About this Video

• Video Title: 30 Absurd Laws People In North Korea Are Forced To Follow
• Channel: Dr Discovery
• Speakers: Narrator
• Duration: 00:32:27

Introduction

This video explores the numerous bizarre and strictly enforced laws in North Korea, highlighting how these regulations control nearly every aspect of citizens' lives, from personal freedoms to expressions of identity. The video uses several examples to illustrate the regime's methods of control and oppression.

Key Takeaways

1. Three-Generation Punishment: Crimes committed by one individual result in punishment for their grandparents, parents, and children, aiming to prevent escapes and maintain control.
2. State Control of Triplets: Triplets are taken from their parents at birth and raised in state-run facilities until age four, ostensibly for resource management and control.
3. Modified Basketball Rules: Basketball rules are altered to create unpredictability and reflect the nation's chaotic political environment, showcasing the regime's influence on seemingly innocuous aspects of life.
4. Restricted Freedoms: Numerous restrictions exist, including bans on bicycles (for women at times), Western brands, and certain hairstyles, demonstrating the regime's determination to control all facets of daily existence.
5. Propaganda and Control: The government tightly controls information via limited television channels broadcasting only state propaganda, severely punishing those accessing outside media. The Juche calendar, starting from Kim Il-sung's birth, further exemplifies this control over the narrative of time itself.
6. Suppression of Individuality: Even seemingly trivial aspects like laughter, hairstyles, and clothing are strictly regulated to ensure conformity and obedience to the regime.

The video doesn't explicitly list 30 separate laws. The title is a generalization to highlight the extensive control the North Korean government exerts through numerous regulations. The video focuses on several key areas where these controls are manifested, which are described below. Note that these are not presented as individually numbered “laws,” but rather as categories of regulations or policies resulting in laws and enforced actions.

1. Three-Generation Punishment: This policy punishes not only the offender but also their grandparents, parents, and children for any perceived crime or disloyalty.

2. State Custody of Triplets: Triplets born in North Korea are taken into state custody shortly after birth and raised in government facilities until they turn four.

3. Modified Basketball Rules: The rules of basketball are altered, including different point values for three-pointers and slam dunks, points deducted for missed free throws, and eight-point baskets in the final three seconds, showcasing state control over seemingly innocuous activities.

4. Bicycle Ban (and Gender Restrictions): Bicycles were banned in Pyongyang for a period, and later, women were forbidden from riding them, highlighting the regime's control over transportation and gender roles.

5. Ban on Western Brands: Most Western brands, especially American ones, are forbidden. The elite, however, secretly access these brands. The regime promotes a domestic alternative, highlighting the disparity between the ruling class and the population.

6. Control of Television and Media: Only four government-controlled television channels exist, broadcasting state propaganda and strictly prohibiting access to foreign media. Possession of unauthorized content leads to severe punishments, even death.

7. Prioritizing Leader Portraits in Emergencies: Citizens are legally obligated to save portraits of North Korean leaders before saving their families or themselves during emergencies.

8. Ban on Jokes and Criticism: Making jokes, particularly about the Kim family, is a serious crime, demonstrating the regime's suppression of humor and dissent.

9. Juche Calendar: North Korea uses a unique calendar starting from Kim Il-sung's birth, completely disregarding the Gregorian calendar and further demonstrating the regime's control over the narrative of time itself.

10. Job Assignment for Life: Jobs are assigned by the government after school, with little regard for individual interests or skills, and changing jobs is exceedingly difficult, trapping people in assigned roles.

11. Limited and Controlled Internet Access: North Koreans have extremely limited access to a government-controlled internet network, Kwangmyong, blocking access to the global internet and limiting access to information.

12. "No Smile" Law (on Kim Il-sung's death anniversary): Showing happiness or smiling on July 8th (Kim Il-sung's death anniversary) is forbidden, showcasing the regime's control over emotional expression. This extends sometimes to a period of days around other leader death anniversaries.

13. No Home Ownership: Citizens cannot own homes; housing is assigned by the government based on loyalty and social status, and transferring residency rights requires navigating a system of bribes and unofficial transfers.

14. Crackdown on Phone Use: Use of cell phones to contact individuals outside North Korea is extremely dangerous, and the government monitors domestic calls and uses signal jammers to prevent unauthorized contact.

15. Ban on Sharing Leader's Name: People with the name "Jong-un" (Kim Jong-un's name) were legally required to change their names, further demonstrating the absolute power of the leader. This reportedly extended to Kim Ju-ae’s name as well.

16. Strict Hairstyle Regulations: Approved hairstyles for men and women are strictly limited and enforced, highlighting control over even personal appearance.

17. Ban on Jeans and Western Fashion: Jeans and Western fashion styles are banned, with the Patriotic Youth League actively enforcing these restrictions and employing public shaming tactics.

18. Ban on Religion: Practicing religion is severely punished, with even possession of a Bible leading to imprisonment or worse. The state promotes atheism.

These categories encompass a vast number of individual laws and regulations that collectively form the repressive system of North Korea. The video does not provide the exact number of individual laws as the title suggests, rather using a more general phrasing to convey the breadth of control.