Pyongyang, North Korea

Capital City

Forget the propaganda - living in Pyongyang means navigating heavy bureaucracy, harsh winters, and an omnipresent police state. With a population of 3,255,288, the city is dominated by the ruling Workers' Party, with 99% of residents being members or dependents. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the Ministry of Social Security alone employs 130,000 people. Winters are bitterly cold, with temperatures often below freezing from November to March. And the city's safety is ensured through an extensive network of security agencies, including the 30,000-strong Ministry of State Security. Pyongyang may look modern on the surface, but this tightly-controlled capital is only for the most dedicated believers in North Korea's regime.