Lesson 158. Complex Object. Part I.

`Grammar`

`Reading and discussing`

10 Best Jobs in North Korea. What’s it Like To Work in a Communist Utopia?

North Korea: the land of Kim Jong Un, nuclear weapons, military parades, and endless lists of bizzare facts. But have you ever considered what do people do everyday? In other words, what are people’s jobs in North Korea?

Here is a list of what seems like the only 10 viable jobs in North Korea.

1. Military

Military Parades happen regularly to celebrate the country’s various holidays.

If you join the army, you’ll have one of the most highly regarded jobs in North Korea. It’s estimated the government spends around 30% of the country’s budget on military despite its ongoing difficulties to fund healthcare or rural development.

You’ll have a chance to become part of the largest military in the world, with 7.7 million servicemen and servicewomen. There are 47.8 active duty military members for every 1000 citizens, which is ten times higher than the US.

Beware, you’ll have to undergo a demanding training, which is mandatory for all men and women in North Korea. Every man has to serve a ten-year term when he turns 18 years old.

These are some of the military jobs in North Korea:

Cyber Warfare specialist. Your job would include hacking South Korean banks, governmental organizations as well as the president’s office.
Member of the submarine fleet, serving on one of the 75 submarines (the US has only 70 submarines).
Missile launch officer. Be ready to deal with Kim Jong Un’s temper tantrums.
Special forces. You would take part in activities such as digging tunnels to South Korea.

A military parade in the country’s capital Pyongyang, showing off weapon technology.

2. Traffic security officers

More than 300 women direct traffic in the streets of Pyongyang.

One of the most coveted jobs in North Korea involves working as a human traffic light in the streets of Pyongyang.

If you want to become one of Pyongyang’s 300 “traffic ladies”, officially known as traffic security officers, you’ll have to meet the following requirements:

Single,
Under 26 years old,
Attractive looks,
Undergo demanding training where you’ll master elegant moves and improve your endurance.

Job description:

Direct traffic with the use of orange halters and a whistle,
Act in place of traffic lights,
Represent the nation’s capital,
Pose for tourist photos,
Collaborate with a team of 400 male colleagues stationed at roundabouts.

The legendary North Korean traffic lady wearing the winter version of the well-known blue uniform.

3. Farmer

As a farmer in North Korea, you’ll have access to limited number of machinery. Most of the work is done by hand.

If you’re not a fan of busy city life, get a job in the rural parts of North Korea and enjoy the misery of staying outdoors all day.

The monthly income is $1-$2 a month. However, you’ll be able to enjoy the recently introduced benefit of keeping a share of your crops before handing over the majority of it to the state.

Your tasks will include:

Feeding the hungry nation,
Giving a substantial share of your crops to the state,
Tending to cows, pigs, and goats,

4. Music teacher

Unofficial sources say, there’s at least 1.2 accordions per capita in North Korea.

As a music teacher, you’ll never lack work in North Korea, especially when it comes to accordions.

During the 1990s, all teachers had to learn the accordion. Many say this requirement remains to this day.

Accordions are often called “the people’s instrument”.

Keep in mind that as a music teacher you’d be required to make your students truly master their instrument. For a reference of the students’ abilities, here’s a video of North Korean children mastering the guitar. Creepy or cute?