Kim Jong-un has made a few changes to North Korea’s pop culture landscape. Illustration: Shutterstock

Harry Potter, Bollywood, hot pants and K-pop: in North Korea, Kim Jong-un’s cultural revolution gathers speed

North Korea has long dismissed Western pop culture as bourgeois and corrupt, but lately it has adopted a more relaxed attitude
Kim-approved changes include grittier TV shows, pop music and even a factory making fancy footwear

Updated: Friday, 15 Feb, 2019 2:30am

Kim Jong-un has made a few changes to North Korea’s pop culture landscape. Illustration: Shutterstock

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North Korea is exploring two alternative energy sources that could greatly improve its standard of living. Photo: AFP

Power-deprived North Korea sets sights on sanctions-proof energy sources

The North’s renewed focus on oil alternatives underscores what some observers believe are two of its long-term best bets.
Pyongyang imports nearly all of its oil and petroleum products from China

Updated: Thursday, 14 Feb, 2019 10:55pm

North Korea is exploring two alternative energy sources that could greatly improve its standard of living. Photo: AFP

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