Rare photos from inside North Korea depict the everyday lives of children here, rarely revealed to the world, according to NK News.
There is a popular slogan in North Korea: “Children are the masters of the country.”
Thus, North Korea places great importance on educating children from preschool age, particularly emphasizing teaching students about the country’s spirit of self-reliance and revolutionary traditions, including the struggles against Japanese and Western forces by their ancestors. This helps students foster love and pride for their country.
Notably, at school, North Korean students also learn English, and proficiency in English will provide better job opportunities for them in the future.
Below are a series of photos introduced by NK News showcasing the rarely seen lives of North Korean children as they study and play.
A girl is taken by her mother to visit the Grand Monument on Mansudae Hill, Pyongyang.
Children in the North Korean Children’s Union lay flowers at the statues of former North Korean leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang.
Colorful murals at kindergartens and elementary schools throughout North Korea.
Two North Korean girls in school uniforms, wearing cute backpacks on the streets of Pyongyang.
Preschool students exercising at a school in Kaesong, North Korea. Before classes, North Korean students often practice exercises to enhance their physical fitness.
Students exercising to accordion music in the morning and singing at a school in Hamhung.
Children dancing and singing at a school near Nampo.
Students at an elementary school on the outskirts of Pyongyang. All classrooms feature portraits of former North Korean leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. Students here sit on hard wooden chairs but with a thin cushion.
Chongjin Steel Plant Kindergarten in Chongjin. Many North Korean children attend schools located next to or near the factories where their parents work.
A classroom at Chongsan-ri Cooperative. North Korean preschool and elementary school textbooks are colorful and rich in images.
A boy wearing the red scarf typical of the North Korean Children’s Union and the badge “Always Ready.”
An English textbook in a language class at Chonsam-ri Cooperative Farm. Foreign language learning is highly emphasized in North Korea, as proficiency in a foreign language can help individuals secure good jobs and the ability to work abroad.
Two female students practicing speaking foreign languages at a school near Mangyongdae district in Pyongyang.
A group of outstanding female students participating in the Songdowon International Children’s Camp in Wonsan.
Schools in North Korea always prioritize extracurricular activities, such as outdoor events in Pyongyang to celebrate International Children’s Day on June 1 each year. On this day, children have no school and have the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities.
Boys playing soccer at a school in Pyongsong.
Three female students enjoying an outdoor meal at a park in Pyongyang. Their lunchboxes include fried fish and rice.
