#头条创作挑战赛#
Life in North Korea is governed by a set of strict and unique rules that make up the everyday landscape of this mysterious country. These regulations are not only deeply rooted in the lives of the North Korean people, but also add a veil of mystery to the outside world's understanding of the country.
On the streets of North Korea, everyone's behavior and communication are shaped and limited by these seemingly inconspicuous but highly impactful rules. In fact, some of these regulations are unimaginable to the outside world.
North Korea's dress code: uniform and calm colors
On the streets of North Korea, people walk in clothes that look like a calm picture, black, gray, and dark blue are intertwined into a solemn and unified sea of colors. On both sides of the street, the clothes displayed in the shop windows echo this hue, with simple lines and a lack of over-ornamentation, each of which seems to silently speak of North Korea's insistence on tradition and unity.
Against this backdrop, Mr. Lee, an elderly North Korean man, sits on a small stool in front of his house and looks out at the people rushing by on the street. He was dressed in an old gray jacket with a worn neckline, but still neat.
He recalls an attempt when he was younger: "I also tried to wear bright clothes when I was younger, but I soon realized that it was not encouraged by us. His voice was slightly hoarse, but there was a helpless firmness in his tone.
Next to Mr. Li is his grandson, a twelve-year-old boy, wearing a plain dark blue school uniform with a childish smile on his face. He listened to his grandfather's words, his eyes were full of curiosity, and he couldn't hide his yearning for color.
He cautiously asked, "Grandpa, what do those bright clothes look like?" Mr. Li smiled and replied, "Just like spring flowers, colorful." A hint of longing flashed in the little boy's eyes, but soon his gaze returned to the reality around him.
From time to time, uniformed officials patrol the streets, their eyes stern and scrutinizing, as if to remind everyone to obey the rules. Occasionally, one or two people dressed in slightly different clothes will appear on the street, and their clothes will still be dark, but with slightly different styles, which will immediately become the focus of the attention of passers-by.
In such an environment, North Korea's residents have become Xi to this uniform dress. In public, they rarely discuss things about clothing and focus more on work, family, and daily life. At the market, vendors display a wide variety of everyday items, but the costumes are almost unchanged. When customers choose clothes, they think more about practicality than appearance.
The younger generation, despite their curiosity about the colors of the outside world, are also taught to respect and uphold the traditions and rules of the country. In schools, children wear uniform uniforms, and loyalty to the country and respect for traditions are emphasized in the educational content. In the classroom, teachers teach not only book knowledge, but also rules about dress and the meaning behind them.
Even within the family, parents admonish their children to follow these rules. At family gatherings and festivals, the atmosphere is more relaxed, but most of the clothes worn by the members are traditional in the Korean style. Conversations between family members tend to revolve around daily life and country news, and the topic of clothing is rarely mentioned.
On the streets, foreign tourists can occasionally be seen, dressed in contrasting clothes with those of North Korean residents. These tourists sometimes look around curiously, sometimes take out their cameras and want to take pictures, but they are soon reminded by the tour guide not to take pictures at will. In this environment, even North Korea, which is open to the outside world, has quietly demonstrated its adherence to rules and traditions.
Premarital cohabitation: a forbidden freedom
In North Korea, premarital cohabitation is an extremely sensitive and legally unrecognized matter. Miss Kim, a young North Korean woman, has been in love with her boyfriend for several years. While they love each other, they know how their relationship is viewed in the eyes of society. Miss Kim and her boyfriend were talking quietly in a restaurant, trying to avoid attracting the attention of others.
"We need to be more careful until we are officially married. The boyfriend whispered across the table. Miss Kim nodded and responded, "I know, and I don't want to cause any trouble to our family either." "In North Korea, every family attaches great importance to social norms and laws, and any violation of the norm can cause unnecessary distress to the family.
On the streets of North Korea, couples walk hand in hand, but they always keep a certain distance to show respect for social norms. In parks, squares, and other public places, young couples can be seen sitting and talking, but their interaction is always kept within reasonable boundaries.
