POV: You live in North Korea during the 1980s [AI] North Korea in the 1980s was a tightly controlled, isolated socialist state under the absolute rule of Kim Il-sung. The country projected an image of discipline, unity, and self-reliance (Juche ideology) while internally operating under intense surveillance and propaganda. Despite its secrecy, North Korea was not yet in total crisis. It maintained relative stability and its capital, Pyongyang, showcased monumental architecture, wide boulevards, and well-maintained public spaces — all intended to impress both its own citizens and visiting dignitaries. Daily life for the average person was modest and heavily monitored. Most people lived in uniform concrete housing, wore state-issued clothing, and worked in government-assigned jobs. Food and goods were rationed, and access to media was strictly limited to state broadcasts that glorified the regime. Children attended schools where loyalty to the leader was part of the curriculum. Public art, murals, and slogans reinforced the idea of national unity under Kim Il-sung’s leadership. Military parades, mass performances, and choreographed events were frequent — serving both as morale-boosters and instruments of control. While the elite in Pyongyang enjoyed better conditions, rural areas remained poor, with limited infrastructure and access to services. Yet, the full collapse and famine that would hit in the 1990s had not yet arrived.
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