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My name is Zhang Ming, I am 35 years old this year, and I am an ordinary office worker. After working for more than 10 years, I decided to take advantage of my annual leave to travel to North Korea to see the true face of this mysterious country. North Korea has always been a curious place, and I am full of conjectures about the country, and I hope to see first-hand how far this society has developed in a world that is alien to the rest of the world.
Embarking on this trip to North Korea, my heart was full of anticipation and nervousness. As a Chinese who has never set foot in North Korea, I am full of longing and doubts about this mysterious neighbor. I feel fortunate to be able to get to know North Korea first-hand and to see first-hand how far this society has developed that is alien to the rest of the world. I can't wait to see the country as it really is, to feel the living conditions of the people there, and to have in-depth exchanges with them, trying to find the inner logic of the country's development path.
Finally, after a 10-hour flight, I arrived at Pyongyang airport. As soon as I got off the plane, I was blown away by what I saw. The wide airport lobby, neat and orderly navigation signs, and staff in neat uniforms give a sense of order. I was immediately greeted by a North Korean tour guide who gave me some basic information about the area in fluent English. I am your tour guide, Lee Eun-young, and I am glad to serve you. She held my hand warmly, and I will do my best to make sure you have fun during your time in North Korea and have a deeper understanding of our country. Thank you very much, and I look forward to experiencing the unique charm of North Korea firsthand. I answered sincerely.
Guide Li smiled and led me to the parking lot, which was full of brand new cars and buses. I can't help but sigh that it seems that North Korea's infrastructure construction is still good. Yes, we have been continuously strengthening our infrastructure to meet the growing needs of our people. Tour Guide Li proudly said that our public transportation system is very developed, and the highway and rail network between various cities is extensive.
Along the way, while enjoying the scenery outside the window, I talked with Tour Guide Li from time to time. The streets of Pyongyang are lined with high-rise buildings, and the neat and wide roads are full of vehicles. I've observed that most of the cars on the road are small cars, which seem to have become commonplace. Tour guide Li told me that in recent years, the DPRK has been vigorously developing the automobile industry and encouraging the general public to buy and use cars, which has undoubtedly greatly improved people's travel conditions.
We quickly drove into the center of Pyongyang, and I was blown away by what I saw. The city has a sense of order and life. The wide, straight streets are lined with neat and beautiful high-rise buildings, revealing a modern atmosphere everywhere. I noticed that there were many pedestrians on the road, mostly dressed neatly and modestly, and walking in an orderly manner.
Seeing that I was looking out the window intently, Tour Guide Li smiled and said, "This is what Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, looks like." We not only pay attention to urban planning and construction, but also attach great importance to people's daily life. See, there are green belts and rest benches on both sides of the street, where people walk, chat, and spend a leisurely afternoon.
I nodded, amazed by the vibrancy of the city. I couldn't help but ask: Tour guide Li, you just mentioned that the DPRK attaches great importance to the people's livelihood, so what is their living standard? I have seen reports in China that always say that the DPRK people live in poverty, but is this really the case?
I listened carefully to the words of Tour Guide Lee, and my impression of North Korea began to have a new understanding in my heart. I can feel your pride and confidence in your country. So, apart from urban construction, how is North Korea developing in other areas? For example, economic construction and scientific and technological development?
Tour Guide Li nodded with satisfaction: , you asked a very good question. The DPRK has also made great progress in economic construction and scientific and technological innovation. In recent years, we have attached great importance to the development of advanced manufacturing industry, continuously optimized the industrial structure, and made remarkable achievements. For example, our automobile industry and electronic information industry have become the pillar industries of the national economy, creating a large number of employment opportunities for the people.
Speaking of this, Guide Li's eyes revealed pride and confidence. She went on to say, "The poverty you mentioned earlier is just a thing of the past. At present, the living standards of the North Korean people are improving day by day, and most people have achieved a moderately prosperous life. We not only strive to develop the economy, but also attach great importance to improving people's livelihood and ensuring their basic living needs. You see, the shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues that line the streets are the result of our unremitting efforts to create a happy life for the people.
I listened to Tour Guide Lee's detailed account of the DPRK's development achievements, and I couldn't help but feel admiration in my heart. It seems that my original perception of North Korea is indeed skewed. Far from being a poor and backward country, the country is steadily advancing its modernization drive and striving to create a prosperous and healthy living environment for its people.
Just then, our car drove into a spacious and tidy industrial park. The neatly standing factories on both sides exude a vigorous vitality. Tour Guide Li said: This is a key industrial park in our DPRK, which mainly produces automobiles and electronic products. We not only pay attention to improving people's living standards, but also attach great importance to the development of advanced manufacturing industry and enhance the country's comprehensive strength.
Tour Guide Li readily agreed: No problem, I will take you to visit this car factory now. You will surely be amazed at the enthusiasm and seriousness of the work of the North Korean workers.
With that, our car drove into the factory gate, and I couldn't wait to get a glimpse of what North Korea's industrial development was really like.
Our car was safely parked in front of the gate of the car factory. Tour guide Li took me into the factory, and I was deeply attracted by the scene in front of me.
The whole factory area is in good order, and various slogans are posted everywhere, such as the prosperity and strength of the motherland through the improvement of productivity, and labor is happiness. I noticed that each worker was wearing uniform work clothes and looked focused and serious. The production machines that can be seen everywhere emit a rhythmic roar, and the workers operate in tacit cooperation.
Tour guide Li enthusiastically introduced: This is one of the most advanced automobile factories in North Korea. As one of the country's industrial pillar industries, high-quality automotive products are produced here every day to meet the growing needs of the people. We not only attach importance to technological innovation, but also pay great attention to improving the professional quality and enthusiasm of workers.
