eating a beef cutlet, pork kebab or lamb soup. Goats, sheep and cows are also cute pets. Just like dogs.

For Koreans, dog meat is not only exotic, but also medicinal. According to tradition, it was eaten in the heat, in the midst of field work, “to expel heat from the body.” Here, apparently, the principle “knocks out fire with fire” works here: the hot and spicy dog meat stew burned the body so much that relief followed and work became easier.

Koreans do not eat all dogs - and pets do not go under the knife. Although it was not possible to see the dog (with or without its owner) on the streets of Pyongyang. Dogs for the table are raised on special farms. And for foreigners it is served in the hotel cafe. They are not on the regular menu, but you can ask for them. The dish is called Tangogi. They bring dog broth, fried and spicy dog meat, and a selection of sauces. All this must be mixed and eaten with rice. You can drink it with hot tea. However, Koreans often wash everything down with rice vodka.

The taste of the dog, if you try to describe the dish, is reminiscent of spicy and insipid lamb. The dish, to be honest, is incredibly spicy, but very tasty - may particularly scrupulous dog breeders forgive me.

Souvenir, magnet, poster

A souvenir from the DPRK is a strange combination in itself. It seems that it is impossible to bring sweet tourist delights from such a closed and regulated country. In fact it is possible, but not much. Firstly, ginseng fans will feel at ease in the DPRK. In the country they make everything from it: teas, vodka, medicines, cosmetics, seasonings.

Lovers of alcoholic beverages won't have much fun. Strong alcohol - or specific alcohol, like rice vodka, which, according to people in the know, gives a strong hangover. Or exotic, like drinks with a snake or seal penis. Drinks like beer exist in two or three varieties and differ little from the average Russian samples. They don't produce grape wine in the DPRK; they do have plum wine.

There are catastrophically few types of magnets in the DPRK, or rather, one with the national flag. No other pictures - neither of leaders nor of landmarks - will decorate your refrigerator. But you can buy a figurine: “a monument to the ideas of Juche” or the flying horse Chollima (emphasis on the last syllable) - this is a North Korean Pegasus carrying the ideas of Juche. There are also stamps and postcards - there you can find images of leaders. Unfortunately, the famous Kim pins are not for sale. A badge with the national flag is the only loot of a foreigner. In general, that's all - the assortment is not large.

Exotic lovers can buy themselves a souvenir passport of the DPRK. This is certainly a nomination for the most original dual citizenship.

Bright tomorrow

It feels like North Korea is now on the verge of big changes. What they will be is unknown. But it seems that reluctantly, a little fearfully, the country is opening up. Rhetoric and attitudes towards the world around us are changing.

On the one hand, the DPRK authorities continue to build their inhabited island. A fortress-state, closed from all external forces. On the other hand, they are increasingly talking not about fighting to the bitter end and to the last soldier, but about the well-being of the people. And the people are drawn to this prosperity.

At the next cafe table three Koreans are sitting and drinking. They are wearing nondescript gray trousers. In plain polo shirts. Above everyone’s heart is a scarlet badge with leaders. And on the hand of the one who is closest is a gold Swiss watch. Not the most expensive - costing a couple of thousand euros.

But with the average salary in the DPRK, you will have to work for this accessory for a couple of lifetimes without days off. And only Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il live forever. However, the owner of the watch wears it calmly, perceiving it as something normal. For him, this is already a new, established reality of the Juche country.

Of course, in a society of demonstrative universal equality, there are always those who are significantly more equal. But it seems that the country faces a closed door to new world. The people of the DPRK have been frightened by this world for a long time, but in the near future they may have to open this door and face the new world face to face.

LJ user lookianov writes: “Now it has become fashionable to talk about how to improve our city, which, by the way, makes me very happy. Therefore, I will tell you about the experience that I managed to spy in Korea. Under the cut there are a lot of pictures and text about how Koreans live.”

(Total 39 photos)

2. I’ll start, perhaps, with the metro. Being on the Korean subway is very comfortable and safe!

The doors to enter the carriage open synchronously with the gates at the station, as in St. Petersburg. It’s strange that they didn’t do this in Moscow; so many lives could have been saved. Each door in the carriage is marked with its own number. Do you see the signs on the platform? That is, we can say: we meet at the Chunmuro station at door number 4 of the fifth car. It's impossible to get lost!

