Historical Context
North Korea is a notoriously rigid and oppressive regime, in which the government holds iron rule over its citizens. This iron control is all-encompassing, from restrictions on freedoms of speech and the press to the oppressive management of religious life and practices. This culture of fear and oppression, however, does not extend to everyday life. For example, North Koreans are actually encouraged to take part in spontaneous expressions of joy, such as singing and dancing. Laughter, however, has been deemed too dangerous and subversive for the nation and has been banned by the government.
This ban on laughter can be traced back to the reign of Kim Jong-il, who ruled North Korea from 1994 until his death in 2011. Under his iron fist, the government began to clamp down on any expressions of joy or frivolity that were deemed to be disrespectful to the political ideology of the nation. The fear of retribution from the government meant that citizens had to police themselves and refrain from any kind of spontaneous laughter that might be perceived as mocking the state.
Have People Stopped Laughing?
It is difficult to quantify how effective the ban on laughter has been, and whether North Koreans have truly stopped laughing entirely. North Korean defectors have reported that laughter is still commonplace among North Korean citizens, and that there are still jokes and light-hearted conversations in private. And with the rise of internet access, despite the government’s numerous attempts at censorship and control, it seems as though more people are accessing humor and laughing than ever before.
However, in public, laughter is still very much frowned upon. Citizens are expected to comport themselves with utmost seriousness, and only express patriotic joy at organized events and celebrations. It seems that while some North Korean citizens are still able to laugh privately, public expressions of laughter and humor still risk punishment or even imprisonment.
The Power of Laughter
The ban on laughter speaks to the immense power that laughter can have to challenge authoritarian control. Through guffaws and sarcasm, people can challenge orthodoxies or make light of oppressive regimes. This power is something that Kim Jong-il and North Korean authorities were deeply aware of, which is why they sought to stifle anyone from expressing themselves in such a way.
It is not only North Korea where laughter has been frowned upon. Throughout history, authoritarian regimes have sought to suppress expressions of humor that might encounter their rule. In the Soviet Union, for example, Boris Pasternak was denounced for the satirical writing in one of his most famous novels, Doctor Zhivago. In Nazi Germany, humor was strictly regulated and often seen as a threat to the regime. It seems that oppressive regimes are universally fearful of the power of humor, as it allows people to express their discontent and remind one another that they are more than just cogs in a wheel.
Practical Implications
The consequences of this ban on laughter are serious. Expressing one’s emotions is an integral part of being human, and denying citizens the right to express their joy or sadness can have long-term psychological impacts, leading to an inability to regulate their emotions and resulting in high levels of anxiety and stress. Furthermore, the fear of punishment from the government can lead to a state of dystopian paranoia, in which citizens feel that they are being constantly watched and judged.
International Reaction
The international reaction to North Korea’s ban on laughter has been condemnation and shock. Human rights organizations have spoken out about the ban and the human rights violations inherent in the regime. Diplomatic relations between North Korea and other nations have also been strained, as governments seek to pressure the North Korean government to end its oppressive practices.
Pressure from Within
North Korea’s laws and regulations are enforced mostly by citizens themselves. It is not the government who is policing laughter, but rather citizens who are fearful of the consequences that making light of the state might bring. In this regard, it has been suggested that sustained international pressure and engagement with the North Korean authorities could lead to a relaxation of the ban. If citizens can be reassured that their rights to expression will be respected, then they may be more willing to laugh in public and challenge conventions.
Campaigns to Normalize Laughter
In recent years, there have been some efforts to normalize laughter in North Korea. Some organizations have launched campaigns to raise awareness about the ban and raise money for projects that aim to reintroduce laughter into the state. As these campaigns are mostly led by North Koreans from outside the country, they are able to engage in what many would deem to be subversive activities with relative impunity. These campaigns have been largely successful, and are starting to challenge the hegemony of North Korea’s strict laws.
Adverse Effects
But despite their success, these campaigns have had some adverse reactions from the North Korean authorities. The government is increasingly aware of the potential for subversive activities, and has been known to crack down on any campaign that it deems to be too liberally minded. The result of this is a heightened sense of paranoia and fear among campaigners, who now face stricter government surveillance and greater limits on their freedom of expression.
Potential Consequences
The implications of North Korea’s ban on laughter are wide-ranging, from the long-term psychological impacts on citizens to the wider geopolitical implications for North Korea’s international relations. As the world continues to focus its attention on the oppressive regime, greater campaigns to normalize laughter may lead to a relaxation of restrictions and a shift towards greater freedom of expression in the future. However, this shift will only come if the North Korean authorities are in agreement and willing to grant their citizens more rights and freedoms.
