Are condoms allowed in North Korea?

Yes, the manufacture, sale, and import of condoms are effectively banned in North Korea as "indecent items," with the government actively discouraging their use to boost the country's low birth rate, though demand remains high, making them contraband often brought in from China, and some North Koreans still manage to use them for family planning or disease prevention despite the official stance.

Are condoms legal in North Korea?

Getting a condom is next to impossible because the country has banned all sorts of birth control measures. Sanitary pads and tampons are not available in the North Korean market. Women use the old-school reusable pads which they are expected to reuse by washing after use.

What things are banned in North Korea?

North Korea bans most foreign media (especially South Korean), internet access (except state intranet), South Korean slang, certain fashion (like jeans), unauthorized contact with foreigners, and any disrespect towards the Kim leadership, with violations leading to severe punishment, including forced labor or execution, while international sanctions restrict imports like luxury goods, certain technologies, and oil. 

Is kissing in public allowed in North Korea?

In North Korean films you don't see couples kissing or being physically affectionate with each other, so many North Koreans are just not used to PDA and wouldn't dream of being too affectionate or kissing in public. Nonetheless North Koreans do meet and date and fall in love like everywhere else.

Is it illegal to drink coke in North Korea?

Yes, Coca-Cola is officially banned in North Korea due to long-standing U.S. trade embargoes, making it unavailable through legal channels, though it can sometimes be found through unofficial, smuggled, or black market sources, often imported from China for elites or tourists. North Korea's own customs regulations specifically prohibit American products like Coca-Cola, cigarettes, and denim, but exceptions exist for items brought in by foreigners, leading to these grey-market imports. 

Normal Things That Are Illegal in North Korea

Why can't you smile on July 8 in North Korea?

You can't smile in North Korea on July 8 because it's the anniversary of the death of founder Kim Il Sung (July 8, 1994), a day for solemn mourning, where expressions of joy like smiling, laughing, drinking, or celebrating are strictly forbidden, with severe punishment for violators, reflecting extreme state control over public emotion and memory. 

Are tampons illegal in North Korea?

Tampons? Nowhere to be found. They aren't on the official list but are simply not sold. Most North Korean women have never even heard of them.

What is the Cinderella rule in Korea?

South Korea's "Cinderella Law," or Shutdown Law, was a 2011 regulation that blocked children under 16 from playing online games between midnight and 6 AM to curb addiction and promote sleep, but it was controversial, often bypassed, and ultimately abolished in August 2021, replaced by a system focusing on parental controls to respect youth rights and allow for more flexible home education. 

What is the forbidden 5th floor in North Korea?

One Western travel agency specialising in tours of North Korea has described the fifth floor as "actually just a service level much like would be found in any hotel, and strictly off limits to tourists."

Is TikTok allowed in North Korea?

TikTok is blocked in North Korea and cannot be accessed there because of the country's censorship.

Who cannot enter North Korea?

In principle, any person is allowed to travel to North Korea; only South Koreans and journalists are routinely denied, although there have been some exceptions for journalists.

Are abortions legal in North Korea?

Abortion in North Korea has been illegal for most of the country's history, except for it being made legal in 1983 until being banned again in 1993. However, its abortion laws have often been loosely enforced.

Do they have toilet paper in North Korea?

Further, it is the norm to gather human excrement for use as agricultural fertilizer. NK News: Is toilet paper available in North Korea? Lee: Toilet paper is available, and while it is not seen as a luxury item per se, only the North Korean elites and the middle class typically have access to it.

What is the 3 day rule in Korea?

The "3 date rule" in Korean dating is an unofficial guideline where after about three dates, there's an expectation to become an official couple, moving from the "something" (sseom) phase to exclusivity, often marked by declaring love and starting couple rituals like matching rings or outfits. While traditionally strong, the speed of this transition can vary, with some younger Koreans adapting it, but the general idea of a quick commitment after a few meetings remains a notable part of the culture, contrasting with slower Western dating.
 

What is the 52 hour rule in Korea?

South Korea's 52-hour rule caps the total workweek at 52 hours (40 standard + 12 overtime) to combat chronic overwork, improve work-life balance, and boost productivity, applying to most businesses based on size, though some industries have temporary exemptions or flexible options. The law replaced a longer workweek (up to 68 hours), with penalties like fines or imprisonment for non-compliant employers, impacting large firms first and gradually rolling out to smaller businesses. 

What does snail bride mean in Korean?

Ureongi gaksi (Korean: 우렁이 각시, The Snail Bride) is a Korean folktale about a poor man who breaks taboo and marries a maiden who comes out of a snail shell until he loses his snail bride when a magistrate kidnaps her.

What is the average salary in North Korea?

Average Wages

Official Salary: This is typically between 5,000 and 10,000 North Korean won (KPW) per month, which translates to roughly $1-3 USD based on black market exchange rates [source for North Korea average salary].

Is there a black market for the North Korean won?

The North Korean won is not traded in the international markets. It is traded in the unofficial black markets and certain department stores at around US$1 = 8,900 KPW in 2025-04.

What do Koreans call menstruation?

- Period is 월경 or 생리❕생리 is pronounced 생니 due to batching rules. To say, “I'm on my period”, you can say. - 저는 생리 중이에요 (standard polite) But! I don't see why you would need to share this information with someone you're not really close to so here's a more casual way.

Why don't Chinese use tampons?

Women in China avoid tampons due to cultural beliefs and Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. TCM teaches that blocking the natural flow of menstrual blood can disrupt the body's qi and cause internal dampness or stagnation. Instead, pads are preferred to allow the body to release and rebalance naturally.

What is the biggest cause of death in North Korea?

The leading causes of death in North Korea are non-communicable diseases (NCDs), primarily Stroke, followed by Coronary Heart Disease (Ischaemic heart disease), and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Lung Disease), with Tuberculosis also being a major killer, reflecting issues from poor living standards, diet, and the collapse of medical systems, according to World Health Organization (WHO) data and other health reports.