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North Korea is one of the most secretive, mysterious countries on earth. Beyond the typical headlines, its history and culture are peppered with bizarre, surprising, or even ridiculous tales, full of material worthy of a spy novel or dystopian fiction. From covert operations to peculiar culinary experiments, here are five mind-blowing facts about North Korea.
1. The Secret Tunnels Beneath the DMZ
North Korea has made repeated attempts to dig tunnels under the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating it from South Korea. These tunnels were intended to enable a surprise attack on the South. So far, four have been discovered, and experts believe there are more still hidden. South Korea has turned three of these tunnels into tourist attractions, offering visitors a chilling glimpse into the tensions of the Korean Peninsula. These tunnels aren’t just narrow passageways; some are wide enough to transport entire battalions. The scale of the effort highlights the extent of North Korea’s militaristic ambitions and the high-stakes chess game between the two nations.
2. Pizza: A Luxury Food for the Elite
For most North Koreans, pizza is an unattainable luxury. During the 1990s, Kim Jong Il developed a fascination with Italian cuisine and decided to bring pizza to his country. He went so far as to hire Italian chefs to train local cooks in the art of pizza-making. But this wasn’t about creating a nationwide love for pizza—it was reserved for the elite. Ordinary citizens couldn’t dream of affording it, as the ingredients and preparation were prohibitively expensive. Pizza’s presence in North Korea is symbolic of the vast divide between the ruling class and the everyday people.
3. An Orthodox Church in an Anti-Christian State
Despite its anti-religious policies, North Korea is home to an Eastern Orthodox Church. Why? Because Kim Jong Il thought it was “cool” after visiting one in Russia. When a Russian diplomat asked Kim if there were Orthodox believers in Pyongyang, Kim assured him they’d be “found.” Of course, none existed at the time. So, North Korea established the Korean Orthodox Committee, which then sent four freshly baptized North Koreans—ironically former intelligence officers—to train as priests in Moscow. The entire operation seems to have been more about international appearances than genuine religious tolerance. Today, the church stands as a peculiar symbol of Kim’s whims, blending politics, image management, and religion in a way only North Korea can.
4. Nixon’s Nuclear Fury
In April 1969, North Korea shot down a U.S. spy plane, killing 31 crew members. This enraged then-President Richard Nixon to the point where he reportedly ordered a tactical nuclear strike on North Korea. The story goes that Nixon, known for his unpredictable temper, told his generals to prepare a list of targets for the attack. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed—Henry Kissinger and military commanders agreed to stall until Nixon sobered up in the morning. By morning, the nuclear plans were quietly shelved. This incident underscores the razor-thin line between war and diplomacy during the Cold War era.
5. The CIA’s Doomed Paratroopers
In one of the most tragic and morally questionable operations of the Cold War, the CIA parachuted hundreds of agents into North Korea during the 1950s. These individuals, tasked with building resistance networks, were often captured or killed shortly after landing. Despite almost no communication from the field and mounting evidence of failure, the CIA persisted with the mission for years. It wasn’t until the 1970s that an internal inquiry questioned the ethics of continuing such operations. This program stands as a haunting example of how Cold War paranoia led to sacrificing lives in a gamble for intelligence. Many of these agents were ordinary Koreans trained in South Korea, making their missions not just high-risk but near-suicidal. Their stories are largely untold, buried in classified documents and the fog of history.
With its weird mix of secrecy, propaganda, and bizarre choices, North Korea is one of the most interesting countries to check out. Each of these facts shows off a different part of its complicated and somewhat unsettling history. Whether it’s hidden tunnels, fancy pizzas, or Cold War spy stuff, North Korea always keeps the world on its toes.