North Korea previously didn’t allowed tourism but since 2013, it has been opened for tourists during the winter. which finally revealed some of the horrific laws and rules followed there.
Is it safe to travel to North Korea? Is it a tainted state? Are North Koreans free to leave the country? Many questions have been raised about North Korea and its rules. If you look at it from the outside as a foreigner using social media, it may appear to be the most developed and nearly perfect country, as well as a perfect vacation destination. However, things become clear when you visit the location and are suddenly told to follow certain rules and behave in a certain manner.
I have not personally visited North Korea, and the information presented here is based solely on what I learned from various bloggers who spent time there and learned about it all.
If you want to visit North Korea and see for yourself, here are a few things you should keep in mind during your stay:
· RESPECT THE LEADER: All residents and visitors are required to bow in front of statues of Kim Il Sung because the people of North Korea regard their current and former leaders as Gods and expect you to do the same. Failure to do so may result in you being arrested for violating one of the most important laws, so it is best to always act respectfully around images and statues of North Korean leaders. If you don’t think you’ll be able to follow these rules, or if you don’t want to for whatever reason, you should reconsider visiting North Korea.
· You will be watched 24/7: While tourism in any other country would allow tourists to enjoy themselves and explore every part of the country, North Korea is an exception. You will be assigned a guide who will take you to specific locations. You are not permitted to travel without a guide. You may also be restricted from taking photographs, and you will be prohibited from using public transportation during your stay. From the time you leave your hotel room until you arrive at your destination, you should stick to your group and the guide assigned to you. Any laws that are broken or rules that are not followed on your part may cause problems for you or your guide.
· International Calls: If you come to North Korea and want to contact your family and friends back home, and if you have purchased a local sim card, I’m sorry to tell you that you won’t be able to do so because information is not permitted to move in or out of the country. If a person is caught making an international phone call, he or she may face imprisonment or, in the worst-case scenario, death.
· No Wi-Fi: I know it’s difficult to believe, but people in North Korea do not have access to the internet, which means no Google, social media, or other forms of communication with the outside world. So, keep in mind before visiting North Korea that if you take pictures and want to post them, you won’t be able to do so until you return to your home country.
· Problem with the food: If you stay in North Korea, you will not be able to eat the same foods that are readily available in your home country. North Korea has never been a fan of big brands, especially US brands, so you won’t be able to find beverages like Coca-Cola in stores or any McDonald’s outlet (because it’s a fast-food restaurant).
· Wearing blue jeans is prohibited: As previously stated, everything you do, including what you wear, is being watched and controlled. Blue jeans are not permitted to be worn by locals because they represent world imperialism in North Korea. Tourists, on the other hand, will be permitted to wear them, but they will be prohibited from wearing blue jeans when visiting the Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il memorials.
· Government approved haircuts: It’s as strange as it sounds, and the reason for this law is even stranger. When Kim Jung-Un took power in 2013, he wanted to regulate a particular hairstyle because he was obsessed with his own, which was the fluffy hairdo. So, there were approximately 28 hairstyles chosen by Kim Jung-Un based on his likes and dislikes. These rules did not apply only to men; 10 of the 28 hairstyles were for men, while the rest were for women.
· Controlled Photography: The prohibition on photographing government officials and police officers is self-explanatory, but North Korea prohibits tourists from photographing construction sites in order to present a perfect image of their country internationally.
· Talking to strangers: going to a local shops and speaking to random strangers is not accepted and is also one of the rules that tourists are required to follow.
· Tourist can’t use the local currency: only the locals are allowed over the use of the local currency.
· No freedom of religion: North Korea is officially an atheist state and so no religious practices are allowed. There have been many instances where people caught distributing bibles are arrested and executed.
· No smiling, laughing or any kind of celebration On the Kim Il-Sung’s Death Anniversary: As I previously stated, the people of North Korea hold high regard for their leaders and expect you to do the same. North Korea observes an official day of mourning on the anniversary of Kim Il-death. Sung’s It is forbidden to smile or speak loudly, and everyone should be seen mourning him. Those who do not grieve deeply enough are punished by being sent to labor camps.
Without a doubt, North Korea is a secretive country, completely isolated from the rest of the world. Perhaps this is why it piques the interest of travelers, and many of them end up visiting this place. Some people may not mind following the set rules and regulations, whereas others may desire liberty and freedom in what they do. It doesn’t matter how much you know about this country. The rules and laws of North Korea will never cease to amaze you, from some ridiculous laws such as not laughing to bowing down to their leader. It is easy to conclude that the main goal of all these strange laws is to control the people of North Korea and prevent any kind of opposition, which is obvious because if people are cut off from the rest of the world, they will be unaware of their rights and the lifestyles of other countries that they are missing out on. Learning about these bizarre laws made me feel fortunate that I was not born in North Korea.
