North Korea is one of the most secretive countries in the world. Its official name is Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Its leaders, Kim Jong-Un and his father Kim Jong-Il before him, have been widely criticized for their oppressive rule. It is an extreme nation when it comes to culture, laws, and customs. The country has isolated itself politically, socially, and economically from the rest of the world. This has resulted in strange and disconcerting rules and regulations. One of these is the ban on blue jeans.
As bizarre as it may seem, wearing blue jeans in the DPRK is strictly forbidden. The color blue is seen as a representation of the United States and its ideals, since it is the foundation of the American flag. Therefore, the North Korean government perceives blue jeans as a symbol of Western imperialism, and has completely outlawed them. It is a crime punishable by harsh punishments such as prison sentences or fines.
A North Korean defector, Park Hyun-Soo, told NK News that the government’s ban on blue jeans was the result of fear and paranoia. He stated: “The ban on blue jeans is the result of paranoia from the North Korean government that the US will spread its culture, values, and beliefs through clothing into North Korea.”
The ban has been in place since the 1990s, when blue jeans were beginning to become popular around the world. Hyun-Soo claims that the government was worried that people would eventually wear them in public. Furthermore, many people in the Hermit Kingdom are forbidden from owning blue jeans, even in the privacy of their own home. This is why they remain one of the most sought-after items amongst the North Korean populace.
The consequences of wearing blue jeans in North Korea are severe and punishable by hefty prison sentences. Senior North Korean officials were once even arrested for simply wearing them in public. Thus, people must think twice before even attempting to wear blue jeans in the Hermit Kingdom. As a result, many North Koreans instead opt for blue slacks or pants to show their patriotism.
Fashion experts from around the world have expressed their disapproval of the North Korean government’s ban on blue jeans. While opinions vary, many specialists agree that such a ban is a restriction of personal freedom and completely unnecessary in the 21st century. International fashion designer Jeff Pang even took to Twitter to express his outrage: “It’s almost 2020 and North Korea is still banning blue jeans. This needs to stop!”.
The ban on blue jeans in North Korea is a reflection of the country’s tightly controlled society, draconian laws, and deep rooted fear and paranoia of the West. Blue jeans have become a symbol of Western culture and represent everything that the North Korean government stands against. This is why blue jeans are forbidden and North Koreans are expected to wear blue slacks or pants, instead.
The Impact of Blue Jeans Ban on the North Korean Economy
The ban on blue jeans in North Korea has imposed adverse effects on its economy. Not only is it difficult for people to obtain blue jeans, but once they are acquired, they are usually highly overpriced, due to the difficulty of smuggling them into the country. According to research conducted by the Korea Economic Institute, the average price of a pair of blue jeans in North Korea is 11 times higher than in South Korea. The ban has also limited access to both new designs and more affordable second-hand jeans.
Furthermore, with the prevalence of the use of blue jeans across the globe, a North Korean domestic industry for making and selling them does not exist. This has forced North Koreans to rely on external sources if they want to access blue jeans. For example, it is not uncommon for entrepreneurs or foreign traders to take advantage of this opportunity, to smuggle and sell second-hand blue jeans for a hefty profit.
The Outcry of Fashion Activists
Fashion activists from around the world have taken to social media to denounce the North Korean blue jeans ban. This includes popular figures in the global fashion industry, such as fashion designer Guo Pei and famous German model Heidi Klum. In their online outcry, they have urged the world to put more pressure on the North Korean government, to repeal the draconian law which has limited people’s right to express themselves through fashion. Such activists hope that this pressure will ultimately lead to positive changes in the North Korean system and laws.
Activists have also started a social media campaign, to spread global awareness of the issue. The hashtag #FreeTheJeans has been trending across Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms, in order to put a spotlight on the blue jeans ban in North Korea. This is an example of how people from all over the world are using their voices to act against oppressive systems and strive for a better future for all citizens of the world—no matter which country they live in.
Possible Solutions
To free the jeans, international pressure needs to be put on Kim Jong-Un, to put an end to the ban. The United Nations, the United States, and other world leaders have already started to put slight pressure on North Korean authorities, by denouncing the blue jeans ban in their official statements and diplomacies. However, more needs to be done.
One way for this to happen is for foreign fashion brands and labels to produce jeans specifically for the North Korean market—jeans which follow the country’s strict norms but also help bring income to the local people. This would provide a much-needed avenue for increased access to blue jeans and would generate revenue for the North Korean economy.
Blue Jeans Documentaries
The efforts of fashion activists and the #FreeTheJeans campaign have brought the issue of the blue jeans ban in North Korea to be widely recognized across the globe. In recent years, a number of documentaries have been produced regarding this issue. Documentaries such as The Blue Jean Hoarders, Clothing as a Weapon, and Banned in Pyongyang, have documented the plight of young North Koreans, who have been deprived of the right to express themselves through fashion.
These documentaries have helped to bring this issue to the attention of the wider public, and many people have been moved by their stories. Documentaries such as these have even been featured at international film festivals, with audiences praising their effort in raising awareness of the ban and putting a spotlight on fashion freedom.
Cultural Impact of Blue Jeans in North Korea
The North Korean government has long been against western influence in its culture, which is why the ban on blue jeans is so effective. Not only does the ban prevent access to a key fashion staple, it also enforces the North Korean government’s vision for North Korean culture. The ban on blue jeans has created a unique style among the North Korean people, with their slacks or pants replacing the jeans of neighboring countries.
It has also created a sense of pride in the North Korean people, as they are proud to represent their own culture as opposed to Western culture and its clothing styles. In fact, some North Korean individuals have even seen the ban as a good thing, stating that it has helped them to create a unique style which is distinctly North Korean. While the ban on blue jeans is generally seen as an oppressive rule by many North Koreans, some have found it an opportunity to create and express their own unique culture.
International Outreach
The outcry against the North Korean blue jeans ban has spread beyond online communities, to international governments and NGOs. Some have put out official statements condemning the ban and urging the North Korean government to reconsider its stance on clothing restrictions. Some international non-governmental organisations have even launched campaigns aimed at increasing global awareness of the issue and urging the authorities to change their laws.
In addition to this, more and more people have also begun to call on other countries in the region to act. These countries have a vested interest in ensuring that their citizens are free to express themselves through clothing and other creative outlets, and can put more pressure on the North Korean government to end the nation’s ban on blue jeans.
