10 Things That Are Prohibited in North Korea

North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is one of the most secretive and authoritarian countries in the world. Ruled by the Kim dynasty, the regime enforces strict laws and regulations to maintain its power and control over its people. Many everyday freedoms we take for granted are completely banned or heavily restricted in North Korea. Let’s explore 10 shocking things that are strictly prohibited in this isolated nation.

1. Freedom of Speech

Government Censorship of Media

In North Korea, the concept of free speech is virtually non-existent. Every word spoken in public is monitored either directly by authorities or indirectly through a network of informants. The government maintains a tight grip on all forms of media, and everything published or broadcasted must glorify the state, especially the ruling Kim family. Newspapers, radio stations, and television channels are state-run and serve as mouthpieces for propaganda. There’s no such thing as a private news outlet in the country.

Residents are not allowed to discuss politics freely or express any dissatisfaction with government policies. Even a joke about the leadership can land someone in a labor camp—or worse. Citizens grow up in a culture of fear, where self-censorship becomes second nature.

Punishment for Criticism Against the Regime

Criticizing the government, especially Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, is considered treasonous. The punishments for such offenses are severe and can include imprisonment, torture, or public execution. In many cases, not only the accused individual but their entire family—including children—can be punished under the concept of “guilt by association.” This has created a culture where people are afraid to even speak privately about their government.

People whisper inside their homes, close the windows, and still live in fear of being overheard. Children are taught from an early age to report any “anti-government” speech, even from their parents. In North Korea, your voice can literally be your downfall.

2. International Internet Access

Restricted Online Communication

Forget about browsing Instagram or watching YouTube videos if you’re in North Korea. The general population has no access to the global internet. The online experience is limited to a national intranet called “Kwangmyong,” a closed system that only includes government-approved websites. These sites are mainly educational or propaganda tools and lack any form of entertainment or global connectivity.

Only a select group of high-ranking officials and government researchers are allowed to access the real internet, and even then, their usage is monitored closely. For the average citizen, Googling a question or chatting on WhatsApp is nothing but a dream.

Intranet vs. Internet in North Korea

The Kwangmyong intranet offers a highly censored version of the internet. There are around a thousand websites, and none of them offer access to the outside world. There’s no email to foreign countries, no live news from abroad, and certainly no social media. The intranet is built purely to support state ideology, often containing educational material that praises the North Korean way of life.

North Korea fears foreign influence and the spread of information that could inspire rebellion or dissent. By restricting access to the internet, the regime keeps its population in the dark about the outside world, effectively maintaining their ideological prison.

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3. Watching Foreign Media

Ban on South Korean and Western Films

North Korea has one of the strictest censorship regimes on the planet. Watching South Korean dramas or American movies is a punishable crime. These foreign films are seen as tools of ideological corruption and are considered dangerous because they portray life outside of North Korea—often a life of freedom, luxury, and personal choice.

Despite the risks, bootleg copies of foreign shows and films are smuggled into the country on USB sticks and SD cards. People hide these media devices in secret compartments, only watching them at night, with curtains drawn and volume turned low.

Severe Penalties for Smuggling Media

Being caught in possession of foreign media, especially South Korean entertainment, can result in brutal punishment. Those distributing content face execution or life in labor camps. Even first-time viewers can be sentenced to years in prison. In 2021, a North Korean man was reportedly executed by firing squad for distributing a copy of the popular South Korean series “Squid Game.”

This harsh stance isn’t just about maintaining control—it’s about preventing North Koreans from discovering what life is really like in other parts of the world. The regime fears that such revelations could weaken their grip on power.

4. Leaving the Country Without Permission

Escaping North Korea Is a Crime

Leaving North Korea without government authorization is considered a serious crime. Known as “defection,” it’s treated as an act of treason. Most borders are tightly secured, especially the demilitarized zone (DMZ) with South Korea, which is filled with landmines and armed guards.

The Chinese border is slightly more porous, and some defectors attempt to cross the Yalu River into China. However, even if they make it across, they’re not safe. China often deports North Koreans back to their country, where they face torture, imprisonment, or execution.

