11 bizarre things you probably didn't know about North Korea

3. The world's largest stadium is in North Korea's capital, Pyongyang - it can seat 150,000

Matt Payton
Tuesday 29 December 2015 18:08 GMT
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North Korean soldiers march on Kim Il-Sung square during a military parade marking the 60th anniversary of the Korean war armistice in Pyongyang
North Korean soldiers march on Kim Il-Sung square during a military parade marking the 60th anniversary of the Korean war armistice in Pyongyang

As one of the last totalitarian regimes, North Korea is the focus of many rumours and speculations.

It is difficult to confirm many things about the secretive country but when facts do emerge, they tend to be incredible.

Quora users have shared their favourite facts about North Korea: from titbits from Kim Jong Il's official biography, to what instruments teachers are ordered to play.

Here are just a few of our favourites:

1. North Korea has the largest military in the world (including active, reserved and paramilitary) with 7.7 million servicemen and women. The US has an estimated 1.5 million active military personnel.

2. Marijuana in North Korea is not illegal and can be bought at markets.

3. The world's largest stadium is in North Korea's capital, Pyongyang - it can seat 150,000.

Light show in North Korea

4. North Korea bases its calendar on Kim Il Sung's date of birth: 15 April 1912. The year is 103, not 2015.

5. During the 1990s, all teachers were required to learn the accordion.

6. Due to a lack of fertiliser, North Korea was forced to use human faeces as manure on crops.

7. According to his official biography, Kim Jong Il allegedly learnt to walk aged 3 weeks.

8. North Korea has three television channels - two of which are only available at weekends while the other can only be watched in the evening.

9. Elections take place every five years but only have one option.

10. Blue Denim Jeans are illegal in North Korea as denim represents capitalist America.

11. North Korean women have 28 sanctioned hair cut designs, men have only 10.

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