Tomatoes, which are completely red to the core, are considered worthy Communists; apples, which are red only on the surface, are considered to need ideological improvement; and grapes are completely hopeless.

Songbun (Chosŏn'gŭl: 성분;MR: sŏngbun), formally chulsin-songbun (Chosŏn'gŭl: 출신성분;MR: chulsin sŏngbun, from Sino-Korean 出身, "origin" and 成分 ,"constituent") is the system of ascribed status used in North Korea. Based on political, social, and economic background for direct ancestors as well as behavior by relatives, songbun is used to determine whether an individual is trusted with responsibility, is given opportunities within North Korea, or even receives adequate food. Songbun affects access to educational and employment opportunities and particularly whether a person is eligible to join North Korea's ruling party, the Workers' Party of Korea. Jucheists and others with friendlier views on the DPRK reject reports and multimedia attempting to prove its existence, saying that they are from bourgeois sources and individuals not accurately representing the country.