Blue Jeans? Not In My Country!
Even a cautionary glance at North Korea’s laws paints the country as borderline Orwellian. Aside from having to worry about the mood-swings of a dictator and his seemingly never-ending military parades, it turns out that many of the things we take for granted over in the west are held punishable for North Koreans. While some only serve to highlight the ruthlessness of the country’s government, others come across as…just plain bizarre.
#5: Driving a Car (Alone)
This is not a total ban. After all, you can’t expect the members of North Korea’s elite and its state officials to walk, can you? No, there’s traffic in Pyongyang like in most other capital cities around the world. However, can the everyday citizen cruise around in their own little coop? Not on your (or their) life. There are restrictions on where an average citizen can go, as well as on driving alone. Also, cars are expensive, and not something that most of the citizens in North Korea can afford. Fewer than 1 person in 1000 supposedly has a car in North Korea, though some sources cite 1 in 100. Good for traffic congestion, but not great for personal freedom.
#4: Watching Television
Do you like to get home after a long day and kick back – you know Netflix and chill, or maybe some nice South Korean soap operas? Well, that’s too bad. If you’re in North Korea, you can enjoy the State-mandated propaganda … and that’s it. If you can’t take it, well, honestly better not risk it. Transgressions are sometimes met with execution. In the early 21st century, more than 130 have been reportedly publicly executed for watching South Korean programming.
#3: Playing Music
You might be noticing a theme here. Like TV, all music is state approved … and it’s pretty one-note. There is only one theme allowed: all music must glorify the regime. Remember that the next time you think there are too many songs about love or popping bottles in the club. Not only is producing the wrong sort of music illegal, listening to it is as well. Occasionally there is crossover, but mostly western music is considered decadent, and a crime against the state. As such, it is considered treason. Some have alleged that people have been put to death – simply for listening to some beats.
#2: Traveling Abroad
If you can’t make calls to the outside world, you better believe that visiting it is off limits. Hundreds of people try to leave North Korea annually; very few make it. Because the southern border is so heavily guarded, the most common route is to try to head north into China. However, if caught defectors will be reportedly returned for execution. The trip is dangerous and difficult, and those who risk the escape are aware of the possible cost. One of the most famous defectors, Park Yeon-mi, came from a politically connected family. She speaks frequently about her harrowing tale, and has since become an advocate for human rights in North Korea.
#1: Surfing the Web
While there is access to the Internet, most citizens do not have authorization to just surf the net, and the limited world-facing sites are reserved for government officials and some foreigners. In total, there are said to be just over 1000 IP addresses for the entire country. Any citizen who has access to a computer – and not many do, as Sony, Microsoft, and Apple Inc. are not allowed to distribute in North Korea – find themselves on an intranet network known as Kwangmyong, which is almost entirely State run. More mysteriously, very little else is known about the North Korean web.
Be sure to check out the video below to see our picks for the Top 10 Ridiculous Facts About North Korea!
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