Repercussions for Families of Defectors

Defecting isn’t just risky for the individual—it’s dangerous for their entire family. North Korea operates on a policy of collective punishment. If someone escapes, their relatives are often detained, questioned, and sent to prison camps as retaliation.

This system keeps many people from even considering escape, knowing that their loved ones would pay the price. The fear of what might happen to family members acts as a powerful deterrent, ensuring that even the thought of freedom remains locked away.

5. Religious Practices

State Religion vs. Personal Beliefs

While North Korea claims to guarantee freedom of religion in its constitution, the reality is far different. The country enforces a state-sponsored ideology known as “Juche,” a blend of Marxism, nationalism, and near-worship of the Kim dynasty. Any religious activity that doesn’t conform to the state ideology is forbidden.

Christianity, in particular, is seen as a threat. Possessing a Bible, attending an underground church, or even praying privately can result in a death sentence or lifelong imprisonment. The government sees religion as competition for loyalty, and it’s determined to crush any rival belief systems.

Harsh Penalties for Religious Activities

Religious believers are considered enemies of the state. Entire families have disappeared after being caught with religious texts or participating in worship. Human rights organizations have documented horrific accounts of torture, forced labor, and public executions related to religious persecution.

There are state-run churches in Pyongyang, but these are largely for show—staged events meant to fool foreign visitors into believing religious freedom exists. In truth, North Korea is one of the most hostile places on earth for practicing any faith.

6. Fashion and Hairstyles

Government-Approved Hairstyles Only

In North Korea, self-expression through appearance is not a right—it’s a privilege controlled by the state. The government has officially sanctioned a list of approved hairstyles: 15 for women and 10 for men. These styles are meant to reflect the nation’s socialist values and to discourage vanity or individualism. For example, women are encouraged to wear short hair, while married women may be allowed slightly longer cuts. Men must keep their hair short and neatly trimmed, usually no longer than two inches.

Interestingly, dyed hair is completely forbidden. So forget about coloring your locks or experimenting with styles seen in K-pop or Western media. Perms and elaborate hair treatments are also banned unless sanctioned by state salons. These rules are enforced at schools, universities, and workplaces, where teachers and officials regularly inspect students and employees for non-compliance.

Dress Code Restrictions for Citizens

Clothing is another area where the government exercises tight control. Jeans, for example, are viewed as a symbol of Western imperialism and are generally banned. People must dress modestly and conform to styles that honor the nation’s ideals. Women are expected to wear traditional dresses, known as “chima jeogori,” on formal occasions. Pants for women are frowned upon unless worn for labor tasks. Makeup and accessories are also regulated, and excessive use can lead to reprimands or worse.

Fashion in North Korea is not a way to stand out—it’s a tool for blending in. The state fears that allowing personal style could open the door to larger forms of dissent and rebellion. So, they nip it in the bud by ensuring everyone looks the same, marches in step, and doesn’t question the rules.

7. Driving Without Government Permission

Only Elite Citizens Can Own Cars

Driving a personal vehicle in North Korea is not a common right; it’s a rare luxury reserved for the political elite, military officials, or individuals with very high status. The majority of North Koreans will never even sit behind the wheel of a car, let alone own one. Vehicle ownership requires not just a government permit but also a high level of trust from the regime.

The scarcity of private cars means that streets are often eerily empty, even in Pyongyang, the capital. Most citizens rely on bicycles or public transportation, and rural residents often walk long distances or use ox-drawn carts. Cars are expensive, and with limited fuel supplies, even those who own vehicles rarely use them.

Travel Within the Country Requires Permits

You can’t just hop in a car and drive to another city in North Korea. Internal travel is strictly monitored and controlled by the government. Citizens must obtain special travel permits to move from one region to another. These permits are difficult to get and often require a good reason—like a funeral or a government assignment.

At checkpoints between provinces, security officers review travel documents and question travelers. Those without the proper paperwork are turned back or detained. The purpose of this restriction is clear: to prevent the free movement of people, ideas, and potentially subversive information.

