If North and South Korea ever reunite, the two cultures will need some time to gel together, as their ways of life and culture are very different. Check out these 40 images that show just how different the two countries truly are.
Fun in the Sun
In those hot days of summer, there are few things better than hitting a waterpark with your friends and family. Typically, North Korea is a little more traditional and conservative, while South Korea looks very Western in the way they suit up for the park.
Skyline
There are a lot of differences between North and South Korea, even when you look at the skyline of both the country’s capitals. The top is from Pyongyang, and though there is a tall skyscraper-like building, they are nowhere near as modern as the city of Seoul. On top of that, you can see the pollution very clearly in the North Korean capital, which is odd, as there are fewer cars!
Airlines/Airport
There is only one airline in North Korea, and it is rated as one of the worst airlines in the world. On the flip side, South Korea has a multitude of carriers, plus those of other countries, as well. Another difference is that there are very few flights into North Korea, whereas South Korea has a wide range of flight options. This is because of its place in the world economy and its efforts to improve tourism.
Lifeguards
Both countries make their lifeguards dress in a uniform. The difference comes out in both functionality and formality. The North Korean lifeguard pictured here looks more like a flight attendant than someone who is going to jump in the water and save you. The South Korean lifeguard is a little more properly dressed for the task at hand. Plus, he is wearing some sort of first aid kit. Both are probably skilled; one just looks more ready, that’s all.
School Uniforms
We all know that one of the most iconic things in most Asian countries are its school uniforms. Here, you can see the difference between North and South Korea very easily. The North Korean uniform looks more traditional and is just as cute as the South Korean option. The South Korean uniform looks more like a Westernized private school design. The other big difference is that the girl in the top image is fresh-faced, while it looks like the one below her is wearing a little makeup.
College Students
Once again, we take a look at the differences between students, but this time, we have moved up to college. College is important in both cultures, but as you can see, the dress code and style are just a bit different. The North Koran student is a little more formal and conservative. The South Korean student seems to be dressed more in a trendy style, as well as a little more casual.
Monuments
The culture and outlook on history are different, and that means that their ideas of monuments will also differ. In North Korea, it is run by a dictator who wants to commemorate his and his family’s excellence. In South Korea, it is more about remembering than idolizing. You can see the stark difference between these two examples. The North Korean monument is a place to come and almost worship in reverence, and the South Korean war monument is something to help commemorate a tragic event.
Small Towns
Life in the capitals is different, but there are still a few similarities, we are sure. However, when you get into the more rural parts of the two countries, the difference becomes very evident. Take a look at these two small cities. The top is clearly a rural city that has old buildings that look as if they need a little work. On the other side of that coin is the South Korean city, which looks like it is outside of the modern city but still a little rural.
Tour Guides
Tourism in North Korea is limited, but South Korea is booming. Because of this, as well as the political atmosphere, the tour guides dress differently and are allowed to share different things with those they take around. In this image, you can see that the South Korean guide is a little more informal and looks like she may use a word or two of slang. The North Korean guide, on the other hand, looks like she may ask you to drop and give her twenty.
Government Buildings
North Korea is a communist nation, and along with that comes a need to promote and plaster propaganda all over the place, including on the front of government buildings. This gives the building a unique look and one very different from the South Korean counterpart. In the south, the government buildings look more modern and often blend in with the rest of the buildings surrounding them, so there is a big difference!
