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The Rise of North Korean Women

In North Korea, an interesting shift is happening, mainly due to the growth of markets known as Jangmadang: Women are finding themselves in a position to earn money and support their families more than ever before, changing the traditional family dynamic.

In the past, men were mostly in charge of earning money for the family while being involved in either military stuff or societal organizations. This left women with less societal control, pushing them to find ways to provide for their families, and the expanding market scene gave them just the chance to do that.

Here's another cool fact: in North Korea, most people must work in units serving the state, receiving small salaries. But here’s the catch: married women are not included in this rule. This means they can work freely in the markets, earning more than their husbands and shaking up traditional husband-wife roles in society. So, in many families, women are now the main earners, which gives them a more powerful role at home.

It’s not just about money, but about choice too. Men are starting to value potential partners who are financially stable and can bring in money through business skills in the Jangmadang.

Even with these changes, moms are still the ones mainly taking care of the kids, even if dads are out of work. It’s a tough job balancing home life and work life, but North Korean women are managing to change their families' lives for the better, one day at a time. It's a silent revolution happening in the homes of North Korea.