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

You can't smile on July 8th in North Korea because it's the death anniversary of the nation's founder, Kim Il Sung, and a strict, multi-day mourning period prohibits any public display of happiness, including laughing, drinking, celebrating, or even showing signs of enjoyment, with severe penalties for violations. These prohibitions extend to showing grief for other family members if it occurs during these special mourning periods, ensuring all focus remains on honoring the past leaders.

What happened on July 8th in North Korea?

Kim Il Sung, founder and supreme leader of North Korea, died of a heart attack in the early morning of 8 July 1994 at age 82. North Korea's government did not report the death for more than 34 hours after it occurred.

What are three things that are not allowed in North Korea?

In North Korea, three major prohibited activities include ** expressing dissent or criticizing the government/leaders, consuming foreign media (especially South Korean content), and practicing religion**, with severe penalties like prison or forced labor for violations, while even things like certain clothing (jeans), hairstyles, and unauthorized contact with foreigners are heavily controlled. 

Why can't you take photos in North Korea?

In general, you can take photos freely in North Korea. However, there are a few points to keep in mind. – Always ask permission before taking a photo of a person. – You cannot take pictures of soldiers, military installations, police, construction sites and public buildings.

Can you kiss in public in North Korea?

“You can't kiss in public places, it's not illegal but it's not cultural practice,” he recalls. ”You're also not supposed to have sex before you are married.” Inevitably, young people found ways of being intimate with each other. “Parents are often at work all day so couples will go to their house.

North Koreans mourn death of leader Kim Jong-Il

What is the 3 kiss rule?

The "3 kiss rule" primarily refers to the Dutch custom of greeting close friends and family with three kisses on alternating cheeks (left-right-left) when saying hello and goodbye, a warm gesture for various occasions. However, in dating contexts, it can also mean a social guideline suggesting a kiss (or intimacy) should happen by the third date to gauge potential, though this is more a general dating trend than a strict rule.
 

Can Indians visit North Korea?

Indian citizens are required to obtain a visa to enter North Korea. The North Korea Embassy Delhi facilitates the visa application process for Indian nationals. Applicants must submit necessary documents, such as a valid passport, photographs and a completed application form.

Are condoms illegal in North Korea?

Yes, the manufacture, sale, and import of condoms are effectively banned in North Korea as "indecent items" to encourage higher birth rates, but demand is high, making them contraband, with many brought in illegally from China, despite official discouragement of contraception and family planning. While possession might not be explicitly illegal, the government actively suppresses their use and availability to boost population growth. 

Can you go on YouTube in North Korea?

In April 2016, North Korea began to block Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and South Korean websites, due to "its concern with the spread of online information". On 19 September 2016, North Korea's nameserver that contains information about all of the ".

Is Coca-Cola legal in North Korea?

Yes, Coca-Cola is officially banned in North Korea due to long-standing U.S. trade embargoes, making it one of only two countries (with Cuba) where the brand isn't officially sold; however, it can sometimes appear through smuggled goods or unofficial channels, often in tourist areas, though it's not part of daily life. North Korea's own laws prohibit American cultural items like Coke, but exceptions are sometimes made for foreigners or through black markets, leading to sporadic availability.
 

How many children can North Koreans have?

North Korea encourages large families, with state media promoting having three or more children through benefits like better housing and subsidies, as Kim Jong Un pushes for population growth, though economic hardships often limit families to one or two kids in reality. While there's no official limit, the government actively incentivizes higher birth rates, with some reports mentioning encouragement for families to have as many as six children in the past. 

What is the forbidden 5th floor in North Korea?

The "forbidden 5th floor" refers to a mysterious, off-limits level in Pyongyang's Yanggakdo International Hotel, missing from elevator buttons and filled with surveillance equipment, propaganda posters, and locked rooms, likely used by North Korean authorities to monitor foreign guests' phones and rooms, serving as a hidden communications hub or operational base for the regime.
 

Can a hijabi go to North Korea?

The two venues mentioned above are the only places where there is a strict clothing requirement within North Korea. During your stay on the tour there are no other restrictions. If you have tattoos, piercings, facial hair, or prefer wearing hijab/niqab or blue jeans this is no issue.

What is the biggest cause of death in North Korea?

The leading causes of death in North Korea are non-communicable diseases (NCDs), primarily cardiovascular diseases (like stroke and ischaemic heart disease) and cancers, alongside respiratory illnesses, reflecting a growing global health burden despite persistent issues with infectious diseases, says www.worldlifeexpectancy.com, National Institutes of Health (NIH) | (.gov), and National Institutes of Health (NIH) | (.gov). While specific rankings vary slightly by source and year, cerebrovascular diseases (stroke) and heart disease consistently top the list, followed by chronic lung diseases and tuberculosis.
 

How did that girl escape North Korea?

In a 2014 speech, Park said she escaped North Korea by being driven in a car into China. In a later speech in Ireland, Park said she fled North Korea on foot and traveled over mountains.

Can gays get married in North Korea?

As of 2026, there is no North Korean law that recognizes same-sex marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships. Additionally, Article 8 of the Family Law of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea states that "Marriage may be done only between one man and one woman".

What do North Koreans use for periods?

In North Korea, women make sanitary napkins out of white cotton. We wash them to use them again and again. Some women buy cotton from street markets and make sanitary napkins by themselves. Some women buy pre-made sanitary napkins.

Is North Korea safe for females?

Women in North Korea, just like men, are severely restricted in everyday life: freedom of speech, freedom of movement and similar rights are tightly controlled by the state.

Is there KFC in North Korea?

No, KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) does not officially operate in North Korea, but a popular Pyongyang restaurant called the Chicken Specialised Restaurant is often nicknamed "KFC" by foreigners because it serves deep-fried chicken, leading to confusion, while North Koreans themselves enjoy similar fried chicken options, with some even buying KFC in China before flying back.
 

Can girls wear jeans in North Korea?

No, girls in North Korea generally cannot wear jeans, especially blue jeans, as they are seen as a symbol of Western capitalism and are officially banned to promote ideological purity and control, with violators facing criticism or punishment, though enforcement can be inconsistent and some darker-colored pants might be tolerated in certain urban settings. The regime promotes traditional attire and strict dress codes, banning ripped jeans, logo clothing, and short skirts, and even regulating approved hairstyles to suppress individuality.
 

What is the difference between 😘 and 😙?

😙 (Kissing Face with Smiling Eyes) is a friendly, generally affectionate kiss, good for family/friends, while 😘 (Face Throwing a Kiss) is more flirtatious or romantic, blowing a kiss with a wink and heart, signaling deeper interest but can also be playful thanks to context, with both representing love or appreciation. 

What is a rainbow kiss?

Noun. rainbow kiss (plural rainbow kisses) (slang, sex) A supposed sex act in which a man and a woman who is menstruating simultaneously perform oral sex on each other, followed by a kiss where the couple mix semen and period blood in their mouths (which makes the so-called "rainbow").

What does >: 3 mean?

The symbol >:3 (or just :3) in text represents a playful, mischievous, or cute cat-like face, often used to convey silliness, contentment, or a cheeky smirk, similar to how one might act cute or coy, deriving from Japanese cat-like expressions (neko). It's a variation of smileys, indicating something lighthearted or innocent, different from a standard smile.