North Korea: Yesterday and Today

Summary

Andrei Lankov's book «North Korea: Yesterday and Today» is a profound exploration of a mysterious nation where past and present intertwine in a complex tapestry of human destinies and political paradoxes. Drawing on deep knowledge and personal experience, the author guides the reader along the winding paths of Korean history: from the tragedy of a divided peninsula and the rise of a totalitarian regime to everyday life behind closed borders. With particular sensitivity, Lankov reveals the mechanisms of power, ideological dogmas, and internal contradictions of North Korean society, allowing us to see the real faces, fears, and hopes of people behind the official slogans. The book not only sheds light on the phenomenon of the DPRK but also helps us understand why this country remains an enigma to the world.