3. The subway is a whole city, with huge passages - the so-called “Underground shopping centers”

5. There are very decent chain cafes right in the metro where you can sit or take something delicious with you.

6. And this is the Metro Art Center. You can look at contemporary art without leaving the subway. I am glad that we are also taking similar steps.

7. But, of course, the most important thing is that the Korean subway has very decent toilets! Despite the fact that these are public toilets, in most cases they are very clean, do not stink, there is always soap and paper, etc. In the Moscow metro I have never seen toilets at all!! They are??

8. There are no cashiers in the Korean subway. Tickets can only be purchased at self-service terminals.

There are two types of tickets: one-time and permanent. Here is the most interesting moment.
Permanent tickets - "T-money" are issued in the form plastic cards, or these funny keychains with a built-in chip that can be charged for any amount. You simply place the keychain in a special window and put on it any amount of money that is spent according to the current tariff. You can pay with these key fobs everywhere. There are terminals on buses, trains and even taxis. T-money can also be used to pay bills and purchases. Very comfortably!

Another type of ticket is valid for a certain number of trips, and the fare is calculated based on the length of your route. You need to touch your ticket to the turnstile both to enter and exit.
In Seoul, these tickets are made in the form of reusable magnetic cards. When purchasing a ticket, you make a deposit for using the card and when leaving the metro you can return this deposit in a special machine. Brilliant! This way there is no need to reissue great amount cards are expensive to produce and people remember to return them.

Busan has a different system. There tickets are made in the form of small magnetic strips. When leaving, you insert this ticket into the turnstile and it stays there. No trash cans are needed, tickets are recycled, no one litters.
EVERYTHING IS VERY SIMPLE!

So why do we issue EXPENSIVE, but DISPOSABLE magnetic cards, which then need to be thrown into the trash bin? Quite wasteful. I don’t think that our city planners didn’t come up with the idea of adopting the Korean experience. Most likely, this was done in someone’s interests, in order to constantly provide work for card manufacturers. Don't you think so?

10. By the way, there are no queues near the self-service terminals, because, basically, all locals use T-money. There is also a money change machine near each terminal. Very comfortably!

12. English-speaking guides work at metro stations adjacent to train stations and airports. They will come up to you if you look like a tourist, help you buy tickets, find your hotel, and answer all your questions.

13. Wi-Fi in Korea works almost everywhere. For example, subway cars have routers from two operators. But only locals can use it, since to log in they need a login and password, which they are given upon connection. But visitors cannot simply buy a SIM card. You can only rent a phone.

14. The carriages themselves are very spacious and interconnected. Inside the carriage, when the train is moving, it is quiet, you can communicate without raising your voice, listen to music at a low volume. Reading books is also very comfortable, because the carriage does not shake at all. What can I say... when the carriage arrives at the station, there is no hellish noise like we have. Just a pleasant "oooooooooo" sound. Everything is so precise that you don't feel the speed. The gap between the car and the platform is about 4 centimeters. By the way, the cars are controlled automatically. There are no machinists as such!

15. Please note that seats for disabled people remain free. There are luggage racks above the seats. For passengers who ride standing there are high and low handrails. If you are not tall, you do not need to “hang” from the bar. 90% of Korean subway passengers are absorbed in their gadgets. All segments of the population have smartphones. Young people sit on social networks, and aunties watch TV. For Koreans, smartphones along with a contract are very cheap and everyone can afford them.

16. Navigating the Korean subway is quite easy. At each station there are these touch-screen monitors. You can choose your own route and even see what attractions there are at each station. Each station can have up to 10 exits. But they are all marked with numbers, so it’s impossible to get lost. You just agree: “Meet me at exit 5.” Very convenient, no need to explain anything for a long time. Fifth exit, that's it!

18. Separately, it is necessary to say about caring for the disabled.

19. The vast majority of places have paths for the blind.

20. Each metro station has elevators and special escalators for people in wheelchairs and just older people.

21. Information boards are also duplicated for people with disabilities. In principle, disabled people can move around the city quite freely. There are no insurmountable obstacles.

