A new law in North Korea targets a different bunch of enemies – films, fashion and lingo from abroad. Even sporting a K-pop inspired hairstyle can lead to punishment and possessing illicit stuff can lead to execution. The authorities say the law is to ensure “reactionary thought” remains banished. The pandemic seems to have hit its economy badly, and the law is to guard against any rebellion in these especially difficult times for the North Koreans.

Totalitarian regimes by definition want to restrict what people can do, say, view or believe, but in this digital age they usually find sophisticated ways and psychological tools to manipulate mass behavior and keep people under control. North Korea, however, is an outlier. Virtually cut off from the rest of the world, it is a world in itself – a virtual reality show directed by Kim Jong-Un. But a movie smuggled from South Korea and a peep into the world outside can ruin his script. It can lead to, in his words, “unsavory, individualistic, anti-socialist behavior.” [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57225936]

Hence, the new law. [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-media-idUSKBN29P0C4] Anyone caught watching movies or videos from South Korea, the US and Japan would face 15 years in jail; possessing such content would invite death penalty. Kim also considers foreign slang, hairstyle and clothes as “dangerous poisons.” (Three teenagers were reportedly sent to a ‘re-education’ camp for their hairstyles and trousers inspired by K-pop stars.) Further, the law wants even the dutiful, innocent citizens to be vigilant, or face action for not reporting deviances.

What could have prompted such a law? As a defector told BBC, “The harder the times, the harsher the regulations, laws, punishments become.” With the pandemic, North Korea is more isolated than ever before. The supplies coming from China have been largely stopped. Economy is said to be in ruins and millions are going hungry, as the ruler nurtures dreams of nuclear supremacy. Kim himself reportedly acknowledged that it was “the worst-ever situation which we have to overcome.” Conditions might be bad enough to threaten disaffection and rebellion, and the law is aimed to rule out that possibility.

Also see:

https://www.csis.org/analysis/north-koreans-want-external-information-kim-jong-un-seeks-limit-access

http://www2.law.columbia.edu/course_00S_L9436_001/North%20Korea%20materials/hwang%20jang3.html