Samsu
8.2
High score (8-10) · Your profile
Samsu county gives its name to half of one of the most famous Korean phrases for extreme remoteness — 'Samsu Kapsan' — a Joseon-era expression meaning a place so desolate and far away that exile there was effectively a death sentence. The county sits in the deep interior of Ryanggang at high altitude, with a population that has historically survived through subsistence farming and fishing on the reservoir system. There is essentially no foreign tourism here and no infrastructure to support it. The phrase that defined this place for centuries still applies: it's the end of the world in the most literal sense available to a Korean speaker.
Mid score (6-8)
Samsu's historical identity as the Korean archetype for unreachable wilderness hasn't changed much — the county is still extremely remote, high-altitude, and sparsely populated. The Changjin and Pujon reservoir systems are in or near this area, providing hydroelectric power, but the population remains thin. No foreign tourist infrastructure exists here, and the county doesn't appear on any known tour itinerary. It remains, as it was in the Joseon era, genuinely off the map.
Lower score (below 6)
Samsu is the county that gave Korean the word for 'impossibly far away' — and that geographic reality hasn't changed. The county is in the deep mountain interior of Ryanggang Province, with no foreign access, no hotels, and no meaningful social interface with outsiders. The population lives under the same total state control as the rest of North Korea, with the added isolation of extreme geography. Even North Koreans in Pyongyang might regard this as the edge of the known world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the median income in Samsu, Ryanggang?
$2k median
What's the typical marriage age for women in Samsu, Ryanggang?
Women marry at 25
How common is a college degree in Samsu, Ryanggang?
31% men have degree
What's the average male height in Samsu, Ryanggang?
170 cm local avg
What's the average BMI for women in Samsu, Ryanggang?
Local women avg 23.4