What struck me most about the Korean subway was the organization of the passengers themselves. Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo, but I'll try to explain it in words.
The situation is familiar when, during rush hour, a crowd of people begins to break into the doors of the cars. There is no such thing in Korea. If there is no train for a long time and a lot of people accumulate on the platform, the Koreans themselves line up in two lines, one on each side of the car door, and enter one at a time. The principle of “squeezing” is not welcome here. To be honest, the first time I discovered this was when, out of habit, I rushed into the carriage myself. But judging by the surprised looks of people, I quickly realized the situation :) It’s a shame, yes.

Well enough about the metro. The city also has many interesting points.

22. City transport is also very well organized. For example, here is an electronic display at a bus stop, which shows which bus is approaching, what time the number you need will be, and so on. Bus drivers drive very dynamically and follow the “Palli-palli” principle, which I will talk about later.

23. We also managed to ride on high speed train across the country, from Seoul to Busan. Despite the fact that the train is moving fast - 300 km/h, the speed is not felt, there is no knocking or shaking. The ride is really very comfortable! We didn’t even notice how we flew across the whole of Korea in a couple of hours. Another interesting fact is that the ticket inspector never checked our tickets. I just forgot which pocket I put them in and started looking. The conductor said, ok, I believe you. That’s all 🙂 I’ll also tell you about relationships based on trust further.

24. All sidewalks in the city are tiled. And this is how intersections in residential areas are arranged. You see, on all four sides, immediately before the intersection there is an impressively sized, bright artificial bump. You won’t be able to dash through the intersection; you will have to slow down almost to a complete stop. This completely eliminates the possibility of serious accidents.

25. This is how parking spaces are organized in residential areas. The building stands on beams, and the entire first floor is an entrance with parking. The solution is very smart, as it saves space; the streets in such areas are narrow, and it is not possible to leave the car there.

26. Areas with modern high-rise buildings are similar to ours. I liked the solution - to write large house numbers at a height, so that you can find the house you need from afar.

27. Seoul has a huge number of all kinds of parks, squares, and recreation areas. When you walk around the city, you can immediately see that it is being built for life, for the citizens. All the areas we were able to visit were very comfortable and well-groomed.

28. When we walked around the city, we never had any problems with toilets. Unlike trash cans, toilets are everywhere here. Everywhere they are very decent, clean, and most importantly - free! It's like in the next picture. Sometimes it’s scary to go into our plastic boxes. And you also have to pay for it! I believe that such idiocy should not exist in decent cities.

29. Mostly older people play on numerous sports grounds. Therefore, it is not surprising that people over 50 are very active. They play sports, travel, climb mountains, and so on. Koreans take care of themselves. Everyone looks very decent, we didn’t see any ugly fat Koreans, dirty, sloppily dressed people who would be unpleasant to be around.

30. There is also an active fight against smoking here. Taking care of your health is the number 1 priority in Korea.

31. At first we were slightly surprised by the fact that trash cans are a rarity in the city and Seoul residents quietly leave garbage on the streets. In the evening, particularly busy areas such as Hongdae are covered with garbage, but in the morning they are sparkling clean again. Then I noticed that street cleaners were walking along the streets, with carts like these, collecting and sorting waste. So, maybe it’s clean not where they don’t litter, but where they clean well?

32. Koreans’ concern for nature is also impressive. Every tree is important to them, every bush they try to preserve.

33. Well, you probably already understood from all of the above that Korea is one of the most decent and safe countries in the world. The police on the streets here are very friendly and rare. When you walk around Seoul, it is not at all possible that there is street crime here.

In conclusion, I would like to note several features inherent specifically to Koreans.

Cult of politeness and respect.
Koreans have long understood that you can live well in society only when you treat other people the way you would like them to treat you. Here no one is trying to deceive anyone, rob, overtake, humiliate, and so on.
All public life in Korea is built on mutual respect and trust. Here is a very illustrative example.