At family gatherings, when discussing the topic of marriage and love, the elders always remind the young people to obey the Marriage Act. At these gatherings, even the interaction between young people is always carried out under the supervision and guidance of the elders. At family gatherings, Ms. Kim often hears her parents and relatives discussing the importance of marriage and her responsibilities to society.
In schools and workplaces, the content of marriage law is also included as part of education. Teachers and leaders regularly highlight to young people the unacceptability of premarital cohabitation and its potential impact on individuals, families, and society. This kind of education is deeply rooted in the hearts of young people, so that they are always extra cautious when it comes to choosing between love and marriage.
Ms. Kim and her boyfriend also had to take these social norms into account when planning for their future. When they discuss their future lives, they always revolve around how to construct their shared lives while respecting laws and social norms. They would go to the market to pick up furniture and household items, but always avoided discussing their plans too intimately in public.
In North Korea, marriage registration is seen as a very important thing. Ms. Kim and her boyfriend also had to face a series of complicated procedures and regulations when planning to get married. They went to the Civil Affairs Bureau to consult about the marriage registration process, and patiently listened to the staff's explanation of the marriage law and the various requirements for legal marriage.
In North Korea, weddings are not just a personal celebration, but a way to demonstrate compliance with social norms. In the process of preparing for the wedding, Ms. Kim also often felt the limitations of social norms on personal choices. In the process of preparing for the wedding, she needs to take into account not only personal preferences, but also the expectations and standards of society for the wedding.
Photo ban: A strict control of the image
In North Korea, a photo ban is a strictly enforceable rule, especially for foreign tourists. A foreign tourist experienced the restrictions imposed by this regulation during his trip to North Korea. He follows a tour group through the streets of Pyongyang, and whenever he tries to capture the streets of North Korea with his camera, he is always tactfully reminded by his tour guide: "Please don't shoot randomly." ”
The tourist noticed that the streets of North Korea were dressed and behaved in a very standardized manner, and every scene seemed to be carefully arranged. During his sightseeing, although he was eager to document these unique sights, he was always restricted. He noticed that even at famous sites such as Kim Il Sung Square and Juche Pagoda, tourists are strictly monitored for taking pictures.
During a stretch of the tour, the tourist discovered that the tour guide would only allow visitors to take pictures at certain locations and angles. At these "official" photo spots, the backdrop is always those iconic buildings that represent North Korean politics and culture. The guide will carefully explain the importance of each photo spot and make sure that visitors maintain appropriate behavior and expressions when taking photos.
While visiting some museums and historical sites in North Korea, the tourist likewise encountered photo restrictions. At these places, your guide will explain in detail which exhibits and areas are forbidden to photograph. During a visit to a history museum, when he inadvertently pointed his camera at an exhibit, he was immediately stopped by the tour guide and whispered: "You can't take pictures here, please respect our rules." ”
This strict control is not only reflected in the taking of photographs, but even in the communication with local residents. During a market visit, the tourist tried to talk to some of the local residents, but found that people often rarely take the initiative to express their opinions, especially in public. Even in their interactions with foreign tourists, they appear to be very cautious in their speech and demeanor.
Tourists have similar experiences with other members of the tour group. In the evening, at the party at the hotel, everyone shared their observations and feelings. They discussed North Korea's approach to information control and how that control affects perceptions of North Korea.
While tourists are curious about the tight control, they also understand that it is part of North Korea's image of the country.
On his last day in North Korea, the tourist visited a school in Pyongyang. At the school, students performed some traditional dances and songs, showcasing North Korean culture and art. On this occasion, the tour guide allows visitors to take pictures, but still reminds everyone to pay attention to the way and angle of the shot.
When the visitor left North Korea, he took with him not only his limited photographs, but also a deep impression of the country's unique social norms.
Curfew: Strict restrictions at night
Since August 2020, a curfew has been in place in the northern border areas of North Korea, a policy that has had a profound impact on the lives of local residents. Mr. Park, a resident of the area, witnessed the change.
When the curfew began, he observed that the streets became empty in the evening. "As soon as the curfew began, the streets were empty," he recalls. We know that if it is violated, the consequences can be severe. ”
The curfew is from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. in summer and from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. in winter. This provision is strictly enforced, with few exceptions. On the streets, regular patrols patrol the streets before and after the curfew starts and ends to ensure that the rules are followed.
