In a purportedly egalitarian society like North Korea, classes or hierarchy outside of the Paektusan lineage should technically not exist. But there is a clear dissonance between this idea and the expectations placed on women to use honorifics and speech registers.
In this episode of the NK News Podcast, Dr. Ross King examines feminism and gender norms in the DPRK, including how North Korean women are “supposed” to speak, the way they communicate with North Korean men, and the roles they hold as mothers and educators.
Dr. Ross King is a Professor of Korean and Head of the Department of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia.
For your viewing pleasure, we’ve also attached some of the cartoons referenced in the podcast:

About the podcast: The “North Korea News Podcast” is a weekly podcast hosted exclusively by NK News, covering all things DPRK: from news to extended interview with leading experts and analysts in the field and insight from our very own journalists.
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