34. Soft pads are glued to the doors of cars, even executive ones, so as not to accidentally hit neighboring parked cars. Over the past year, my car was hit in this way three times in parking lots. Now there is a dent on each side.

There are no strict controls in the stores; no one forces you to seal your bags in plastic bags. Shop windows on the streets are without sellers, because no one is going to steal anything.
I already talked about queues for metro cars.

35. Hard work and the “Pali-Pali” principle. Most Koreans work 6 days a week. It is one of the most industrious nations in the world.

There is a famous joke in Korea on this topic:
“Koreans work like normal Koreans, they come to work at 7 am, leave at 11 pm, everything is as it should be, and one Korean came at 9 and left at 6. Well, everyone looked at him strangely, okay, maybe he needs something urgently to a person. The next day he comes again at 9 and leaves at 6. Everyone is shocked, they start looking at him askance and whispering behind his back. On the third day, he again comes at 9 and goes home at 6. On the fourth day, the team could not stand it.
- Listen, why are you coming so late and leaving so early?
“Guys, what are you doing, I’m on vacation.”

As our friend, a famous Korean ceramist, told us. (The picture above is of her workshop.) They believe that working for the government is more prestigious than having your own small business. The state pays well for work and provides unprecedented social guarantees. One of the most respected and highly paid professions in Korea is a TEACHER!

Koreans also have an unspoken principle of “Pali-pali”. Literally this expression means “faster, faster.” “Don’t slow down” - if in our opinion. They hate waiting. This shows up in everything. You will be served instantly in a restaurant, your purchases will be delivered quickly, bus drivers drive very dynamically, start quickly, and brake sharply. Most companies fulfill orders instantly, on the spot. I was convinced of this myself when I submitted the films for development, and after 2 hours they were ready. Koreans hate wasting time. I think this is one of the reasons why their economy took off so quickly.

37. National product. 90% of the cars on Korean roads are Korean-made. The vast majority of electronics, clothing, groceries, and indeed all goods are also Korean and, as you know, very High Quality. The country produces and consumes its own wealth.

Organized. It seems that for Koreans this begins already at school, with wearing a school uniform and walking in ranks. Everything here is clearly organized.
What I liked most was that the city’s districts were organized “by interests.” There is a furniture district, a fashion district, streets selling electronics, a district of printing services, a district of bicycle shops, and so on. It's incredibly convenient! If you want to order corporate calendars, for example, you don't have to drive all over town looking for the best deal. All firms in this industry are located in one block. This is beneficial for both sellers and buyers. The photo above shows the printing services quarter.

39. This is what a typical Korean strike looks like.

This is a very common phenomenon. Here it is customary to express your dissatisfaction out loud, but people fight for their rights in a civilized manner and, as we were told, in most cases this bears fruit.

It would seem that all of the above is so simple and logical, but why then is it so rich country How can ours not organize our lives in a similar way?
It seems to me that we somehow developed hope for someone or something. Yeltsin will come and change everything! Let us overthrow Putin and everyone will live well in Rus'. Nothing like that, as you can see. Order should be first of all in our heads! And the Korean experience demonstrates this perfectly.

Workers who live without breaking laws and do their jobs well receive up to 1 thousand grams of rice, meat and eggs in return. They constantly report on TV that residents of other countries do not have all this and live much worse. Check it out to an ordinary person impossible, since only trusted individuals are allowed to communicate with foreigners.

Life in North Korea is about complete obedience. If a person keeps a radio in his house and listens to music foreign performers or watches foreign TV channels (although this is practically impossible), a link to hard labor or prison awaits him. The situation is worsened by the fact that repression is imposed not only on the offender, but also on his entire family. And the whole family ends up on the so-called black list. This is fraught with the fact that no one will be accepted into the university, there will be no work, and entry into the capital is also prohibited. For particularly serious crimes, a person is publicly executed.

There is one huge advantage to such laws: there is virtually no crime. The nation is growing healthy and strong, because from childhood everyone attends classes, is regularly examined by doctors and does not eat much. No woman has the right to pick up a cigarette.

North Korea's birth rate exceeds South Korea's. But these numbers will soon become equal, as the country’s government is pursuing a policy to reduce the number of children in families.

