songbun

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Korean 성분(成分) (seongbun).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈsɒŋbuːn/

Noun

songbun (uncountable)

  1. A system of ascribed status in North Korea, based on one's political, social, and economic background and the behaviour of relatives.
    • 2015, Hyeonseo Lee, The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story:
      And to cap it all, both his family and hers had good songbun, which made their position in society secure. Songbun is a caste system that operates in North Korea.

Translations
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