1. True believers of the Juche idea are more likely to get postings abroad, and brainwashing from childhood is remarkably effective, 2. The lack of regimented l

1. True believers of the Juche idea are more likely to get postings abroad, and brainwashing from childhood is remarkably effective, 2. The lack of regimented lifestyle and strictly formalized social interactions can make the outside world as frightening to some North Koreans as living in North Korea would be to us, [1] 3. You must return with enormous amounts of hard currency to pay bribes to everyone involved in sending you abroad, so you're kind of constantly hustling, and probably too focused on those daily practical necessities to think about radically changing your life, [1] 4. Some spies do defect, the real defection rate probably isn't publicized by anyone on either side. [2] [1] These themes are hit upon in some of the "inside NK" lit, I especially liked "A Year in Pyongyang." A bit dated, but NK nonfiction holds up well with age, and it's all free online: http://www.aidanfc.net/a_year_in_pyongyang_1.html http://www.aidanfc.net/a_year_in_pyongyang_1.html [2] Former NK spy: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/08/29/former-north-korean-spys-memoir-details-enemization-training-conducted-by-abducted-south-koreans/ http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/08/29/former-north-korean-sp...