Decrease in life expectancy

No matter how strange it may sound, even though Koreans often do not have bad habits, their life expectancy is reduced. Now he is 66 years old. This figure is constantly falling due to the fact that women and children suffer from the general situation in the country.

An expert on US international affairs said that the amount of food allocated per person is not enough to restore vital energy. Therefore, life expectancy in North Korea, especially for ordinary workers, is only falling.

The problem with this system is that some areas of the country simply do not receive it. This is due to the fact that the state has a basic rule - to notify the government of your intentions to visit any area.

The impact of the Korean War on the country's economic development

The war, or police operation, was carried out from 1950 to 1953. This confrontation is also called " Forgotten war”, since he was not mentioned in official publications for a long time.

In fact, this conflict was fueled by poor relations between the United States and its allies and China. The Northern Coalition consisted of the DPRK, the army) and the USSR. The latter two countries did not officially participate in the war, but actively supplied weapons and finance. The Southern Coalition consisted of the Republic of Korea, England and the United States of America. In addition to the listed countries, the UN was also on the side of the South.

The cause of the war was the desire of the president of both North and South Korea to unite the peninsula under his leadership. This belligerent mood radically changed life in North Korea; photographs from those times are indisputable evidence. All men were liable for military service and were required to serve more than 10 years.

During preparations for the confrontation, the government of the Soviet Union feared the outcome of the Third World War, which was their reason for not fulfilling some requests from North Korea. However, this did not affect the supply of weapons and military personnel. The DPRK gradually increased the power of its army.

The war began with the occupation of Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea. It ended with India making a proposal to create a peace treaty. But since the South refused to sign the document, Clark, a UN general, became its representative. A demilitarized zone was created. But an interesting fact remains that an agreement to end the war has not yet been signed.

Foreign policy

The DPRK is very aggressive, but at the same time reasonable. Political scientists in other countries suspect that the leader of the state has experts who are able to suggest the right decisions and predict the consequences in a given situation. It is worth noting that North Korea is a nuclear state. On the one hand, this forces hostile countries to take it into account, on the other hand, maintaining such weapons is quite expensive; many European countries have long abandoned them.

Relations with developed countries and their influence on the economic development of North Korea

Russia. After it broke up Soviet Union, relations with the Russian Federation have almost died out. Only during the reign of Vladimir Putin were cooperation agreements signed in many areas. In addition, in 2014, all debts of the north to the Russian Federation were written off. In some ways, this did little to make life easier for the North Koreans.

USA. Relations with the United States are still quite tense. America to this day stands on the side of South Korea and supports it in every possible way, which helps the economy develop significantly. The same cannot be said about the northern part of the state. US representatives portray the DPRK as an aggressor and often accuse them of provoking their southern neighbor and Japan. Some serious publications conducted investigations and wrote that the northern government was trying to kill the president of South Korea, shooting down planes, sinking airliners. This American attitude does not contribute to the country's economic development, and it does not improve life in North Korea for ordinary people.
Japan. Relations with this country are completely severed and could escalate into a full-fledged war at any time. Each state after Korean War imposed sanctions on each other. And the DPRK openly stated in 2009 that if Japanese planes flew into Korean territory, lethal fire would be opened.
South Korea. Due to strained relations and desires to unite the peninsula, kidnappings, murders and attacks occur regularly. Shootings are often heard on the outskirts of countries, and they are also recorded on the land border. Several years ago, North Korea announced its decision to launch a nuclear attack against Seoul. However, this event was prevented. This is one of the main reasons why life in North Korea is dangerous and leads to the fact that young people, at the first opportunity, try to leave for permanent residence in other countries.

Military life for men

In 2006, there were more than 1 million people in the army of the Democratic People's Republic. There were over 7,500,000 in reserve, and 6,500,000 people were members of the Red Guard. About 200,000 more work as security guards at military installations and in other similar positions. And this despite the fact that the country's population is no more than 23 million.

The contract with the ground military is for 5-12 years. A man has the right to choose where to serve: in the army, division, corps or brigade.

