DPRK Class System
One huge problem in North Korean society is their version of the caste or class system. Instead of simply having upper, middle and lower classes like the UK they have as many as 51 different ratings within society called songbun.
If you commit a crime but belong to one of the higher songbun your punishment will be fairly mild, should you be of a lower level you and possibly your entire family will be punished severely. Your Songbun is decided pretty much at birth. If your grandfather was a Buddhist or your grandmother was Japanese or a POW for instance, you would be automatically in the lower echelons. On the other hand, if your relatives were military or officials you would be blessed from birth with an easier life.
Unless you are in the upper songbun you aren’t even allowed to visit your country’s capital. It’s very difficult to move up the tree but terrifyingly easy to move down it…
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