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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Welcome to the North Korea network | Welcome to the North Korea network |
| (4 months later) | |
| The world’s fascination with North Korea is in inverse proportion to what we know about this so-called “hermit kingdom”. | The world’s fascination with North Korea is in inverse proportion to what we know about this so-called “hermit kingdom”. |
| Propaganda portrays a brave and glorious nation, once ravaged by American aggression, still defending itself against hostile forces under the devoted care of the Kim family. Kim Jong-un, the youthful inheritor of this personality cult, is portrayed hugging children, greeting troops and opening ambitious construction projects. | Propaganda portrays a brave and glorious nation, once ravaged by American aggression, still defending itself against hostile forces under the devoted care of the Kim family. Kim Jong-un, the youthful inheritor of this personality cult, is portrayed hugging children, greeting troops and opening ambitious construction projects. |
| To critics it is at best a Stalinist theme park; at worst, a nuclear pariah and a hell on earth when it comes to human rights. A recent UN report has detailed decades of grave abuses. | To critics it is at best a Stalinist theme park; at worst, a nuclear pariah and a hell on earth when it comes to human rights. A recent UN report has detailed decades of grave abuses. |
| Its population is half that of South Korea; its economy a fraction the size. Yet it is a persistent headache for the world’s most powerful nations. It has detonated three nuclear devices, with a fourth test expected soon; yet it cannot feed its people adequately. | Its population is half that of South Korea; its economy a fraction the size. Yet it is a persistent headache for the world’s most powerful nations. It has detonated three nuclear devices, with a fourth test expected soon; yet it cannot feed its people adequately. |
| Because information is so tightly controlled, vast swaths of life in North Korea remain a mystery. Statistics are scant and unreliable. Much of what we know about the Kim family comes from the reminiscences of a personal sushi chef. | Because information is so tightly controlled, vast swaths of life in North Korea remain a mystery. Statistics are scant and unreliable. Much of what we know about the Kim family comes from the reminiscences of a personal sushi chef. |
| Yet it is an increasingly porous place. As the noose gradually loosens, we are learning more about its society, economy and culture than ever before. | Yet it is an increasingly porous place. As the noose gradually loosens, we are learning more about its society, economy and culture than ever before. |
| To help separate the facts from the fabrications, the Guardian has teamed up with a selection of North Korea experts to establish a network dedicated to covering this secretive place. | To help separate the facts from the fabrications, the Guardian has teamed up with a selection of North Korea experts to establish a network dedicated to covering this secretive place. |
| Meet our partners | Meet our partners |
| Our partners offer unique reporting and analysis about the state of the country, from both inside and out. We are collaborating with Daily NK, whose reporters are North Korean citizens, defectors, South Korean democracy activists and international researchers; and NK News, a specialist site focused on news, data and opinion. There’s Sino-NK, which publishes articles from academics specialising in North Korea’s relations with its border countries; North Korea Leadership Watch, which looks at politics and the people at the heart of the Kim regime. North Korea Tech is dedicated to reporting on IT and internet coverage across the country (yes, it does exist). North Korea: Witness to transformation is a blog supported by the Peterson Institute analysing economic, political and social change. The Conversation features the writing of academic experts and Choson Exchange is an organisation working inside North Korea to educate young professionals in business, economic policy and law. | |
| We’ll also feature articles from the Guardian’s own correspondents, commission exclusive pieces from regional experts and provide plenty of opportunities for readers to get involved to help us expand coverage of this remarkable nation. By shining a light on one of the world’s least understood regions, the Guardian’s new North Korea network will provide new insights into the lives of the 25 million people who call North Korea home. | We’ll also feature articles from the Guardian’s own correspondents, commission exclusive pieces from regional experts and provide plenty of opportunities for readers to get involved to help us expand coverage of this remarkable nation. By shining a light on one of the world’s least understood regions, the Guardian’s new North Korea network will provide new insights into the lives of the 25 million people who call North Korea home. |
| The mythbuster – submit your burning questions | The mythbuster – submit your burning questions |
| Are all North Korean students forced to get Kim Jong-un’s haircut? Did Pyongyang send drones to spy on Seoul? Was Kim Jong-il really afraid of flying? | Are all North Korean students forced to get Kim Jong-un’s haircut? Did Pyongyang send drones to spy on Seoul? Was Kim Jong-il really afraid of flying? |
| So much is unknown about the Pyongyang regime, and speculation often fills the void. Do you have a myth you’d like us to try and debunk? Or a question you’ve always wanted to ask? Get in touch and let us know. | So much is unknown about the Pyongyang regime, and speculation often fills the void. Do you have a myth you’d like us to try and debunk? Or a question you’ve always wanted to ask? Get in touch and let us know. |
| You can also follow the Guardian North Korea network on Twitter @GuardianNK and keep up-to-date with our partners on Twitter. | You can also follow the Guardian North Korea network on Twitter @GuardianNK and keep up-to-date with our partners on Twitter. |