In the Land of Kim: Two Years in North Korea

In the Land of Kim is a rare and quietly powerful memoir that invites readers inside North Korea — not through the lens of politics or headlines, but through the daily life of an expat woman and her young son.

From 2012 to 2014, Greek author and humanitarian aid worker Fragkiska Megaloudi lived in Pyongyang, observing a side of the country few outsiders ever experience. Through simple, reflective prose, she reveals the human rhythms of life behind the borders: bicycle rides through silent streets, playgrounds full of laughter, ration cards, and quiet resilience.

But this is more than a personal story. Alongside intimate moments and quiet observations, the book also offers clear, accessible explanations of the North Korean system — how it functions, how people adapt to it, and how it has evolved. Woven into the narrative are reflections that extend through 2018, providing insight into the forces that continue to shape the country today.

For readers drawn to memoir, travel writing, expat experiences, or untold stories from closed societies, In the Land of Kim is a unique and moving account that challenges assumptions and lingers long after the final page.