Unbelievable North Korean Laws That Will Leave You Stunned

ByAgkidzone Staff

Updated: Nov 22, 2024

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North Korea's laws are so strict and bizarre that they can make anyone thankful to live elsewhere. The harsh rules are designed with one primary goal, complete control of the population through fear and isolation. The Kim dynasty has held onto power for generations by following this chilling playbook, and, surprisingly, it works.

State-Approved Hairstyles Only

One of the more jaw-dropping rules in North Korea is that there are only 28 approved hairstyles, 10 for men and 18 for women. These hairdos seem to be lifted straight from the 1950s. The government controls even the smallest details of personal life, including how people style their hair. Men have to keep their hair under five centimeters, but older men get a tiny allowance of an extra two centimeters. For women, being married means having short hair, while single women can sport a bit more length. And Kim Jong Un’s signature haircut is the only one in the whole country allowed to have it.

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Triplets Become State Property

In a policy that defies logic, the government takes triplets away from their parents and raises them for four years. The state gifts the parents items such as a silver knife for boys or a ring for girls as compensation. No one really knows why this practice exists, but many believe it is tied to North Korea’s low birth rate. The state wants to give these rare sets of siblings special treatment.

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Restricted Internet Access

Freely browsing the web in North Korea is a dream for most. Only an exclusive group, including political leaders, their families, and top students, can access the global internet. The rest of the country is restricted to using a domestic-only network called Kwangmyong. Even the military's cyber-warfare department is part of the tiny elite allowed full internet access. For everyone else, the outside world might as well be on another planet.

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The Fashion Police Are Real

The rules on what people can wear are strict, and they are enforced with a watchful eye. Pyongyang has government workers patrolling the streets to make sure no one is wearing anything that seems too foreign. Clothing with Roman letters is not allowed, and neither are blue jeans, wide-legged trousers, or overly revealing outfits. The state makes sure fashion choices align with its idea of cultural integrity.

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Government-Controlled TV Only

If you love flipping through TV channels, North Korea would be a shock. The country has only four TV channels, all heavily controlled by the government. Korean Central Television is the primary channel, where announcers deliver state-approved news with intense enthusiasm. The other channels are two educational stations and one for sports. Every broadcast is carefully curated to ensure the public only sees what aligns with the government's narrative.

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No Smiling on Kim Il-sung’s Death Anniversary

Though Kim Il-sung passed away in 1994, his death anniversary remains a somber, state-enforced day of mourning on July 8th each year. North Koreans must display public grief, which means no smiling or talking loudly. Those who do not show enough sorrow risk being sent to labor camps. On the other hand, Kim Il-sung’s birthday in April is a day of celebration. Even keeping a speck of dust on his portrait, which all citizens must display in their homes, could lead to severe consequences. Special dusters are even issued to ensure compliance.

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Punishment for Your Entire Family

North Korea enforces a brutal three-generation rule. If someone commits a crime, their entire family can be punished, extending to the next two generations. When one person is convicted and sent to a labor camp, their children, parents, and even future grandchildren are also condemned to the same fate. This policy keeps citizens in a state of constant fear and ensures that crime is kept at a minimum.

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Permission Required to Live in Pyongyang

Pyongyang is not just any city; it is North Korea’s showcase to the world. Living there requires government approval, and residents are typically members of the elite—wealthy citizens, loyal government supporters, or those connected to the Kim family. This could explain why the residents of Pyongyang seemed particularly devastated by the death of Kim Jong-il, while the rest of the country appeared more indifferent.

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No Rest on Sundays

In most parts of the world, Sunday is a day of rest and relaxation. In North Korea, Sunday is a day of collective labor. People are required to engage in manual labor, often without modern tools. Tasks like digging, cleaning, and watering are performed by hand, and some residents even scrub pavements and trim bushes with kitchen scissors.

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Honeymoons Are Not Allowed

In most places, newlyweds look forward to honeymoons as a time to unwind and celebrate their marriage. This is not the case in North Korea. After the wedding, newly married couples must go directly to pay their respects at the statue of Kim Il-sung. Weddings cannot take place on the birthdays of former leaders, and honeymoons are out of the question. To top it off, newlyweds must return to work the day after their ceremony.

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