North Korean (DPRK) literacy rate higher than South Korean. [View All]

[Enraged American]

http://www.asiavacationguide.com/SouthKorea_Culture.html
http://www.asiavacationguide.com/NorthKorea_Culture.html

The life expectancy in the north isn't that bad either.

I also checked out the World Book Encyclopedia entry about the two Koreas. In South Korea education is mandatory through grade 5 or 6. After that parents must PAY for ALL further education INCLUDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Whereas in North Korea ALL PUBLIC EDUCATION IS FREE, and there is mandatory education for 11 years starting with one year of pre school. North Korea also has a large university (it has roughly as many universities as South Korea) and technical school system provided by the state.

I'm just reporting the facts here.

I don't doubt that there is no freedom of speech, press, or enterprise/consumption there; and I never have. Don't turn this thread into a rant about that.