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15 Things You Would Not Believed Are Banned In North Korea.
North Korea is one of the most restrictive countries in the world as the government tries to keep its citizen away from western and capitalistic influence. Here are 15 things you would not believe has been banned In North Korea.
We recently reported that the Government authorities of North Korea has banned its citizens from showing any sign of happiness for 11 days in order to commemorate the tenth year death anniversary of their former leader, Kim Jong II.
However, this is not the first time the North Korean government has banned something as frivolous as happiness.
Earlier this year, the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un banned skinny jeans, mullets, and certain body piercings because he felt that the aforementioned fashion pieces were symbols of a “capitalistic lifestyle”.
The communist regime also reportedly banned nose and lip piercings as well as branded T-shirts and Several kinds of hairstyles except the ones allowed by the states
Without any further ado, you should know by now that North Korea is one of the most restrictive countries in the world as the government tries to keep its citizen away from western and capitalistic influence in order to maintain its communist lifestyle.
So here are 15 things you would not believe has been banned In North Korea.
- Coca-cola
- Western clothing
- Hairstyles
- Condoms
- Sanitary Pad
- Property
- Christmas and Religion
- Cable TV
- Foreign Media
- Internet
- Wifi and Bluetooth
- International Calls
- International Travel
- Foreign Movies
- Mother’s Day Messages
- Local currency for tourists
1. Coca Cola
The Government of North Korea has placed a ban and a trade embargo on Coca-cola, making it difficult to get a bottle of Coke in the country
2. Western clothing
As earlier stated the Government authority in Korea has placed a ban on western clothing such as ripped jeans, body piercings e.t.c. In order to enforce this ban, members of the state-run youth organization often act as the nation’s fashion police, stopping people from wearing clothes that look too foreign.
3. Hairstyle.
The government of North Korea banned all kinds of hairstyles except the ones allowed by the state. The communist government allows only 18 haircuts for women and 15 for men and none of the hairstyles allows a change in hair colour.
4. Condoms
The authorities in North Korea prohibits all types of birth control which makes it difficult to get a condom.
5. Sanitary Pad
Aside from condoms and other types of birth control, the communist government also placed a ban on sanitary pads and tampons. The women are allowed to use only the old-school reusable pads when menstruating.
6. Property
It is forbidden for North Korean citizens to privately own property. Instead, the government assigns individuals a place to live for a certain period of time.
7. Christmas and Religion
The country being an atheist country forbids all kinds of religious practices including Christmas. The few available religious sects are heavily monitored by the government.
8. Cable Tv
North Korea has only 4 official TV channels available in the country. Censorship by the government is so strong that it does not allow any other type of television.
9. Foreign Media
Aside from the restriction and censorship of Television by the North Korean government, The Country also forbids all kinds of foreign media.
The government and special agencies control and monitor what is printed in the press and the citizens are not allowed to purchase newspapers They can only read them in subway stations, where they are put on public display.
10. Internet
Citizens and residents of North Korea do not have access to the World Wide Web instead they make use of an intranet called “Kwangmyong.” The intranet is believed to contain about 1,000 to 5,500 websites. International websites are banned on the intranet, and if you are not a high-ranker, you will never be allowed to visit them.
11. Wifi and Bluetooth
Mobile and tablet devices produced for North Koreans do not have wifi and Bluetooth module, as the government does not allow the use of Wi-Fi.
It is also important to note that the country also runs its own local operating system for its devices called “Red Star”
12. International Calls
Although a large percentage of North Koreans have access to mobile phones they are however not allowed to make international calls. There are also restrictions on the usage of the 3G network. Foreigners entering the country may buy a pre-paid SIM card to make calls abroad only.
13. International Travel
North Koreans are not permitted to travel outside their country. Instead, they must content themselves with local attractions,
14. Foreign movies
15. Mother’s Day messages
Although Mother’s Day has been a popular celebration in North Korea since it was introduced in 2012, The citizens however are not allowed to attach personal messages of love to their mothers on Mother’s Day so as not to encroach on the adoration given to former leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il.