North Korea bans tight pants as “a symbol of the capitalist way of life”

The North Korean regime continues to be added to the list of prohibitions: not only is all freedom of expression limited but also fashionable. Is that ridiculous list of items banned “by capitalists” included skinny pants – usually stretchy – for men (It’s almost impossible to see a woman in pants in North Korea).

The news was published in the official government newspaper, Rodong Sinmum, and at the heart of the article, North Koreans are required to “do more to prevent capitalist culture from taking over the country,” according to the agency. South Korean Press Release Yonhap. “We must beware of the slightest sign of the capitalist lifestyle and fight to get rid of it, ”says the official journal of the regime.

But the veto doesn’t stop at stretch pants, but there are dozens of types of clothing, accessories and styles prohibited “to combat anti-socialist behavior”.

In fact, classic jeans, the quintessential garment with a casual look, under the Kim Jong-un regime, is considered a symbol of savage capitalism. Therefore, neither his women who wear a skirt, nor his men who prefer military-style pants, wear jeans.

Years ago, noticing an advance of Westernism in North Korean culture, the regime has banned, among other accessories, body piercings and for a decade there have been only a few haircuts approved by the regime.

The hairstyle models were confirmed by Finnish journalist Mika Mäkeläinen, who took pictures of a notice in a beauty salon during a visit to Pyongyang. As a general rule, they should wear short hair, and women are advised against wearing a ponytail.

In addition, hair dyeing is strictly prohibited, and men are encouraged to copy the dictator’s style.

To apply Kim Jong-un’s whims, the newspaper warns that members of the national youth organization already act as the country’s “fashion police” and their duties are to prevent people from wearing clothes that seem too “foreign”.

Censorship is not limited to fashion, but also advances the cultural tastes it entails. Weeks ago in fact Three North Korean teenagers from Kujang, North Pyongan Province, were sentenced to a re-education camp for “anti-socialist behavior” because of their appearance and the music they listened to.

“The Ministry of Social Security detained three 14-year-old students living in Kujang County. The students reportedly had their hair cut like South Korean teenagers from K-pop groups. After their preliminary examination in early April, the authorities sent the teenagers to a labor camp for re-education, ”said an anonymous source quoted by the Daily NK newspaper.

The source assured that in March, a classmate – who was the son of a leader of inminban (popular unit) – surprised the three students by cutting their hair like K-pop (South Korean popular music) idols, hemming their pants above the ankles and singing South Korean songs like Man by artist Na Hoon-a. The students were reported to the Ministry of State Security.

KEEP READING: