N. Korea bans piercings, Westernized hairdos
In this Aug. 30, 2014 photo, a North Korean woman walks along the Taedong River in Pyongyang, North Korea./AP-Yonhap
By Lee Jin-a
North Korea is putting its people under tighter control before the 7th Congress of the Workers’ Party next month.
Authorities recently launched a nationwide crackdown on those who have piercings and wear Westernized clothing or hairstyles, the vernacular daily Chosun Ilbo, citing Japanese media outlet Asia Press, said.
The clampdown focuses on North Hamgyong Province and Yanggang Province, which are close to China, where residents have relatively easy access to information from the outside world.
In North Korea, those who wear Westernized fashion or hairstyles are considered “spoiled” by capitalism and subject to punishment.
“A growing number of North Korean people are infatuated with Western culture,” Japanese journalist Ishimaru Jiro was quoted as saying in the report. “The crackdown will continue until the end of the upcoming gathering.”
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is expected to tighten his grip on the country through the event.