The Global Restaurant Chain Run by North Korea

Summary

This video explores the curious world of Pyongyang Restaurants, a network of North Korean-run establishments across Asia. These upscale eateries serve North Korean cuisine, feature performances by waitresses, and are used as tools for cultural diplomacy and foreign currency generation. Despite being illegal due to UN sanctions, the restaurants remain operational due to their ability to attract foreign customers and generate revenue. The video sheds light on the unsettling reality behind the dining experience, highlighting the political and economic motives behind these establishments, while balancing humor with an insightful commentary on North Korea's global presence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pyongyang Restaurants are a chain of over 130 upscale dining locations across Asia, promoting North Korean culture and cuisine.
• 😀 The restaurants offer traditional North Korean dishes like Pyongyang cold noodles and Taedonggang beer, while also serving as cultural diplomacy tools.
• 😀 North Korea uses these restaurants to portray an image of prosperity and normalcy, contrasting the country's brutal regime and global isolation.
• 😀 Despite being illegal under international sanctions, Pyongyang Restaurants continue to operate because of the quality of their food, particularly their famous kimchi.
• 😀 The waitresses at Pyongyang Restaurants are hand-selected for their loyalty to the regime and trained in various artistic performances.
• 😀 Employees are required to live above the restaurant and are not allowed to freely roam the city, creating a highly controlled and oppressive work environment.
• 😀 In 2016, 13 waitresses escaped from a Beijing location, defecting to avoid returning to North Korea, where the consequences for defection are severe.
• 😀 The restaurants play a significant role in North Korea's attempt to earn foreign currency, primarily through cash transactions in US dollars and Chinese yuan.
• 😀 Despite having its own currency, the North Korean won is largely ineffective, and the country relies on foreign currencies for trade and economic transactions.
• 😀 The main purpose of the restaurants is to generate revenue for the North Korean government, with a fixed sum of $10,000-$30,000 required to be sent back to North Korea monthly from each location.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of Pyongyang Restaurants according to the video?

Pyongyang Restaurants serve two main purposes: cultural diplomacy and generating foreign currency for North Korea. They are intended to show a positive image of North Korean culture while also providing a source of income through foreign patrons.

Why does the video describe North Korean waitresses as being carefully selected?

The waitresses at Pyongyang Restaurants are hand-picked by the North Korean government, screened for loyalty through three generations of family history, and selected based on their beauty, height, and artistic abilities. They perform on stage as part of the cultural presentation.

How does the North Korean government ensure Pyongyang Restaurants generate foreign currency?

Each Pyongyang Restaurant is operated by a middleman who must send a fixed amount of foreign currency (between $10,000-$30,000) back to North Korea every month. If the middleman fails to meet this quota, the government shuts down the restaurant.

What is the significance of the foreign currency used in Pyongyang Restaurants?

The North Korean won is unstable and largely useless internationally. As a result, the North Korean government and businesses rely on foreign currencies like the Chinese yuan and U.S. dollars for transactions and revenue.

Why does the video humorously compare North Korean restaurants with global chains like Tim Hortons and KFC?

The video draws a humorous comparison to show how national characteristics are reflected through their food culture. Just as Tim Hortons represents Canadian sweetness, Nando’s showcases South African spice, and KFC highlights American ingenuity, Pyongyang Restaurants aim to present a version of North Korean culture that seems normal and prosperous despite the oppressive political context.

What does the video say about the food at Pyongyang Restaurants?

The food at Pyongyang Restaurants is described as upscale Korean cuisine with a few North Korean-specific dishes, such as Pyongyang cold noodles and Taedonggang beer. The food is depicted as good, with an emphasis on kimchi, though it’s humorously overshadowed by the oppressive atmosphere surrounding the restaurant.

What role does cultural diplomacy play in the establishment of Pyongyang Restaurants?

Cultural diplomacy is a key reason for the establishment of these restaurants. They are designed to present a positive image of North Korea by offering a welcoming atmosphere, good food, and entertainment, aiming to convince foreigners that North Korea is a normal, prosperous place.

How does North Korea's economic situation impact the operation of these restaurants?

North Korea faces extensive international sanctions, limiting its trade and access to foreign currency. As a result, the country relies on Pyongyang Restaurants as a key source of income. The restaurants cater to foreign tourists and generate the hard currency the government desperately needs.

What happened in 2016 concerning Pyongyang Restaurants in Beijing?

In 2016, 13 waitresses from a Pyongyang Restaurant in Beijing escaped and defected. This event highlights the restrictive conditions faced by the restaurant staff, who live above the restaurant and are not allowed to freely roam the city.

What is the role of Curiosity Stream and Nebula in the video?

Curiosity Stream is promoted as a platform offering educational content related to science, technology, and history. The video also mentions Nebula, a platform founded by educational creators for ad-free content and original series, with a subscription bundle offer.