North Korean Law: Reasons for Restricted Travel in North Korea

The East Asian country of North Korea, commonly known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is considered one of the most repressive countries in the world. This authoritarian state, ruled by Kim Jong-un, deprives residents of their fundamental freedoms and enforces strict rules. The country is off limits to the casual tourist and it is also quite unusual to see pictures of it on social media.

Every area of ​​society, from the economy to the political system, is under the control of the government. In addition to all the challenges facing North Korea, it has made some progress in education and health. Human rights are a major concern of the international community.

international calls are crimes

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In North Korea, it is illegal to make an international call or call a foreigner there, so locals are not allowed to do the same. All local SIM cards allow only domestic calls.

no blue jeans

If you can afford jeans, you can wear them, but they must be black; Blue jeans are taboo as it is seen to represent imperialism.

no to foreign music and movies

Foreign music and movies are not allowed in North Korea and both are seen as illegal activities.

no access to wifi

There is virtually no Wi-Fi. You also cannot access “Kwangmyeong” on a mobile device. Chinese tablets produced for North Korea do not include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

no suicide

If one member of the family commits suicide, the whole family can be punished. If someone commits a crime, his whole family will be responsible for it.

the bible is forbidden

The Bible is forbidden because it has the power to transform individuals and is considered a symbol of Western culture.

unique calendar

The Juche calendar is the calendar used in North Korea. It begins with the birth date of his beloved revolutionary, Kim II Sung, which is April 15, 1912.

Can’t sleep while meeting dictator

Falling asleep during a meeting is considered a sign of disloyalty to Kim Jong-un and is punishable by death.

no creative hair cut

If you need a haircut, make sure you choose one of the 28 hairstyles that the government has allowed. All other hairstyles are not permitted in North Korea, thus forcing both men and women to wear one of the 28 approved official haircuts.

no disrespect to the dictator and his family

Every North Korean is required to swear allegiance and duty to Kim Jong-un, his family, and the government to live under their rule. The North Korean government regards any action seen as an insult to the Kim family as anathema and severely punishes offenders. This can be said by both tourists and North Korean immigrants.

not allowed to leave the country

North Korean citizens are prohibited from leaving the country, and border guards will shoot anyone caught trying to do so without proper documentation.

The most severe punishment for those trying to flee or hide from Kim’s dictatorial rule is usually death. Domestic travel is also banned. You need permission to travel to another city or village to meet family.

power cut

Due to ongoing energy problems in the country, North Koreans regularly face power outages. In addition, a permit is required to use electricity, and owning a microwave is forbidden.

compulsory military services

The military is a requirement for all citizens of North Korea. It lasts for ten years for males and seven years for females.

Travel to North Korea should be avoided because of the unstable security situation due to North Korea’s nuclear weapons development program and highly repressive regime.