In November 2017, North Korean state media sentenced United States President
Donald Trump to death. After taking offence to his comments that leader Kim Jong-un was "short and fat" and a "cruel leader", an editorial in the ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun responded by writing: "The worst crime for which he can never be pardoned is that he dared [to] malignantly hurt the dignity of the supreme leadership. He should know that he is just a hideous criminal sentenced to death by the Korean people."
Since becoming president, Trump has thrust himself into a war of words on social media with the North Korean leader, with both trading childish personal insults and spine-chilling threads of military strikes. So it perhaps came as no big surprise that a death threat was finally made by someone. However, the thing many people didn't realise is just how easy it is to get executed for wrongdoing in the DPRK. Allegedly, there are a number of easy ways to get yourself badly punished or murdered.
Having a drink
While in any other country, heading to the pub with your mates is a standard activity on a Friday and Saturday night (and most likely Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday), in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited, except for on special holidays. So, could they seriously kill you if you sneak a beer? History says yes. In 2012, a North Korean official was reportedly executed by mortar shell for drinking during the 100-day mourning period of the late ‘Dear Leader’ Kim Jong-il. According to multiple news sources, Kim Jong-un himself demanded the official be "obliterated" with "no trace of him behind, down to his hair".
Watching some cheeky Netflix
Reports in the media tell us that citizens in the East Asian country are forbidden from watching anything but state propaganda; radios and television sets in North Korea are supplied already pre-tuned to North Korean stations and must be registered with the police. Allegedly, the country has publicly executed over 130 people for watching South Korean TV.
Playing music
While we're all over here living and breathing the latest
Taylor Swift or Kayne West album, people in North Korea don't have the same musical freedom. Any music played by citizens over there is said to have to "glorify the regime" and most western music is seen as a crime against the state that could get you punished, or some say, killed.
Calling your friend
It was revealed in an Amnesty International report that the North Korean government keeps a very tight grip on use of communication technology, especially when it comes to countries that they consider as "enemies". Apparently, international phone calls are not permitted on their phone networks and residents are restricted to making local calls; in 2013, a North Korean man was publicly executed by a firing squad for calling his friend in South Korea. Afterwards, Arnold Fang, East Asia Researcher at Amnesty International, stated: “Kim Jong-un is being deceitful when he justifies such repression as necessary to stop what he calls ‘the virus of capitalism’. Nothing can ever justify people being thrown in detention for trying to fulfil a basic human need – to connect with their family and friends."
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Mourning "wrong"
Allegedly, the government's hardline regime punished anyone who did not mourn correctly after the death of dictator Kim Jong-il. Reported suggested that sentences of at least six months were given to those who did not attend organised mourning events. An informant from North Hamkyung Province apparently told the Daily NK: "The authorities are handing down at least six months in a labour-training camp to anybody who didn’t participate in the organised gatherings during the mourning period, or who did participate but didn’t cry and didn't seem genuine." It was denied in later reports, but the truth is that little is known about what goes on in the country, so no one knows for sure.
Watching porn
Most people like to indulge in a little "me time" when they're alone, and that's okay. However, in North Korea, "me time" is prohibited. It's rumoured that viewing or selling porn can lead to the death penalty and in 2013, it was reported by multiple media outlets that leader Kim Jong-un had an ex-girlfriend executed in front of her own family for partaking in a sex tape. Whether this piece of information is true remains to be seen.
Slouching
Kim Yong Jin, a vice premier on education affairs in North Korea’s cabinet, was reportedly executed over the way he was seated during a meeting. As crazy as it sounds, Jeong Joon Hee, a spokesman for Seoul’s Unification Ministry claimed in 2016 that Yong Jin first faced investigation because of the way he was seated during a June meeting attended by Kim Jong-un, and was later killed after it was decided that his slouching was unacceptable. Jeong gave no further details, including how his ministry obtained the information, but if it's true, it may be the craziest execution story yet.
Having a religion
According to investigative reports, North Korea is an atheist and agnostic country and people technically have a freedom of religious belief. However, having an individual opinion or belief never actually goes down that well; when a group of residents were found to be practising Christianity in 2013, it was alleged that 80 people were publicly executed in a stadium for owning the Bible. Ultimately, it seems like the only form of worship allowed is the admiration of their leader Kim Jong-un; apparently, North Koreans are expected to go through a worship ritual every time they pass the statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim-Jong-il in the heart of capital city of Pyongyang.
Leaving the country
Apparently, the ultimate crime is to leave North Korea. If a person is caught attempting to seek refuge in China, they'll be forcibly returned and executed by the government.
So, what have we learned from this list? Perhaps primarily to count ourselves lucky that we can indulge in a bevy at the pub with our pals, blast some
Katy Perry in our bedrooms and have a Netflix and chill session with our cat whenever we like. Next time you do any of those things, just remember, a lot of people can't.
