First, let's talk about height, a factor that is very easy to observe, especially when comparing South Korean soldiers and soldiers of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. A person's height is influenced by the following factors. The most significant factor is genetics, followed by nutrition, then sleep, exercise, the environment, health, and finally habits and mentality.
Speaking of height, the average height of South Korean men is 175.5 cm and women is 162.5 cm. South Korea has seen strong development in economy, healthcare, and nutrition, which has helped improve the height of its people over generations. If we look at South Koreans in Vietnam, we can also see that they are tall, no different from Westerners. In contrast, the average height of North Korean men is estimated to be around 165 cm, while women are about 154 cm, which is about 10 cm shorter than North Korean men and nearly 10 cm shorter than women.
This difference is due to poor nutrition and lack of healthcare conditions in North Korea, leading to a smaller stature compared to South Koreans.
The fact that the same ethnicity has such different heights and appearances between South Koreans and North Koreans is quite an interesting story, and it is not only related to genetics but also involves historical and social factors, especially nutrition. This has not emerged overnight but is a long story that has lasted for decades.
After the Korean Peninsula was divided, it took two completely different paths; while South Korea in the south developed strongly thanks to aid from the West and had good trade relations with developed countries, North Korea pursued a self-reliant path and faced many economic difficulties. Although it still received absolute support from the Soviet Union and later from China. We need to understand that South Korea in the 1950s was not wealthy at all. However, over time, thanks to reform policies and international aid, especially from the United States, South Korea's economy has developed remarkably.
In contrast, North Korea has suffered from chronic food shortages, especially in the 1990s with what is called the Great Famine, and the exact figures remain a source of much controversy. This not only affected temporary health but had a profound impact on the physical development of an entire generation of North Koreans.
In South Korea, from the 1960s onwards, thanks to stability and industrial development, they gradually improved their healthcare and education systems, leading to a better quality of life.
Modern healthcare services help reduce malnutrition and disease, people receive vaccinations and regular health check-ups, and have access to sufficient food and clean water. This is an important factor that helps improve the height of South Koreans across generations. We can also reflect on Vietnam in the 80s, 90s, 2000s, and then from 2010 onwards, everything is very different.
In contrast, North Korea has long been isolated from the outside world and faces many difficulties in providing basic healthcare services for its people, essential health resources are scarce, and medicines are insufficient, compounded by prolonged food shortages. This has directly affected the physical development of North Koreans, making it difficult for them to grow tall.
And we are talking about nutrition, which is the most important factor explaining why South Koreans and North Koreans, despite being the same ethnicity, have such distinct physical differences.
South Korea's developed economy is characterized by a rich and balanced culinary culture. Simply put, families with means have access to protein-rich foods, meat, fish, eggs, and dairy, if not overly abundant. These foods provide enough energy and nutrients for children to grow taller. Meanwhile, North Korea, with its struggling economy, has a diet that mainly consists of grains, low in protein, and lacking the necessary vegetables and proteins for physical development. Meals are very simple, primarily consisting of white rice or corn and sweet potatoes. Of course, without sufficient nutrition, it is hard to grow.
Additionally, a small but important factor is milk. Milk and dairy products are very popular in South Korea, and children drink milk daily. This helps improve their height and health, and their bones, while milk is not a common item in North Korea, where it is said to be a luxury item that few can afford. Over generations, height has continuously differed; if we go back to the period before the Korean Peninsula was divided, the average height of people in the North and South was roughly equivalent, and the difference was almost non-existent. But since the two regions have developed along two different paths, the gap has become more pronounced.
In the 1950s, both countries were poor, and there was no significant difference in height between the people of the two regions, but after the war, differences began to emerge. Especially from the 1990s onwards, South Korea can be considered a country with very good conditions, and the quality of life has improved, leading them to gradually surpass North Korea on the height ranking. Besides affecting appearance, the difference in height also somewhat reflects the quality of life and the level of the two countries.
Height is not just a simple physical measurement; it is also an indicator of overall health, nutrition, and living conditions.
In South Korea, the height of the younger generation is not only improving but is also approaching the average height of developed countries in the US and Europe, while in North Korea, although there are not many accurate statistics, malnutrition remains a significant issue, and this may prolong the disparity in appearance between the two regions. Not only height but also physical appearance and fashion styles are very different.
Speaking of fashion, South Korea must be at the top in Asia; young South Koreans follow the latest fashion trends and also create trends from K-pop to Katebrama, all of which strongly influence their fashion sense. Young people often wear stylish outfits, from trendy street styles to elegant and luxurious dresses. Their clothes are not just for wearing but also a way to express their individuality, and there is no shortage of famous fashion brands in their wardrobes. Although not everyone is wealthy, everyone is willing to spend money; looking good is a top priority in South Korea, and they always know how to take care of themselves, with clothes, bags, shoes, and cosmetic surgery being common to achieve a perfect appearance.
In contrast, in North Korea, fashion is something that almost does not exist and is a very basic concept. Similar to Vietnam in the past, the people here do not follow trends and there is no concept of wearing branded clothes; clothing is usually simple and unadorned, and there are even strict regulations regarding styles. Men often wear dark suits and white shirts in a business style but not too flashy, while women usually wear traditional dresses or modest clothing that is not ostentatious. They do not have the habit of frequently changing styles, and few dare to take risks with bold fashion like in South Korea. Even haircuts are controlled, with men and women required to adhere to certain hairstyles.
When mentioning South Korea, one cannot overlook the cosmetic surgery and beauty industry. This is a country where surgery is as common as buying a box of milk, from double eyelid surgery to nose lifts and V-line chin shaping, all can be found in South Korea. South Koreans are very concerned about their appearance, and the beauty industry here is thriving to achieve smooth white skin, big eyes, and high noses. This is a goal that many South Koreans, especially the youth, set for themselves, so they step out onto the streets as if they have just come out of a cosmetic photocopy machine. Korean cosmetics are also globally famous, and celebrities further set standards for beauty, making beauty care a craze in South Korea.
In North Korea, the concept of beauty is almost very different; cosmetic surgery is virtually non-existent, and body care is not emphasized much. The North Korean government encourages citizens to dress simply and modestly, and beautification is seen as a luxurious and unnecessary act. It is as if there were regulations on the width of men's trousers in Vietnam in the past; North Korean women, even if they pay attention to their appearance, usually only stop at a basic level, without the elaborate care seen in South Korea. The standards of beauty in North Korea tend to lean towards natural, traditional, and modest.
In summary, the differences in height, appearance, and fashion styles between South Korea and North Korea are not only due to economic factors but also the result of different regulations and cultural and social factors. South Koreans live in a modern, dynamic society that tends to care for appearance and always updates fashion trends, while North Koreans are restricted by strict regulations, difficult economic conditions, and a simple lifestyle. Despite being the same ethnicity, just after a few decades of separation, the styles, appearances, and heights of South Koreans and North Koreans have diverged as if they were in two different worlds.