North Korea’s upcoming celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party underscores the stark contrast between the regime’s propaganda and the grim realities faced by its citizens. In a recent speech, Kim Jong Un highlighted the supposed strength and accomplishments of the party, declaring it the “political General Staff” of the nation. Yet, the ideals espoused by Kim gravely miss the mark when compounded with the dismal conditions experienced by the population.
Kim’s address emphasized solidarity and revolutionary duty, drawing on the legacy of his grandfather, Kim Il Sung. He claimed that the party embodies “people-centered socialism,” a philosophy rooted in the failed concept of Juche—self-reliance that has historically proven detrimental. While the regime insists it maintains a steadfast commitment to enhancing the lives of North Koreans, the reality tells a different story.
The economic situation in North Korea is dire. The country has persisted as one of the world’s poorest, with an annual income estimated between just 790 and 900 U.S. dollars. In 2018, around 60 percent of the population reportedly lived in extreme poverty—a statistic that has not significantly improved in recent years. The fundamental mismanagement by the regime has resulted in chronic hunger, malnutrition, and a population unable to meet basic needs.
During the catastrophic famine of the 1990s, which saw millions perish from starvation, the seeds of a long-standing food crisis were sown. Even after several decades, access to adequate nutrition remains elusive. Recent reports indicate that North Korean children fall dangerously behind their South Korean counterparts in height and weight, with preschoolers being notably smaller and lighter. In 1998, children were already 2 to 3 inches shorter and seven pounds lighter than their southern peers, a discrepancy that has lingered in subsequent years.
The oppressive nature of the regime further complicates life in North Korea. According to Freedom House’s 2025 index, the country earned a mere 3 out of 100, highlighting the severe lack of political rights and civil liberties. Citizens endure the crushing weight of totalitarian rule, which employs extensive surveillance and harsh punishments for dissent. Nearly all communication is monitored, forcing citizens to live under constant scrutiny.
Most North Koreans possess government-sanctioned smartphones that are explicitly designed for state control, serving as tools for surveillance rather than for genuine communication. The government curtails access to foreign media and information, labeling any unsanctioned content as “anti-socialist behavior.” The consequence of such actions can lead to imprisonment or severe punishment.
Indoctrination begins early, starting from age seven. Children are compelled into state organizations that maintain the regime’s ideological grip, emphasizing obedience and loyalty from a young age. The broad scope of state control extends into frighteningly oppressive political prison camps, where torture and forced labor are commonplace. Even the ability to travel outside the country is limited, and connections to the outside world are nearly impossible to forge.
The North Korean army operates under grueling conditions, with conscription applying to nearly all men around age 17 for a decade or longer. Women serve shorter terms with limited exemptions. Daily life for soldiers is marked by arduous labor and a lack of resources, where even basic rations often remain scarce, pushing troops to scavenge for food.
Through rhetoric and celebrations, Kim Jong Un attempts to project an image of strength and unity. However, beneath that veneer lies a stark truth: absolute control and an unyielding grip on power come at the expense of the very people the regime claims to serve. The promise of transformation into a “miraculous workers’ utopia” rings hollow in light of the crushing poverty and despair that permeate daily life for many North Koreans.
Kim’s vows to continue the path laid by his forefathers confuse ambition with delusion, proposing promised advancements while offering no genuine solutions to longstanding issues. The reality remains that, for North Koreans trapped in this perpetual cycle of oppression, their futures continue to be defined by a totalitarian regime unwilling to change course.
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