If you look at satellite photographs of the Far East by night, you'll see a large splotch curiously lacking in light. This area of darkness is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Barbara Demick areacuriouslydarkness Change image and share on social
The Uighurs are a Turkic people more closely related to Uzbeks and Kazakhs than to Chinese. Barbara Demick chinesecloselykazakh Change image and share on social
The East Turkestan Islamic Movement, named for an old Uighur name for Xinjiang, is a shadowy group that operates largely out of Afghanistan and Pakistan and is devoted to expelling the Chinese Communist Party from northwestern China. Barbara Demick afghanistanchinachinese share on social
In 1984, George Orwell wrote of a world where the only colour to be found was in the propaganda posters. Such is the case in North Korea. Images of Kim Il-sung are depicted in vivid colours. Rays of yellow and orange emanate from his face: he is the sun. Barbara Demick casecolourdepict share on social
A South Korean teenager, 18-year-old male, is about five inches taller than his North Korean counterpart. And there are many soldiers who are only about 4'6". The height requirement is supposed to be 4'9". That's the size of my 12-year-old son. Barbara Demick 4'64'9counterpart share on social
In 1995, the Chinese government picked a 6-year-old child to succeed the Panchen Lama, the second highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism. Barbara Demick buddhismchildchinese Change image and share on social
I agree with Kathi Zellweger that sanctions mostly punish the ordinary people who live at the edge of starvation. Barbara Demick agreeedgekathi Change image and share on social
By the mid-1990s, nearly everything in North Korea was worn out, broken, malfunctioning. The country had seen better days. Barbara Demick 1990sbreakcountry Change image and share on social
The North Korean landscape is strikingly beautiful in places. It could be said to resemble America's Pacific Northwest - but substantially drained of color. Barbara Demick americabeautifulcolor Change image and share on social
In 1949, Mao Tse-tung's Communists established the People's Republic of China, and the following year, his People's Liberation Army invaded central Tibet. Barbara Demick armycentralchina Change image and share on social