This unique book provides a comprehensive overview of all aspects of life in North Korea today. Drawing on decades of insider knowledge and experience, noted experts Ralph Hassig and Kongdan Oh explore a world few outsiders can imagine. In vivid detail, the authors describe how the secretive and authoritarian government of Kim Jong-il shapes every aspect of its citizens' lives, how the command socialist economy has utterly failed, and how ordinary individuals struggle to survive through small-scale capitalism. North Koreans remain hungry and oppressed, yet the outside world is slowly filtering in, and the book concludes by urging the United States to flood North Korea with information so that its people can make decisions based on truth rather than their dictator's ubiquitous propaganda.

Chapter 1 The illusion of unity : despite appearances, North Koreans are not all of one mind, united around their leader Chapter 2 The life of the leader : given the opportunity, dictators dictate Chapter 3 The economic system : command socialism does not work Chapter 4 The economy of everyday life : most people find a way to make a living Chapter 5 The information environment : propaganda is everywhere, but other news is creeping in Chapter 6 Hidden thoughts : reality and ideology are in conflict Chapter 7 The law, political class, and human rights : the law is made to protect the leader, and only he enjoys full human rights Chapter 8 Defectors : sometimes running away is the best option Chapter 9 The end comes slowly : for all its problems, the Kim regime appears to be stable.