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!
Summer Camp
Both countries understand the need for kids to get out into the fresh air and interact with kids their own age. The only difference is in the execution of these summer camps. North Korean summer camps are very structured and exclusive. The child that goes to a summer camp in South Korea finds a fun-filled and ethnically diverse gathering of kids. They learn and grow but in a slightly less formal manner.
Just Need to Grab a Few Things
The grocery store is another area where the two countries differ, as well. This is not only in the layout and organization of the stores themselves, but also in how the people dress to go to the store. You can see that both are well organized, but the store in the South seems a little more structured. Then, when you look at the difference between the attire of the two dads, you can see that the South Korean dad is a little fancier than the one in the North.
Transportation – Buses
Getting from place to place is important to any economy. However, in North Korea, taking a bus from city to city, at least in the rural parts of the country, looks dangerous and vastly different than transportation in South Korea. In South Korea, there are larger, more modern buses. These buses have safety features and look like they may get you to your destination just a little faster.
Art
Art takes on a new meaning when it is basically state-ran. Even fine art in North Korea is monitored and censored. Many artists have taken to including the “Great Leader” in their paintings. In South Korea, though, the art scene is vast and ranges from fine art to modern and everything in between. With their freedom of expression, many artists show their love and reverence for their country and life, in general.
Personal Transportation
In North Korea, cars are expensive things to own, so many people choose to ride bikes. This is great for the environment and less expensive to maintain. Often, you will see large groups like this riding up and down the streets. With all the modern trappings comes a need to get from place to place fast, and that means more cars and buses. This is a typical street in South Korea. What a difference!
Age Is Just a Number
Have you ever met someone and thought they were older than they are? This might happen if you met this college student from North Korea. In comparison to his South Korean counterpart, he definitely looks a lot older. Whether this is because of the uniform or simply because of their different ways of life is hard to tell, but when looking at these two 20-something students, there is a clear difference. From the haircut to the clothes to the facial expression, you would never guess they were the same age.
Museum Guides
Like tour guides on the street, the ones located in the museum of each country have a lot of differences between them. In North Korea, they are told what they can say, and they must dress in a traditional, conservative manner. The South Korean museum guides can be a little more laid back, and though they have to cover the same things as the others, they can change up how they express it.
