North Korea is as much a fan of plastic surgery as South Korea and the United States, with rumors swirling on the Korean peninsula that even despot Kim has gone under the knife.

A new book detailing the eye-opening experiences of North Korean defectors sheds light on the unusual and unexpected aspect of life in Kim’s kingdom.

Defector Kim Yoo-Sung confirmed North Koreans get plastic surgery just like those outside the borders of the world’s most secretive nation, largely to “improve their appearance” – including Kim.