A Regime Unlike Any Other
Some people might dismiss North Korea as little more than another authoritarian regime. However, they don’t know the darkness hidden within that country. From a morbid dictator to blockbuster-worthy survival stories, very few have managed to escape this labyrinth. But those who have succeeded have revealed the sheer strangeness of the country.
1. International Calls
Since North Korea keeps its citizens under lock and key, they obviously don’t want them communicating with the outside world. This is why it is illegal to make international calls. Before you ask about contacting family members abroad, know that no North Koreans, aside from the royal family, have family living abroad. Most of the country is forbidden from leaving.
Surprising_SnapShots on Pixabay
2. Career Choices
If you’ve ever seen a dystopian film where the career of an individual is decided by society beforehand, then you’ll find that to be a reality in North Korea. Jobs are chosen by the government based on the needs of the population, and those who refuse the job they are given face labor camps.
3. Living Choices
Similarly to your profession, the government also decides where you live. There’s no such thing as working hard and moving up in the world. Instead, depending on your relationships and standing, you’ll be appointed a place to live. Due to this, only a select few are allowed to live in the capital city.
4. Foreign Music
Since North Koreans are forbidden from the internet or access to outside media, it makes sense that it is illegal to listen to foreign music or watch foreign films. In fact, this is a punishable crime that will lead to long imprisonment.
5. Generational Punishments
The idea of punishing an entire family for the crimes of an individual seems far-fetched, but it’s very commonplace in North Korea. For instance, if somebody manages to successfully escape North Korea, they leave with the knowledge that their parents, siblings, children, and even extended in-laws will pay the price in labor camps.
6. Keeping It Stylish
If you struggle with keeping up with the latest hair trends, then you won’t have to worry about that in North Korea. This is because Kim Jong Un released a list of pre-approved hairstyles that are permitted within the country. Still, you have some choice, as there are 10 options for men and 18 for women.
7. Internet Access
The internet isn’t entirely inaccessible, and North Korea has its own version that only a select few people are allowed to access. This version features only 28 websites and is strictly monitored by the government. People with access are limited to military and government officials, as well as politically powerful families and elite school students.
8. Freedom of Religion
North Korea pretends it honors freedom of religion. In reality, most religious texts are forbidden, including books like the Bible. The country is officially atheist, and while there are churches present, they are heavily controlled by the government.
9. Solo Motherhood
Giving birth is a serious, scary, and risky procedure. However, for North Korean mothers, it is an experience they must face entirely alone. When they go into labor, they are not allowed to see their husband or family for a week after giving birth.
10. Disrespecting the Royal Family
This is actually a pretty common rule that you’ll find in most authoritarian regimes. Saying anything bad about Kim Jong Un or the government will result in immediate jail time. In fact, this could happen indirectly too. For instance, one mother did not prioritize saving a portrait of President Kim Il-Sung during a fire, which resulted in jail time.
11. It’s Not Beginning to Look Like Christmas
Since North Korea is pretty strict about religion, it makes sense that even Christmas trees are banned. Getting your hands on one would be difficult enough, but if you do somehow succeed, you’ll find yourself shortly arrested or thrown out of the country if you’re a visitor.
12. In Case of Triplets
To add to the intensity of motherhood in the country, there are a few other things to worry about.
Since birth rates are very low, women who have triplets will have their children taken by the government. Strangely, the government states it will return these children after they have reached the age of four.
13. No Cars
Many of us can’t imagine the commute without a car by our side. But in North Korea, only 1 in 100 people have access to a car, and those people are carefully selected. Typically, only government officials and men are allowed to drive.
14. Tourist Trap
It isn’t recommended to visit North Korea as a tourist, and getting access to the country is a very difficult process. If you do succeed, you’ll be expected to give up all your electronics and be taken on tailored tours followed by a guard. You won’t see the actual country, as some tourists have revealed that the regime has set up fake streets, fake grocery shops, and actors to give visitors a false sense of normalcy.
15. Microwaves Are Illegal
Why stop at banning religious literature when you can ban microwaves outright as well? The reason for this is because of energy shortages, which make access to electricity a prestigious privilege for the select few.
16. All-Inclusive Curriculum
Rather than focus solely on academics, school children in North Korea are given a comprehensive program that includes cleaning and menial labor tasks as well.
Not only do they have to buy their own school furniture, from desks to chairs, but they are also given various tasks from the government.
17. Only One Kim
From where you live to what you do for a living, the North Korean government decided it simply didn’t have enough control over their people’s lives. That’s why they also influence the names people can have. For instance, only the leaders can be named Kim. This means if you had that name, you had to change it—or else.
Cheongwadae / Blue House on Wikimedia
18. Unplugged
If you’re looking to have a tech cleanse, then North Korea will at least make that easy. The majority of televisions, laptops, and iPhones are banned for citizens. Of course, Kim Jong Un and his most trusted advisors have access to all of this and more.
19. Compulsory Military Service
After everything else you’ve read about, compulsory military service doesn’t sound that bad. That being said, men are expected to serve a long ten-year term, while women are stuck with an extensive seven years.
Mark Fahey from Sydney, Australia on Wikimedia
20. A Different Kind of Basketball
On a lighter note, North Korea takes its basketball very seriously and has a few special rules initiated by Kim Jong Il. These rules include different point scores awarded for different dunks.
This is probably due to the fact that the current leader, Kim Jong Un, has a deep love for American basketball.