By limiting internal mobility, the regime maintains its grip on different regions and keeps the population fragmented. It’s a system designed not for convenience but for control.

8. Western Products and Culture

Ban on American Brands and Items

Western products, especially American brands, are seen as a threat to North Korea’s ideological purity. Items like Coca-Cola, Nike apparel, iPhones, or anything bearing a U.S. logo are either banned or extremely hard to come by. These products symbolize capitalism and foreign influence—two things the regime actively combats.

While some of these items make their way into the country through black markets or diplomatic channels, possessing them can result in harsh penalties. In many cases, these products are confiscated, and the owners are fined, detained, or worse. Only top-ranking officials or individuals with foreign connections are allowed access to such luxuries.

North Korea’s Anti-Western Propaganda

North Korean education and media are saturated with anti-Western propaganda, particularly against the United States. From a young age, children are taught that America is the enemy. Schoolbooks contain stories of U.S. soldiers committing atrocities during the Korean War, and public murals often depict American troops as villains.

This anti-Western narrative is crucial to maintaining the regime’s power. By portraying the outside world—especially Western nations—as dangerous and morally corrupt, the government justifies its own harsh policies and keeps citizens reliant on state protection.

Allowing Western products would undermine that message. It would suggest that there’s something desirable about the cultures North Korea vilifies—and that’s a risk the regime isn’t willing to take.

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9. Listening to Foreign Music

Censorship of Songs and Lyrics

In North Korea, music isn’t just entertainment—it’s propaganda. Songs are used to glorify the state, praise the Supreme Leader, and instill loyalty. All music must be government-approved, and anything from outside the country is considered illegal. That means no BTS, no Taylor Swift, and certainly no hip-hop.

The lyrics of foreign songs are viewed as subversive. Even instrumental tracks can be problematic if their origins are Western. The government fears that music can serve as a gateway to alternative lifestyles and values. So, they make sure that every beat and lyric aligns with state ideology.

If someone is caught with a foreign music file, the consequences can be severe. Penalties range from fines to imprisonment or forced labor. And, like with foreign films, distributors face the harshest punishments—sometimes even death.

Government-Approved Music Only

The music officially promoted in North Korea includes revolutionary songs, patriotic anthems, and pieces dedicated to the Kim family. These are played on loudspeakers in public squares, on buses, and through state-run media. Citizens are expected to know the lyrics and sing along during public events.

There are government-sanctioned musical groups, like the Moranbong Band, that blend state-approved themes with modern instruments. But even these performances are carefully curated to maintain ideological purity. The message is clear: music should serve the state, not the individual.

10. Communication with Foreigners

No Private Contact with Tourists

Tourists are heavily chaperoned during their visits to North Korea, and for good reason: private conversations with locals are strictly forbidden. North Koreans are not allowed to speak to foreigners without government permission. Even a brief conversation on the street can arouse suspicion and lead to punishment.

This rule applies to everyone—students, shopkeepers, and even hotel staff. Interacting with outsiders is considered a threat to the national narrative. Foreigners might reveal truths about the outside world, or simply treat North Koreans with a kindness that contradicts the government’s portrayal of foreign “enemies.”

To avoid these risks, the regime ensures that every tourist is accompanied by a state-approved guide, and local citizens are instructed to avoid contact at all costs.

Surveillance of Phone Calls and Messages

North Korea also heavily monitors all forms of communication. Landlines, cell phones, and even mail are subject to surveillance. International calls are strictly prohibited for regular citizens. Only government officials and diplomats have access to foreign communication lines—and even they are closely monitored.

Mobile phones in North Korea are on a closed network that doesn’t allow calls outside the country. All SIM cards are registered with the government, and usage is tracked. Even texting something remotely critical of the regime can land someone in serious trouble.

This surveillance ensures that North Koreans remain isolated not just physically, but intellectually and emotionally. The regime wants to keep its citizens in a controlled information bubble—one where the only voice they hear is that of the state.