【North Korea Reading List】5 Must-Read Books to Understand the Power and People of This Mysterious Nation
North Korea's regime is closed off and shrouded in mystery, yet through reading and documentary writing, we can draw closer to its reality. This article handpicks five books spanning a defector-diplomat's memoir, official North Korean writings on leadership, economists' analyses, social observations, and firsthand travel accounts—offering readers multiple perspectives on this nation often labelled "the North Korea of Central Asia." If you're eager to glimpse North Korea's present reality and future, start with these five books and lift the veil of mystery surrounding it.
North Korea has always struck the world as elusive and enigmatic. In a nation so tightly sealed off from the outside, how can one truly grasp the workings of its regime and the lives of its people? We've selected five significant works on North Korea—from a high-ranking defector's firsthand account of how power operates at the core, to North Korea's own official publication on Kim Jong-il's leadership philosophy, to perspectives from scholars, journalists, and travellers depicting the country's social realities and future trajectory. Through reading, we gain a fuller, more three-dimensional understanding of this mysterious nation's true face.
The author, Thae Yong-ho, was North Korea's former deputy ambassador to the UK, hailing from a privileged class and the highest-ranking diplomat to defect during the Kim Jong-un era. In 2016, he resolutely brought his family to defect to South Korea, giving up a stable life in exchange for "freedom and dignity."
The book details his experiences within North Korea's diplomatic system—for instance, when a barbershop near the UK embassy used a portrait of Kim Jong-un for advertising, he was ordered to "stage a confrontation" as a warning; though the incident became an international joke, it was hailed within North Korea as a model of "defending the leader's dignity." He further exposes the various secret orders issued from Kim Jong-un's secretariat—the "Third Floor Secretary's Office"—and deciphers the codes used within. He also mentions North Korea's dispatch of female "Pleasure Squads" to entertain foreign ambassadors, and even reveals the Kim family's style of conduct and internal workings, offering readers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of power.
Published in North Korea under the pen name "Cho Baek-seong, a South Korean," this book blends political propaganda with the language of leadership studies, offering lavish praise for Kim Jong-il. For example: "Every achievement made by the North under the wise leadership of General Kim Jong-il is a brilliant crystallization of putting people first and human-centered ideology."
The book examines Kim Jong-il's leadership philosophy from political, economic, life-outlook, and moral perspectives, making it a classic example of North Korea's efforts to sanctify its leader's status. The publisher notes: "The author hopes this book will help introduce General Kim Jong-il to the world," revealing its diplomatic and propagandistic intent. If you'd like to get a copy, besides trying your luck on online marketplaces, you may also be able to find it locally in North Korea.
The author, Rüdiger Frank, is an economist born in East Germany who once studied at Kim Il Sung University. The book not only analyzes the North Korean regime but also draws extensive comparisons with the Soviet Union and East Germany to explore North Korea's development trajectory and institutional changes.
He uses the Rason Special Economic Zone as a specific example, noting that despite being earmarked for key development, it has never lived up to expectations, and argues that China's role will be crucial to Rason's future. Frank also offers a detailed analysis of the massive "Arirang" mass games performance, calling it a concrete manifestation of "placing the faceless individual beneath the only thing deemed valuable — the collective," profoundly exposing the essence of North Korean ideology.
This book is co-authored by two writers who, through extensive interviews and research, portray the authentic details of life in North Korea. Drawing on conversations with Pyongyang elites, defectors, NGOs, diplomats and cross-border traders, as well as cross-referencing multilingual sources, the book reveals many observations that defy stereotypes.
For instance, phenomena such as North Koreans being obsessed with Korean dramas, using Chinese yuan, and embracing mobile technology show that even under an authoritarian regime, they still have their own forms of entertainment and choice. Combined with our own experiences visiting North Korea, much of the book's content and observations ring true, making it well worth a close read.
Authors Chen Chengjun and Zhang Zhenhua, who frequently travel in and out of North Korea for work, document extensive first-hand experiences and genuine conversations in this book, setting it apart from typical travel guides. They reveal everyday rules in North Korea — for example, leaders' names must never be abbreviated (Kim Il Sung University cannot be shortened to "KIS"), nor can any negative words follow their names, as this would be considered disrespectful.
They also verify numerous outside rumours one by one — such as "North Korean astronauts landed on the sun" or "Kim Jong-un invented the hamburger" — and the responses they got from North Koreans are truly amusing. The book also introduces North Korea's emerging class of "money masters" (donju), an important resource for understanding the social changes taking place in the country today.
While we can never fully understand North Korea, books allow us to glimpse the logic of the regime, the mindset of its people, and the cracks within its society. If you long to experience North Korean society first-hand, DeWonder's [North Korea In-Depth Tour] gives you the chance to interact with locals, visit students and families, ride the Pyongyang metro, and walk the streets — experiencing a reality that seems frozen in time yet is quietly changing.
DeWonder's North Korea In-Depth Tour departs year-round with exclusive itineraries, available as a group tour or a customised independent trip — learn more about North Korea here.
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