North Korea may be the most isolated and secretive nation on the planet, but that doesn’t mean we are completely clueless about life behind the curtain. When you think of the Hermit Kingdom, you probably picture odd laws and a total blackout of outside media. Its people are forced to obey a host of peculiar regulations and are cut off from many commonplace websites and forms of communication. In fact, most citizens likely have no idea they live under such a restrictive regime because they never see anything beyond the state‑run channels. Below you’ll find 10 completely normal everyday actions that are outright illegal in this closed‑off country.
Why These 10 Completely Normal Activities Are Banned
10 Using the Internet
Imagine a world where you can’t Google a recipe, stream a video, or scroll through memes – that’s the reality for the average North Korean. The state treats the global internet as a dangerous contagion, allowing only a privileged handful of officials, scientists and a few university students to log on. Everyone else is forced to stay on a tiny, government‑controlled intranet called Kwangmyong, which offers just a sliver of information approved by the regime.
Officially, the law forbids any use of the worldwide web. The leadership fears that unrestricted access would let people compare their lives to those abroad, sparking dissent. By keeping the population offline, the regime can control the narrative and prevent the free flow of ideas that might threaten its grip on power.
Even mobile phones are tightly monitored; most citizens can only make domestic calls, and any attempt to connect internationally is considered a grave offense. This digital isolation is a core part of how the government maintains its iron‑clad control over everyday life.
9 Smiling
We all love a good grin, but in North Korea a smile can land you in serious trouble on a very specific date. On July 8th, the anniversary of Kim Il‑sung’s death, citizens are prohibited from smiling. The law treats any display of happiness on that solemn day as disrespectful to the founding leader.
If someone is caught beaming on the anniversary, the punishment can be severe – ranging from forced labor in a concentration camp to even execution. The same strictness applies to other exuberant behaviors like being loud, drinking alcohol, or throwing a birthday party during the mourning period.
Kim Jong‑un extended this tradition by declaring an 11‑day mourning period for his father, Kim Jong‑il, on the tenth anniversary of his death. During those days, laughing, drinking, and even shopping were banned, underscoring how tightly the regime controls even the most mundane expressions of joy.
8 Watching TV
Think about the endless choices on a modern TV guide – sports, dramas, news from around the globe. In North Korea, that luxury doesn’t exist. Citizens are only permitted to watch state‑run programming, and owning a television or radio capable of receiving foreign signals is illegal.
The government’s rationale is simple: any exposure to outside culture could undermine the official narrative. As a result, the only channels available are those that broadcast propaganda, news glorifying the leadership, and a few approved cultural shows. The lack of variety is a deliberate tool to keep the populace focused on the regime’s messaging.
7 Driving
Imagine being forced to walk everywhere because a car is a luxury reserved for the elite. In North Korea, only about one in a hundred residents is allowed to own a vehicle, and the restrictions are even tighter for women.
Women are outright forbidden from driving, regardless of whether they work as traffic officers. If a woman needs to travel, she must be accompanied by a male guardian. Historically, even bicycles were off‑limits for women, though that rule has been relaxed in recent years. Still, the limited transport options mean most women remain home‑bound, caring for families while men take on state‑assigned jobs.
6 Leaving the Country
Travel outside the borders of North Korea is a dream most citizens will never see. Any departure must receive explicit government approval, and the process is fraught with danger. Those who attempt to flee without permission risk imprisonment for themselves and their entire families, often ending up in harsh labor camps.
Successful escapes usually involve costly smuggling operations, where third‑party traffickers guide defectors across the heavily fortified border. Even then, the risk of capture is high, and the penalties are severe – ranging from long prison sentences to execution.
5 Wearing Jeans
Fashion is a form of personal expression, but in North Korea the government dictates what’s acceptable. Skinny jeans, for instance, are strictly prohibited because they are seen as a symbol of Western decadence.
If you’re caught sporting disallowed attire, you’ll be summoned to a court where you must write a confession of “anti‑socialist” behavior. Release only comes after someone provides you with state‑approved clothing, and your employer is notified of the infraction. Similar bans exist for dyed hair, piercings, and other “non‑conformist” styles, with city patrols actively searching youth hotspots for violators.
4 Talking on the Phone
Making an international call in North Korea isn’t just frowned upon – it can be a death sentence. In 2007, a factory chief in South Pyongan province was executed in front of a stadium packed with 150,000 spectators for installing thirteen phones to make overseas calls.
The incident turned chaotic: six people were killed on the spot, and a further 34 were injured as the crowd rushed out of the arena in panic. This brutal example serves as a stark warning that any attempt to bypass the state’s communication controls is met with the harshest possible punishment.
3 Choosing Your Profession
Dreaming of a career as an astronaut or a rock star? In North Korea, that fantasy is impossible. After finishing high school, every citizen is conscripted into the military – men serve for ten years, while women serve until they turn 23.
Once military service ends, the state assigns each person a lifetime job, often in agriculture, street sweeping, factory work, traffic control, or teaching. There’s no room for negotiation, and the work week typically stretches to 48 hours with only Sundays off. In 2016, the regime even ordered a massive 70‑day work sprint for virtually the entire population to boost the economy.
2 Getting a New Haircut
Changing up your hairstyle is a simple way to refresh your look, but in North Korea the options are painfully limited. The government officially approves only 28 haircuts – 14 for women and a handful for men.
Women’s styles are generally short, reflecting the expectation that married women keep their hair modest. Men may not exceed two inches in length, and any spiky, dyed, or otherwise “non‑socialist” hair is strictly forbidden. Deviating from the approved list is deemed anti‑socialist behavior and can lead to disciplinary action.
1 Talking Smack About the Government
Criticizing the government is a daily habit for many of us, but in North Korea it’s a capital offense. Every citizen must pledge unwavering loyalty to Kim Jong‑un, his family, and the state. Even a casual insult or a whispered dissent can result in imprisonment or execution.
Foreign visitors aren’t exempt either. American student Otto Warmbier was detained after allegedly stealing a billboard from his hotel room, an act the regime interpreted as an insult. He was sentenced to a labor camp, fell into a coma, and died after being released back to the United States.
Observers have likened the country’s oppressive atmosphere to the dystopian world of “The Handmaid’s Tale.” While we may gripe about minor inconveniences, remembering these ten completely normal activities that are banned in North Korea puts our own complaints into perspective.