34 Rules of north koria that will shock you.
1. Prohibition of unauthorized foreign media:
North Koreans are prohibitively disallowed from viewing or hearing foreign movies, TV programs, music, or reading non-state-approved books. For instance, having a South Korean drama DVD in one’s possession can result in imprisonment or hard labor. Secretly listening to foreign radio is also punishable.
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2. Criminalization of unauthorized international communication:
Foreign calls or messages made without the authorization of the government are prohibited. For example, when a citizen contacts a foreigner without authorization, they can be accused of spying or treason and be imprisoned or executed.
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3. Access to the internet being restricted:
The general public does not have access to the international internet. Instead, they browse an internal intranet known as “Kwangmyong” filled with only approved content from the government. For instance, North Koreans can’t Google or even view sites such as Facebook or YouTube.
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4. Compulsory loyalty and respect for leadership
Citizens have to openly exhibit devotion to Kim Jong-un and his clan, including bowing to leader photographs in the home and attending staged praise sessions. Lack of appropriate deference can be interpreted as dissent.
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5. Ban on criticism of leadership
Any criticism of the ruling family or administration is a political offense. For instance, criticizing Kim Jong-un negatively can lead to arrest, interrogation, and potential execution.
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6. Propaganda and state-controlled education
State-controlled education and propaganda Schools learn highly indoctrinated subjects with emphasis on the Kim dynasty’s superiority and the Juche ideology. History, science, and literature are all taught with the objective of glorifying the state and not allowing critical thinking.
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7. Severe punishment for foreign currency or products ownership
Carrying or using foreign money (like US dollars or South Korean won) is illegal without authorization. If caught, individuals can be arrested, fined, or sent to labor camps. For example, owning foreign luxury items is seen as suspicious wealth and punished.
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8. Travel restrictions and internal passports
North Koreans are not free to travel abroad. Even domestic travel is often subject to restriction and internal passports. To take an example, a citizen seeking to move from a rural sector to Pyongyang needs government clearance, which is not usually given.
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9. Exit ban and harsh punishment for defectors
It is treason to attempt to exit North Korea without authorization. Defectors apprehended or their relatives may be jailed or killed. Families of defectors are subjected to collective punishment, such as forced reassignment.
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10. Collective punishment
If someone is charged with a crime against the state, their whole family will be punished—jailed, sent to camp, or socially ostracized. For instance, if someone is jailed for listening to foreign radio, their family members will also lose employment and suffer discrimination.
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11. Strict dress and appearance codes
Western clothing, like jeans or some hairstyles, is prohibited as “decadent.” For instance, men who wear long hair or women who have colored hair could be accused of copying South Korean culture and be punished.
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12. Tight control over religion
Independent religious activities are prohibited. There are only state-approved rituals, usually created to benefit the regime. Holding unapproved religious meetings or having religious materials can result in imprisonment.
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13. No independent civil society or free press
NGOs, independent unions, and free media do not exist. All news outlets are state-controlled, serving propaganda purposes. Citizens have no legal means to form independent organizations.
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14. Public surveillance and reporting requirements
Neighbours and colleagues are required to inform about any suspicious or “anti-state” activities. For instance, if a person overhears criticism of the regime at a private discussion, they might inform the authorities in order to escape suspicion themselves.
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15. Severe limitations on private life and speech
Private gatherings and conversations are surveilled. Criticism of the government even in the privacy of one’s home may result in arrest if reported.
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16. Compulsory attendance at mass events
Citizens are obliged to visit political rallies, jubilees, and staged performances, such as mass gymnastics competitions. Nonparticipation or lack of interest is interpreted as disloyalty.
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17. Limits on contact with foreigners
Contact with foreigners is strictly regulated and frequently prohibited unless under supervision. Illegal contact leads to arrest or suspicion of spying.
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18. Supervised workplaces and quotas
Workplaces are subject to rigid production quotas and ideological performance evaluations. Anyone falling behind quotas or failing to show adequate ideological devotion can be punished or demoted.
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19. Arbitrary detention without fair trial
Individuals may be held in detention without trial, subjected to coerced confessions, or tried in hidden courts. Due process does not really exist.
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20. Wide use of political prison camps
Political prisoners are taken to work camps where they face forced work, hunger, torture, and harsh conditions. Many camps have as many as thousands of detainees who are kept indefinitely.
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21. Restricted medical independence
There is politicization of healthcare; availability and quality vary based on political standing and region. For instance, elites are treated better, while rural dwellers experience shortages and deplorable conditions.
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22. Food allocation based on political allegiance
Food rations are also allocated according to political allegiance, with favored families doing better. In periods of famine, many have starved simply because they were lower down in the political scale.
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23. Limitation on foreign travel for scholars and artists
Cultural and scholarly exchanges with foreign nations are extremely limited and kept under close surveillance. Travel abroad is seldom allowed and tightly regulated.
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24. Prohibitions on some cultural products and fashion
Western music, movie, and fashion are outlawed. Listening to K-pop or dressing Western, for instance, can result in arrest.
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25. Ban on foreign religious material
Bibles, religious material, and other outside material from non-North Korean sources are prohibited and carrying them can lead to imprisonment or death.
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26. Censorship of art and literature
Everything that is created must fit into state propaganda and be about the praise of the regime. Independent art is forbidden.
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27. Punishment for not displaying leader portraits properly
Leaders’ portraits should be displayed by the citizens in their respective homes with respect. Any misuse, destruction, or neglect of leader portraits can result in arrest or punishment.
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28. Restrictions on private entrepreneurship
Private entrepreneurship in small-scale businesses or market activities is forbidden or closely supervised. Private trade is considered antithetical to socialist values unless approved by the government.
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29. Compulsory political education for all ages
Citizens undergo frequent ideological training at schools, workplaces, and communities to strengthen loyalty and obedience.
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30. Constraints on pregnancy and family choices linked to state policy
Family planning and reproductive decisions are shaped or dictated to support state objectives. Women are subject to pressure or punishment regarding childbearing.
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31. Harsh punishment for drug or alcohol violations linked to political conduct
Substance-related charges can be used to punish dissidents or impose control.
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32. Restrictions on research areas and academic freedom
Some areas are taboo for research or debate, particularly those challenging the regime or ideology.
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33. Restrictions on literature, film, and art even among elites
Even among elites, there are restrictions; political disloyalty perceived can result in purges or privilege loss.
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34. Excessive methods of enforcement reported
Public executions, summary punishment, and overly harsh punishments for relatively minor perceived disloyalty serve to frighten. For instance, individuals have been executed publicly for owning prohibited media or trying to defect.
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Would you like me to delve deeper into any specific rule or give historical background or survivor accounts pertaining to these?
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