The lower classes in North Korea are workers and farmers. “Peasants” might be the more correct term for the latter, since a person working on a collective farm has to surrender their harvest to the state, and only under Kim Jong-un have they been given the right to keep part of their harvests. Despite the restrictions, North Koreans maintain strong community bonds and a rich cultural identity. Traditional music, dance, and art remain important parts of life.
National holidays, such as the birthdays of former leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, are celebrated with large parades, performances, and public gatherings. Life in Pyongyang, the capital, is notably different from the rest of the country. The city is home to the political elite and citizens considered most loyal to the government. Pyongyang has better housing, schools, and access to imported goods, while many rural regions lag behind in infrastructure and development.