Service time in the Navy is slightly shorter, ranging from 5 to 10 years. Thanks to the fact that the government spares no expense in developing its army, people are fully equipped with the necessary equipment, weapons and protective suits.

Unlike other countries, the state in question is investing in intelligence development, which significantly worsens the lives of people in North Korea.

Most of the military is concentrated in the area of the demilitarized zone. U people's army at its disposal are more than 3 thousand main and 500 light tanks, 2 thousand armored personnel carriers, 3 thousand artillery barrels, 7 thousand mortars; The ground forces also have approximately 11 thousand anti-aircraft installations. Such uniforms require a large investment Money, which could bring the country out of stagnation.

Life in North Korea (reviews) ordinary people this is confirmed) due to such a belligerent attitude, there is no progress, or rather, it simply stands still. The indigenous people don’t even know that it is possible to exist in any other way. It’s not for nothing that the country’s rulers came up with a slogan, the essence of which is not to envy anyone and live only on your own. This policy helps in some way to maintain control over the common population.

What is life like in North Korea? Reviews from foreigners

Unfortunately, all people living in the country are prohibited from talking about how hard their lives are. However, tourists who have visited North Korea willingly share all their memories and impressions.

According to traveler reviews, entry into the country is carried out only with the help of travel agencies. All the time, a person or group of people is under surveillance and moves around the city or region only with a guide. Radios, telephones, and any other gadgets are not allowed to be imported. This goes against the government's beliefs. You can only photograph what is permitted by the guide. In case of disobedience, the person is added to the blacklist and is prohibited from entering North Korea.

It is immediately clear to the naked eye that people live an average life. Poorly dressed, empty roads. Cars appear very rarely, which is why many children play on the roadway.

There are a lot of soldiers on the streets, who are also forbidden to photograph, especially if they are resting.

People travel on foot or on bicycles. Tourists are given free rides near the hotel. By the way, the corridors in the building resemble horror films. There have been no renovations for a long time, people appear here extremely rarely. In addition to bicycles, residents use bulls.

Both women and children work in the fields. Abandoned areas located on military bases are rich in small decoys that look like tanks.

Some buildings have escalators, which have only recently appeared. People are not yet used to them and have little understanding of how to use them.

Electricity in houses is provided for several hours. Trees and small monuments are whitewashed not with a brush, but with hands.

In the spring, people eat ordinary grass added to dishes, which can be quickly and unnoticeably picked from a neighboring lawn.

Economic spheres

The DPRK's economy is not well developed. Due to the fact that since 1960 the country has become closed and stopped publishing production statistics, all conclusions are given by independent experts and cannot be 100% reliable.

Industry. North Korea (the everyday life of citizens depends on the level of development of the state in this area) is moving well in the direction of mining. In addition, there are oil processing plants on the territory.
Mechanical engineering. The country produces machine tools that the Russian Federation imports. However, the models are not modern; they were produced in the USSR several decades ago. Cars, SUVs, and trucks are produced here.
Electronic sphere. After the DPRK imported several million more smartphones and regular cell phones in 2014 than in 2013, daily life in North Korea has become better. Over the past 5-7 years, companies have produced tablets, several smartphones and a special computer for working in factories.
Agriculture. Due to the fact that the country lacks fertile land, Agriculture poorly developed. Large area countries are occupied by mountains. The main crops planted are rice, soybeans, potatoes and corn. Unfortunately, few greens and vegetables are grown there that can be eaten raw. And this leads to deterioration in health and, as a result, reduces the life expectancy of ordinary Koreans. Livestock farming is dominated by poultry and pig farming. Due to the poor development of the country, the crops are harvested by hand.

Comparison of living standards of people in North and South Korea

The most closed country is North Korea. Life for ordinary people here is not the best. You can only get around the city by bicycle. Cars are an unprecedented luxury that an ordinary worker can hardly afford.

Anyone wishing to enter the capital must first obtain a pass. However, it's worth it. There are picturesque places, various monuments and monuments, and even the only metro in the whole country. Outside the city you can hitch a ride. Military personnel must always be given a ride - this is the law.

