Even with street kisses... Despite North Korea's execution warnings, "Love cannot be stopped"

An Attitude That Ignores Authorities' Regulations

Although North Korean authorities are intensifying ideological control over young people, recent reports indicate that North Korean youth are freely enjoying dating, including expressing affection in public places.

The commuting scenes of Pyongyang residents. [Image source=Rodong Sinmun]

Recently, Daily NK cited a source from North Hamgyong Province, reporting, "City and county party committees in North Korea are strengthening ideological control and supervision over young people," but "young people are not complying with the controls and are instead engaging in behaviors contrary to them."

North Korean authorities have recently adopted laws such as the 'Anti-Reactionary Ideological and Cultural Rejection Law (December 2020)', 'Youth Education Guarantee Law (August 2021)', and 'Pyongyang Cultural Protection Law (January 2023)' to prevent ideological deviation among youth caused by the influx of external cultures, including South Korean culture, and have increased punishments accordingly.

In particular, as youth influenced by Hallyu culture began using expressions like "oppa," "I love you," and "boyfriend," the authorities reportedly started language control measures, encouraging people to report those who use South Korean dialects or words.

South Korean dramas and movies have also influenced the dating culture of North Korean youth. According to the source, couples not only hold hands in public places but also frequently kiss on the streets. Furthermore, influenced by South Korean and American dramas, the number of "older woman-younger man" couples has increased.

The source said, "Because there has been so much control, young people have become accustomed to it, and even when laws are introduced and punishments are intensified to intimidate them, they respond with an attitude of 'it will pass eventually,'" adding, "No matter how much control is strengthened, it is meaningless." The source continued, "Even after new laws were adopted post-COVID and despite witnessing executions related to these laws, young people say, 'Let's live according to global trends,' and imitate what they see in South Korean dramas and movies."

It was also reported that the number of young people who feel it is okay not to marry has increased. The source said, "After COVID, as it became harder to make a living, many young people decided to earn and live alone without marrying," adding, "In the past, it was rare to find an unmarried woman by age 30, but now many young men and women in their 30s have no intention of marrying."

Meanwhile, strict control over South Korean dramas and other video content continues in North Korea. In July, a man in his 30s was arrested for secretly watching the JTBC drama Strong Woman Do Bong-soon (2017). In 2020, a man distributing USB drives containing South Korean dramas such as Crash Landing on You was reportedly publicly executed in Yanggang Province.