Kim Jong-un bans laughing in North Korea for 11 days. 7 rules that will make you go ROFL
North Korea is a land of weird laws. Remember how people were sentenced to death for watching Squid Game? Or how listening to KPop sent a shiver down Kim Jong-un's spine? Now, after these bizarre laws, North Korea has got itself another one. Now citizens of North Korea cannot laugh (go on, first laugh a little at that). According to a new law, citizens of North Korea have been banned from laughing for 11 days. This law has been implemented to mark the 10th death anniversary of their former supreme leader Kim Jong-IL. He ruled North Korea from 1994 to 2011, the year in which he died. Not just laughing, the citizens also cannot shop and drink during the 11-day mourning period.
Well, this is not the first time North Korea has left us laughing a little too much at their (bizarre) laws. The North Korean government has passed many such laws in the past as well.
Here’s a list:
1. FALLING ASLEEP IN A MEETING
Falling asleep during a meeting is a saviour for us, but a crime in North Korea. Hyon Yong, a former defence minister of North Korea, was executed in 2015 for falling asleep during an event. Basically, if you're in North Korea, keep your caffeine handy.
2. ONLY MALE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS CAN DRIVE
Yes, women in North Korea cannot drive. And only one in a hundred people can own a car.
3. CANNOT WEAR JEANS
Every age group, every gender, basically everyone wears jeans. But not in North Korea. As per the North Korean government, a pair of jeans is a symbol of capitalism.
4. THE GOVERNMENT WILL DECIDE YOUR PROFESSION
Every child dreams about his or her future. Adults also change their profession every now and then as per their comfort. The world of North Korea is totally opposite. The government will decide the profession as per the country’s needs.
5. YOU CANNOT CHOOSE YOUR HAIRCUT
Wait, what? You cannot choose your own haircut. Kim Jong-un in 2013 released a list of haircuts for both men and women. As per the list, women can choose one out of the 18 haircuts in the list. On the other hand, men have only 10 options to choose from.
6. LAUGHTER NOT BANNED FOR THE FIRST TIME
Kim Jong-un’s grandfather and the founder of North Korea, Kim Il-Sung died on July 8, 1994. Every year on July 8, laughing, engaging in fun activities, cracking jokes and drinking alcohol become punishable acts.
7. PET DOGS TO BE CONFISCATED
During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Kim Jong-un ordered the citizens to give up their pet dogs. As per the North Korean leader, domestic dogs represent Western decadence. However, some reports mentioned that this law was passed to fight food shortage during the pandemic.
Which one do you find the most ridiculous? Let us know.