The outside world calls North Korea a “military society” as

it imposes militaristic totalitarianism on its people. A prime

example of such military structures is the local people’s

neighborhood unit system, which places greater focus on

keeping an eye on the people than on bringing greater

convenience to their everyday lives. With a growing number

of people deserting state institutions after the Arduous March,

Pyongyang has been trying to control North Koreans by

further reinforcing the neighborhood unit system as it now is

harder to control them through their respective workplaces.

The local people’s neighborhood unit system in the North

is comprised of two key elements: the heads of the people’s

neighborhood units and householder units. The former serves

as the watchdog of all residents in a given building; the latter

controls and watches the husbands only.

CHAPTER 1: Life in North Korea

1. Local people’s neighborhood unit system in North Korea

2. North Korea’s unequal structure reflected in the distribution system

3. Rampant class-based discrimination

4. North Koreans - never free to date or drink

5. When will the North Korean subway come “Aboveground”

CHAPTER 2: Social trends

1. North Korea at war against the market

2. “Brave Guys” in North Korea

3. Signs of change driven by the people

4.“Suryng-centeredness” as a religion of North Korea

5. Scientific development breaking through North Korea’s closed-door politics

CHAPTER 3: Power elites

1. License plates as a reflection of authorities’ pecking order

2. Kim Jong-un’s “Physical Contact Politics”

3. Kim Jong-un mimics his father’s “Ratification Politics”

4. Three obstacles facing Kim Jong-un’s succession of power