During the curfew, the activities of the residents were greatly restricted. During the day, people rush to finish all their daily tasks, such as shopping, visiting friends, and working, before the curfew begins. Shops and markets will also adjust their opening hours according to the time of the curfew so that residents can return to their homes within the stipulated time.
Mr. Park, who runs a small grocery store, had to adjust its hours after the curfew was imposed. He starts preparing for the closure early every afternoon to make sure he and his employees can get home before the curfew begins. During curfew hours, the silence and emptiness of the streets contrasts with the busyness of the day.
In the first few hours of the curfew, the streets gradually increase in the flow of people and everyone is rushing home. Transportation has also become congested, and everyone is trying their best to comply and avoid violating the curfew. On public transport, there will be a brief communication between the driver and the passenger, reminding each other to pay attention to the time.
Family members stay home at night, and some families get together during curfew for dinner, TV, or other family activities. Family gatherings in the evening have become a new routine, albeit restricted, but also brought more interaction and communication between family members.
During the first month of the curfew, some residents were adjusting to the new rhythm of life. Residents rushing home can occasionally be seen on the streets, crossing the streets at the last minute to avoid violating the curfew. The strict enforcement of the curfew has made residents pay more attention to time management and ensure that their activities are completed within the stipulated time.
Although the implementation of the curfew has affected the daily lives of residents to a certain extent, it also reflects the great importance that North Korea attaches to social order and security.
Prohibition of private possession of foreign exchange: strict currency controls
In North Korea, the government imposes strict controls on currency circulation and foreign exchange holdings. According to this policy, the private possession and use of foreign exchange by residents is expressly prohibited. This measure is part of the DPRK's establishment of a strict order of currency circulation, aimed at maintaining the country's economic stability and the effective implementation of monetary policy.
A staff member who works at a trading company in North Korea shared his experience: "We can only trade foreign currency in banks, and it is not allowed to hold it privately. His words reveal the North Korean government's tight grip on economic management. In North Korea, all foreign exchange transactions must be carried out through banks, and this applies not only to individuals, but also to all businesses, including trading companies.
This kind of policy affects the day-to-day operations of many residents and businesses. When trading forex at a bank, people need to follow a complex set of regulations and procedures. For example, when conducting international trade, enterprises must first declare their foreign exchange needs to the bank and provide relevant trade contracts and documents. The bank will only approve the foreign exchange transaction after reviewing these documents.
In the market, this foreign exchange policy has led to strict monitoring of foreign exchange. Vendors in the market need to be extra careful when importing goods to ensure that all transactions are in accordance with government regulations. When they purchase and sell imported goods, they must make foreign exchange settlements through official channels.
The implementation of such a policy is especially evident in border cities. Residents and merchants in border areas, despite their geographical proximity to other countries, must still strictly comply with exchange controls when conducting cross-border trade. Banks in these areas have special foreign exchange windows to handle matters related to international trade.
Bank staff must also strictly follow the government's regulations when dealing with foreign exchange transactions. When they accept foreign exchange deposits or exchanges, they keep detailed records of the details of each transaction and report them to the relevant government departments on a regular basis.
In some special economic zones in North Korea, although the government has relaxed the operation of foreign-funded enterprises to a certain extent, it still has strict control over foreign exchange. Businesses in these economic zones, despite enjoying a certain amount of economic freedom, must still comply with strict regulations when dealing with foreign exchange matters.
North Korean companies often face more challenges in international trade activities. When they trade with foreign companies, they must ensure that the transaction is carried out smoothly while ensuring compliance with domestic foreign exchange policies. This not only increases the complexity of the transaction, but also increases the operating costs.
In North Korea, the strict implementation of foreign exchange policy reflects the government's high priority on economic management. Through these measures, the government tries to control the circulation of money and protect the domestic economy from external fluctuations.
Resources:
- Wu Donghao, Li Guang.Yanbian Prefecture's trade with North Korea and legal issues[J].Journal of Yanbian University:Social Sciences,2015,48(1):36-42.)