All residents of the DPRK must wear badges with state leaders. Also, citizens who have reached working age must get a job. But since there are often simply not enough places, local authority comes up with new activities, such as baling hay or sawing old trees. Those who have retired also need to do something. As a rule, parties are allocated a small plot of land, which the elderly undertake to look after.

Everyone has long known that North Korea, where the life of ordinary people sometimes turns into hell, has cruel laws and follows in the footsteps of fierce communism. However, there is something with which this country attracts and beckons. These are parks, nature reserves and just very Beautiful places, which you can admire endlessly. What is “Dragon Mountain” worth, which is located 30 minutes drive from Pyongyang.

Life for women in North Korea is very difficult. Mostly men are involved in the army, they have practically no benefit for the family, so the weaker sex became more active and was able to prove that they could live in such conditions. Nowadays, women are the main breadwinners. They are the ones who work around the clock due to the somewhat inadequate laws of the DPRK, aimed only at protecting the state. If we compare modern life with any historical era, then we can say with confidence that Korea is living in 1950. The photo below is proof of this.

South Korea is a country of cinema, music, prosperity. The country's main problem is alcoholism. The state ranks 7th in the world in terms of drunkenness, but this does not prevent it from advancing, expanding its sphere of influence and becoming a powerful power. The Government of the Republic conducts its foreign policy so that it has good relations with many European countries.

The people living in the country are kind, helpful, they always bow and smile at passersby. And especially this trait manifests itself in the service sector: in cafes, restaurants, cinemas. The buyer, or rather the person who pays the money, is treated like God. Under no circumstances should he wait long for his turn. Due to such rules, service in this country is distinguished by quality and speed.

Education is what makes South Korea different. It's top notch. Poor academic performance, which entails failure at university, means expulsion from society.

The army is not as well developed as in the north, but everyone is required to serve here - from workers to pop stars. The consequences that await after attempts to evade service are reminded of the constantly flying North Korean planes in the sky. Men are drafted closer to the age of 30. As a rule, Koreans get married very late, often after demobilization.

Their apartments look sparse. Only those who work tirelessly can afford houses. The citizens themselves laugh at the apartments and other housing that is shown on TV and published in magazines, saying that this is just a fantasy.

North and South Korea, whose living standards vary greatly, unfortunately, do not even think about uniting with the world. Some kind of conflicts and risks of renewed war constantly arise, which greatly impacts ordinary citizens of the north and forces them to migrate to other countries.

This country today is one of the most advanced and technologically advanced in the world. But here they do not forget about centuries-old traditions. As part of a project about people who went to live in other countries, I talked with Yana, who married a Korean and settled in South Korea.

I studied in St. Petersburg, at the Faculty of Tourism and hotel business. Like many graduates, she went abroad and worked as a hotel guide - first in Turkey, Egypt, then in Thailand. I came to Russia on vacation, for a month or two. I lived in Bangkok for about four years, where I met my future husband. First, he and I went to Canada, and then to Korea.

Should I bow?

My husband is a Korean citizen and works in a construction company. A financier by education, he worked in a bank, then in some financial company in Canada, after which he traveled for a year, which is how he met me.

In Seoul, we first lived with my husband’s parents, then moved to our own apartment. His family is very conservative, and I was very worried about how I would be received. But everything turned out easy. My husband's brother lives in Canada, and their mother spent seven years there - although she never learned to speak English. Only the father of the family does not leave the country - he has his own business.

Since many in the family lived in other countries, they treat foreigners with understanding. I was lucky, I was not required to strictly adhere to traditions - for example, bowing to my parents, calling them only “mom” and “dad”. I started learning Korean with them.

Arrived in Korea - speak Korean

We have been in Korea for three years now. I became pregnant and decided that I would give birth in Russia. Korea has excellent clinics and all kinds of rehabilitation for women in labor, but at home, as they say, even the walls help: I gave birth to a child in Russia, he will have dual citizenship - Russian and Korean.

In Korea, the government helps young families a lot. Locals are now not too keen on getting married, so the state even helps foreigners with family. There are various housing programs; you can sign up for a waiting list in a house under construction.

