It's not that straightforward. The reality of which society people prefer is clear - North Korean defectors risk their lives to reach South Korea, while the reverse simply doesn't happen. As for suicide statistics, there are several issues here. First, North Korean statistics are notoriously unreliable. Second, South Korea's higher reported rates stem from complex factors: intense social pressure, rapid modernization, elderly poverty, and cultural attitudes toward mental health. In less developed countries, suicides often go unreported due to stigma, poor record-keeping, or classification as accidents. Plus, access to mental healthcare and willingness to discuss mental health openly - which are good things - can actually lead to higher reported rates. So comparing raw suicide statistics between such different societies doesn't really tell us much about quality of life or which society is superior.

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Your premise if false. Defectors run off because they don't know what the conditions are like and have bought into propaganda. Many who leave end up regretting it once they realize what they got themselves into. An example here https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqjre1zpz5ko

Incidentally, this was the case with the dissolution of USSR as well where many people expected their lives to improve with introduction of capitalism. They were quickly disabused of these delusions once they got to experience the system first hand.

[–] Comtief@lemm.ee -1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Nice cherry pick, thousands have defected but one wanted to go back and suddenly they're being misinformed. I'm from a ex-soviet union country myself and I'm talking from experience that you are full of crap. All this other stuff also seems cherry-picked. Anyway I see I'm wasting my breath on a tankie. Seems like this community here is a bit bonkers.