Sex Culture
North Korea is a place that is not often associated with the concept of sex. With a society that is overwhelmingly closed off, it can be difficult to keep fact and fiction separate. In this article, we’ll attempt to set the record straight, and explore whether sex is something you can have in North Korea.
Historically speaking, North Korean culture has been fairly conservative and puritanical when it comes to sex. However, it is worth noting that pre-modern North Korea did have certain sexual customs that were considered normal. These included polygynous marriages and common concubinage. Here, we see a stark contrast with today’s society, where sex is seen by many as a vice and those caught engaging in it face serious repercussions.
This cultural shift took place following North Korea’s Liberation from Japan in 1945 and the subsequent Korean War. During this time, the prevailing ideology shifted from a liberal attitude towards sex towards one that was more censorious. It is worth noting that this was not solely a North Korean phenomenon, but a regional one as well. In particular, the South Korean government passed a strict anti-adultery law during this period.
As a result, how sex is handled in North Korea can depend significantly on the age, background and social status of the individuals in question. For example, while premarital sex is illegal and punishable by law, the same act can be overlooked among elite circles if it is done in the right place and manner.
Attitudes towards Sex
The attitude of North Koreans towards sex is still far from liberal. Sex before marriage is forbidden, and any violation of this rule can have dire consequences. Couples caught engaging in premarital sex may be prosecuted and sent to a labor camp as punishment. Similarly, divorce is heavily stigmatized, and can lead to other forms of social alienation.
That said, there is evidence of a gradual shift in attitudes towards sex in recent years. An increasing number of North Koreans can now be found using social media platforms like Instageram to share more frank conversations about sex. The growing prevalence of contraception and other forms of birth control can also be seen as a sign of changing times.
Access to Sex Education
While there is undoubtedly still a long way to go, it seems that North Koreans are becoming more willing to discuss sex openly. This increased openness is also reflected in the growing availability of sex education. North Korean schools now teach basic sex education, covering topics such as fertility, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases. This is a major development, considering that until very recently, North Korea’s sex education had been practically nonexistent.
Economic Influences
The past two decades have seen a dramatic shift in the North Korean economy. After a period of stagnation, the economy has been expanding rapidly, with the growth in the service sector being a major driving force. This shift has had an observable effect on North Koreans’ attitudes towards sex, as economic prosperity tends to lead to more liberal attitudes.
Relationship Dynamics
The last two decades has also seen a significant shift in relationships between men and women. In the past, women were expected to be submissive and obedient to their husbands. Nowadays, however, the lines between the two sexes have started to blur, with men and women both playing a role in the decision-making process. This shift has contributed to the increasingly open dialogue around sex in North Korea.
Governing Principles
Despite the changes in attitudes towards sex, North Korea remains a conservative society with strict governing principles. North Koreans who violate these rules face severe punishment, whether in the form of fines, prison sentences or even execution. This is particularly true for those who are caught engaging in premarital sex or adultery.
Legal Status of Sex in North Korea
Despite a gradual shift in attitudes towards sex in recent years, sex before marriage is still illegal and punishable by law in North Korea. Divorce is also heavily stigmatized and can lead to social alienation. Similarly, homosexuality is a criminal offense and is harshly punished.
Penalty for Having Sex
Those caught engaging in premarital sex or adultery in North Korea face severe punishment, including fines, prison sentences or even execution. This is particularly true for women, who are seen as the weaker sex and thus seen as more morally culpable. Similarly, those caught engaging inhomosexual relationships can be charged with ‘sexual misconduct’ and punished accordingly.
Sex and Tourism
With the growth of the tourism industry in North Korea, the issue of sex has become a prominent one. While foreign tourists are not encouraged to engage in sexual activity while in the country, it is not viewed with the same degree of disapproval as sexual relations between two North Koreans. Of course, foreign tourists who are found to be engaging in sexual activities while in the country face the risk of heavy fines and deportation.
The North Korean Elite
For North Korea’s elite, sex is viewed as a luxury and is widely enjoyed. Some observers have even argued that it is a requirement for achieving elite status in the country. In this context, it seems that sex is indeed possible in North Korea, but only for those with the right connections and resources.
Final Thoughts
Despite a slow process of liberalization in certain areas, North Korea remains a conservative society when it comes to attitudes towards sex. Pre-marital sex and adultery are still illegal and those caught engaging in such activities face serious repercussions. That said, it is worth noting that this picture is slowly changing, with a growing number of North Koreans being willing to engage in frank conversations about sex and a growing availability of sex education in schools. While this is a sign of progress, there is still a long way to go before North Koreans are able to enjoy the full range of sexual freedoms that other societies enjoy.