Photo: Won-Ki Min / Globallookpress.com

When we lived with my husband's parents, they only spoke to me in Korean - this helped a lot. Koreans believe that once you come to the country, be kind enough to study the language and customs and follow them. Even in the market and in the store you will not be able to communicate, for example, in English, as in other countries. Koreans, even those who know English, try not to speak it.

Every city has community centers, where foreigners can learn the language, to obtain citizenship and registration they must pass an exam. These same courses teach you how to cook local food and serve it as it should be here. I learned how to make kimchi, which I am very happy about.

Your boss is god

When I arrived in Seoul from Thailand, I looked for work at job fairs. Easy to find, lots of opportunities for locals and foreigners. They offered me a job at a hotel, but I didn’t like the conditions there. They also hired me at Marriott, but I didn’t have enough knowledge of Korean - despite the fact that you work with foreign tourists, you need to know the local language perfectly.

During this time, my husband showed me all of Korea, we traveled a lot. In the end, work didn’t work out, and while I was expecting a child, in addition to studying the language, I went to fitness classes and courses for pregnant women.

In Korea, the labor market is overloaded. You can’t just change the field of your professional activity. You must first unlearn, acquire qualifications, and be sure to get a “correction.”

In Korea, respect for superiors at any level is very developed. Your manager is your god. You cannot leave work before him; when you greet him in the team, you bow to him. If you're at a corporate party, he needs to be served. The manager is always right. I call this “collective slavery.”

Outside of work, if you communicate with a person older than you, even if you are friends, you address him only as you. You can't argue with him. Many young Koreans migrate to the United States and other countries in search of work. At work, Koreans try to hone their skills like a robot; they are completely dedicated to their work.

On the brink of war

When you come to Thailand, everyone smiles at you, but soon this superficial thing goes away, and they begin to hate you. In Korea they hate you right away. Although the attitude towards foreigners here is not very good, this does not affect me, because my husband has created such conditions that I am very comfortable.

I have a family visa, which we are extending, and later I can become a resident. If you come with a tourist or work visa, you feel less comfortable in this country.

There are three or four American military camps in South Korea. In theory, they perform security functions. Relations with North Korea are on the brink of war - they hate each other and are not even trying to get closer. There is a lot of talk on television that North Korea is an extremely poor country. Tourists are shown only certain places there; many residents try to escape from there to China, Thailand and other countries.

Learn, baby

I'm a biathlon fan. The Korean team in this sport has a Russian coach, preparing them for the Olympics, and they also bought two Russian biathletes. They were even given Korean passports! Koreans try to be the first in everything, and for this they need to create certain conditions, which is what they do.

It is very common practice here to find brides in neighboring countries - Vietnam, the Philippines. But Korean women are in no hurry to get married: she may be forty years old when she thinks about this question.

Korean children are special in some way - they are like kings. Their safety has been carefully thought out. Even from childhood, Koreans are encouraged to study and study, otherwise you will not achieve anything in life, it will be difficult to find a job.

To the pubs

South Korea is very modern, there is a fast pace of life, people are in a hurry, they work a lot. The country is small, and land here is expensive - it is almost impossible to buy an apartment; 70 percent of the total population rents housing or takes out a bank loan.

There are five or six super rich families in Korea. They are the ones who open shopping centers, hospitals, institutes and various types of companies.

average salary in the country - around two to three thousand dollars, prices in stores are high. Most are sold in large supermarkets. Two liters of milk, for example, cost five dollars. Local products are more expensive than imported ones, and they are of better quality. The older generation of Koreans are obsessed with healthy eating, which cannot be said about young people who love fast food. There are special tours to the mountains where you can try salads and other healthy foods prepared by the monks.

In the evenings all the people go to pubs. They really love to sit, talk, drink local beer and sojo - this is local wine. There are many different markets, there is even a Russian quarter, but it’s more like one name: people from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and so on live there. They run a cafe and transport things from Korea to their countries. I have a couple of friends here from Russia. One friend graduated from college in Korea and speaks the language perfectly.

After some time, my husband and child are planning to move to Canada. There are good social packages and a high standard of living. And for the child as a future school student, it is better there than in Korea, and it is preferable to receive higher education in Canada.