A child is born in North Korea, but from the moment of birth, that innocent child can already be labeled a traitor. North Korea is known for having some of the strictest laws in the world, and some of them are so extreme that they are hard to believe.
For example, elections are held there, but people have no real choice in voting. Citizens can vote for only one candidate, and refusing to vote can lead to prison. Television broadcasts only a single government-approved channel, and changing channels is not even an option. North Korea may be the only country where not only committing a crime, but even thinking about one, can supposedly get you jailed.
Until 1945, Japan ruled the Korean Peninsula for 35 years. After World War II, Korea was divided into two parts: North Korea and South Korea. North Korea came under the influence of the Soviet Union, while South Korea was influenced by the United States.
In 1948, Kim Il Sung became the leader, and the country was officially named the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. However, democracy never truly existed there. In 1950, the Korean War broke out between North and South Korea. Even after the war ended, no peace treaty was signed, meaning the two countries are technically still at war.
Since then, power in North Korea has remained within a single family — first Kim Il Sung, then Kim Jong Il, and now Kim Jong Un. Each ruler introduced increasingly strict laws to maintain control and suppress opposition.
In 2024, North Korea reportedly banned sunglasses and certain wedding dresses. In public places like metro stations, instead of music, speeches by the Kim family are played, and people are not allowed to talk or make noise during them.
Watching South Korean dramas or Hollywood movies can lead to labor camps or harsh punishment. The government claims these restrictions prevent “ideological contamination” from foreign cultures.
Ordinary citizens do not have access to the global internet. Instead, they use a closed internal network monitored by the state, which tracks what people read, watch, and discuss. International phone calls without government permission are illegal.
All television channels, radio stations, and newspapers are controlled by the state. Private media does not exist. The media mainly praises the government and the Kim dynasty while portraying foreign countries like the United States as enemies.
The government also controls hairstyles. Citizens are only allowed to choose from a small list of approved hairstyles. Jeans, dyed hair, flashy clothing, and foreign fashion trends are often restricted.
Even food can become political. Hot dogs are reportedly banned because they are associated with American culture, while some South Korean dishes are also discouraged.
Travel within the country requires official permission. Leaving North Korea is nearly impossible for ordinary people. Passports are usually granted only to elite officials and people close to the government.
In North Korea, land, homes, shops, and businesses belong to the state. Citizens can only use them with government approval.
Religious practice is heavily restricted. Although churches exist, critics claim many are only displayed for foreign visitors as symbols of “religious freedom.” People practicing religion privately risk punishment.
One of the harshest policies is “guilt by association.” If someone opposes the government or criticizes the Kim dynasty, not only that person but sometimes their entire family can be punished — reportedly across multiple generations. This is why even an innocent child born years later can inherit the label of “traitor.”
Government informants are said to monitor neighborhoods, apartment buildings, and workplaces. Weekly “self-criticism sessions” are also reportedly held, where citizens publicly confess mistakes and criticize themselves or others.
Voting is mandatory, but there is only one approved candidate. The purpose of elections is less about choice and more about demonstrating loyalty to the regime.
North Korea also has a class system called “Songbun.” A person’s social status is determined by family background. Families considered loyal to the regime receive better jobs, housing, and opportunities, while those seen as politically unreliable face discrimination and harsh living conditions.
Military service is mandatory for both men and women, often lasting many years. Citizens are also expected to publicly mourn the deaths and anniversaries of Kim family leaders.
Every home is required to display portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, and citizens are expected to keep them clean and respected.
North Korea even uses its own calendar system called the Juche calendar, which starts from 1912 — the birth year of Kim Il Sung. So while the rest of the world may call it 2025, in North Korea it is officially Juche 114.
Much of the information known about North Korea comes from defectors, leaked footage, satellite images, and reports from people who managed to escape the country after the Korean War. Because the country is so isolated, it is difficult to independently verify every claim, and some rules may have changed over time.