North Korea’s Legal System
North Korea is one of the world’s most oppressive countries, and its 70-year-old Stalinist regime has implemented a series of measures to control its citizens in a variety of ways. One of these measures is a ban on tampons, a product that North Korea views as subversive and dangerous to its authority. The underlying reasons for this unusual regulation are deeply rooted in North Korea’s legal system.
North Korean law is largely based on the ‘Socialist Rule of Law’ model, which has been adopted by a number of socialist countries since its inception in the Soviet Union in the late 1940s. This approach to law heavily emphasizes the state’s interests over those of individual citizens, and places a strong emphasis on the role of the law in ensuring social stability. As such, the North Korean state sees any product or activity that it deems to be disruptive or unfamiliar as a threat to its authority and aims to eliminate them.
In North Korea, breaking the law can carry serious consequences. The authorities have a number of punitive measures at their disposal, from short-term detention to imprisonment in a labor camp. As a result, North Koreans are reluctant to challenge the status quo, and this reluctance is compounded by the country’s pervasive surveillance and censorship infrastructure. In this climate, even a product as seemingly innocuous as tampons can be seen as a threat to North Korea’s authoritarian regime.
The Problems with Tampons
The North Korean authorities have several reservations regarding tampons. One practical issue is their cost, as North Korea has a limited budget for products such as hygiene and medical supplies. By banning tampons, the government can save money and allocate resources elsewhere.
The issue goes beyond simply cost though, as the North Korean government views tampons as something to be suspicious of. Because tampons are connected with sexual health and feminine hygiene, the government sees them as potentially subversive, as they can lead to discussion about topics it deems inappropriate for public discourse. This underlying sense of taboo is further enhanced by the fact that tampons can be used for personal hygiene, meaning that their use can be seen as an attempt to protect oneself from the toxic cultural attitudes of the North Korean state. In addition, the fact that tampons are often imported from abroad only serves to amplify the government’s concerns that they could be used for subversive purposes.
Impact Perspective of North Koreans
For North Korean women, the ban on tampons presents a number of challenges. In the absence of access to tampons, women may be forced to resort to other, less sanitary, methods of managing their monthly cycle. This can have a detrimental effect on both their physical and mental health.
For example, more traditional methods such as reusing sanitary pads can lead to an increased risk of infection, while the lack of access to tampons can create feelings of shame and anxiety due to a lack of ability to adequately manage their menstrual cycle. Additionally, the lack of access to tampons can place a financial burden on North Korean women, as they are forced to seek out alternative methods of managing their menstrual cycle. This often involves buying items from the black market, which can be expensive.
The Implications of the Ban
The ban on tampons in North Korea carries with it a number of implications both for the population of the country and for the international community. In terms of the former, the ban highlights the oppressive, authoritarian nature of the North Korean regime, as well as the lengths it is willing to go to in order to maintain its power.
On an international level, the ban is an indicator of North Korea’s unwillingness to engage with the rest of the world, as well as its continued commitment to maintaining its sovereignty at any cost, even if it means depriving its own citizens of essential resources. It also serves as a warning to other states that the North Korean government will take drastic measures if it perceives its authority to be under threat, a reminder that its actions are unpredictable and potentially dangerous.
International Response to the Ban
The international response to the ban on tampons in North Korea has been largely muted. International organizations such as the United Nations have expressed concern over the North Korean government’s continual violations of human rights, but have been largely unwilling to take a more proactive stance due to the political sensitivities of the situation.
Many human rights activists have called on the international community to take a stronger stance in condemning the North Korean government’s actions and to push for sanctions against the regime. However, any such sanctions would likely have to come in the form of a coordinated effort between multiple states, something that has yet to materialize due to North Korea’s continued saber-rattling and its nuclear ambitions.
Influence of Sanctions and Diplomacy
Sanctions, international diplomacy, and other forms of international pressure can play a key role in changing the North Korean government’s policies. For example, diplomatic efforts led by the United States and South Korea have led to tentative steps towards denuclearization on the part of the North Korean government.
It is also possible that targeted sanctions could be used in order to pressure the North Korean government into lifting the ban on tampons. Sanctions that target the government’s ability to import goods from abroad could make it more difficult for the government to maintain its ban, as it would be unable to procure the necessary supplies.
Changing Perceptions in North Korea
The North Korean authorities have largely maintained their ban on tampons, and are unlikely to reverse it unless presented with significant external pressure. However, in recent years there have been indications that North Korean citizens are increasingly aware of the importance of access to feminine hygiene products and other health-related items. This has been borne out in informal surveys conducted of North Korean defectors, which show that more and more people understand the importance of such items to their health and well-being.
In addition, recent reports of the activities of the North Korean government indicate that it is increasingly willing to allow small concessions such as permitting the import of certain goods from abroad, indicating that there may be a shifting attitude towards foreign products by the authorities. This, in turn, could lead to a relaxation of the ban on tampons and other feminine hygiene products in the future.
Domestic and International Strategies
While the current international response to the ban on tampons has been largely muted, there are a number of domestic and international strategies that could be employed to put pressure on the North Korean government to reverse its policy. Domestically, the North Korean people could engage in increased activism against the ban, and pressure the authorities to reconsider its stance. Internationally, state actors and international organizations could pursue diplomatic endeavors and target sanctions in order to put more pressure on the government to lift the ban.
At the same time, it is important to remember that North Korea is an extremely isolated state, and any attempts to influence its government must take into account its unique political, economic, and cultural environment. As a result, any attempt to push for a change in the North Korean government’s policy on tampons must be carefully calibrated and calibrated to ensure that it is not seen as a threat by the authorities.
Women’s Rights in North Korea
The ban on tampons in North Korea is part of a much larger issue of the lack of gender equality in the country. North Korea does not recognize or promote women’s rights, and its laws are heavily biased in favour of male citizens. This disparity extends beyond simply the lack of access to tampons and other feminine hygiene products, and has implications for a number of aspects of life in North Korea.
Women in North Korea face a number of disadvantages that their male counterparts do not, including limited access to education and employment opportunities, restricted freedom of movement, and a general lack of recognition of their rights and contributions by the North Korean state. As such, any attempt to push for change in North Korea must involve efforts to address this underlying issue of gender inequality.
Conclusion
The ban on tampons in North Korea is a stark reminder of the North Korean government’s ongoing attempts to exercise control over its citizens. The underlying reasons for the ban are rooted in the country’s legal system, and the impact on North Korean women highlights the lack of gender equality in the country.
In terms of the international response, there has been limited progress in challenging the North Korean government’s policy on tampons. However, it is possible that targeted sanctions and diplomatic efforts could be used to pressure the North Korean government into reversing its ban, while increased activism within North Korea could help to draw attention to the issue and push for change. Ultimately, any attempt to influence the North Korean government must take into account the country’s unique political, economic, and cultural context.
