during the korean war, 75% of north korean's air battles were actually fought by russian pilots. this was kept secret by russia, korea, and the american government to avoid war with russia.

later, the american supported the taliban in its war against russia in afghanistan, eventually driving the russians out and leaving behind a taliban trained and armed by the american government.

president nixon once ordered a nuclear strike on north korea while drunk.

the 105-story ryugyong hotel in north korea is the world’s tallest unoccupied building. it is nicknamed the hotel of doom.

an average south korean is 3 inches taller than an average north korean, primarily due to better nutrition.

just like in patrick mcgoohan's 'the prisoner', everyone in north korea is issued a government radio that they are forbidden to turn off.

coca cola is not officially sold in cuba or north korea.

if you live in north korea, you get to choose between 1 of 28 government-approved haircuts. as opposed to the half-dozen or so that you see around here.