I looked closely at everything in front of me and couldn't help but feel admiration in my heart. The workers here look so serious and focused, and the working environment is so neat and orderly. I noticed that your workers here seem to be very enthusiastic and in good working condition. This is not quite the same as my previous impression of North Korean workers. Are they all so highly proactive?
Guide Li nodded and said in a proud tone: , You have observed very accurately. The reason why we, the workers of the DPRK, are able to work so hard and dedicate ourselves to the socialist system is that they have a firm belief in and enthusiasm for the socialist system. Our workers are not only motivated by personal gain, but also by the noble ideal of striving for the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the people. This strong sense of collectivism is precisely the fundamental driving force for the continuous advancement of the socialist cause in our country.
Hearing Tour Guide Li's explanation, I couldn't help but feel inspired. It's refreshing, it's very different from what I knew before. I always thought that North Korean workers lived in poverty and lacked motivation to work. But now it seems that not only has their standard of living improved a lot, but they are also so proactive in their work attitude, which really impresses me.
I couldn't help but ask further: "Tour guide Li, you just said that the reason why the DPRK workers work so hard is because of their firm belief in the cause of socialism. So, what is their living conditions and treatment? I have heard that the wages of North Korean workers are generally very low, and their living standards are relatively poor.
Tour Guide Li smiled slightly: , you asked a very good question. I understand your previous doubts about the living conditions of workers in our country. But it's not that simple. We have always adhered to the people-centered development concept and continuously improved the living conditions of workers.
After a pause, she continued: Now, the average wage level of mainland workers has increased significantly, which is enough to meet their basic living needs. At the same time, we also provide workers with housing, medical care, education and other welfare guarantees to ensure that they enjoy a stable and healthy life. The workers are happy with their living conditions, not as poor as you think.
I listened carefully to the explanation of Tour Guide Li, and my inner perception of North Korea made a new breakthrough. It turns out that the country has not only achieved excellent results in infrastructure construction and industrial development, but has also always attached great importance to improving the living standards of the people. This concept of development that puts the interests of the people first has really changed my previous prejudice against North Korea.
Just when I was still immersed in my new understanding of the DPRK, Tour Guide Li suddenly said: The problems you just mentioned are indeed some misunderstandings that are common in the outside world. The mainland government and people have been making unremitting efforts to achieve a moderately prosperous society in all respects and have made remarkable achievements. However, it is true that our development path is different from that of Western countries, which has also led some people to have a biased perception.
She paused, her eyes fixed on the workers working in the distance. I could feel the pride and worry in her eyes.
I want to be honest with you that although we in the DPRK have made tremendous progress, we still face a lot of challenges. Our political system and economic model are very different from those of Western countries, which makes our development path subject to many doubts and pressures from the outside world. Sometimes, I feel that the road ahead is not always easy.
I patiently listened to what Guide Li had to say, and I couldn't help but feel a little worried in my heart. It seems that even though the DPRK has made remarkable achievements, its development path is still full of hardships and challenges. I began to wonder what was holding back the country's further development, and was it really the differences in the political system that led to misunderstandings and doubts from the outside world?
After listening to Tour Guide Li's story, I felt very heavy in my heart. Although the DPRK has made remarkable development achievements, it still seems that it still faces many challenges and difficulties.
I cautiously asked: Tour Guide Li, since you said that the development path of the DPRK is different from that of Western countries, what are the aspects of this difference? Is it a difference in the political system or other factors?
Tour Guide Li sighed and replied in a calm tone: , You asked a very good question. I want to tell you the truth, there are indeed some unique institutional differences between our North Korea, which are also the source of misunderstanding from the outside world.
Guide Li paused, and his vision became a little gloomy: I tell you frankly, although we have made great achievements, the road to development has not been smooth sailing. We are often sanctioned and suppressed by some Western countries, which has brought many obstacles to our development. What is even more heart-wrenching is that sometimes we also have some problems of our own, such as inefficient resource allocation and lagging infrastructure construction, which have become stumbling blocks on our way forward.
I listened carefully to the sincere confession of Tour Guide Li, and I couldn't help but feel heavy in my heart. It turns out that North Korea's development has not been easy, and the country has been dealing with various challenges from within and outside.
I know you must be confused and worried about our predicament. But be assured that we will never give up our efforts. We will certainly continue to advance the cause of socialism, seek happiness for the people, and make unremitting efforts for the prosperity and strength of the country. Although we are facing many difficulties, as long as we stick to the right path, I believe that one day, we will be able to create a better tomorrow.
Hearing the words of Guide Li full of determination, I felt a warm current in my heart. Although the difficulties and challenges facing the DPRK cannot be ignored, they still adhere to their own development path and make unremitting efforts for the happiness of the people. This adherence to ideals makes me feel admired.
At this moment, I suddenly noticed that behind a factory building in the distance, some dilapidated buildings loomed into the background. The contrast between the buildings and the new, clean surroundings made me wonder.
Tour Guide Li, you just mentioned that the DPRK is seeking happiness for the people, so what is the matter with those dilapidated houses? Is there still a side of poverty and backwardness here?
Hearing my question, Guide Li's face changed instantly. She paused and replied in a more cautious tone: "There are indeed some problems with the houses you just noticed. These are actually old residential areas that we have been gradually renovating and upgrading. However, due to various objective conditions, this work has not progressed smoothly. Our Government is making every effort to solve these problems and hopes to improve the living environment of the broad masses of the people as soon as possible.
Hearing Tour Guide Li's explanation, I couldn't help but feel a little skeptical. Although she tried to hide something, I could clearly feel a hint of nervousness and unnaturalness in her tone. It seems that the DPRK has not been as smooth sailing as it appears to be in improving the lives of its people.