LGBT rights in North Korea

LGBT rights in North Korea

The status of gay rights in North Korea is unclear due to the country's tendency towards secrecy regarding its internal affairs. Though homosexuality is not officially criminal in North Korea, the government condemns the practice as a vice caused by the decadence of capitalist society, and denounces Western gay culture as promoting consumerism, classism, and promiscuity. [Global Gayz. " [http://www.globalgayz.com/northkorea-news.html Gay North Korea News & Reports 2005] ". Retrieved May 5th, 2006.] "Violating the rules of collective socialist life" can be punished with up to 2 years imprisonment. [Spartacus International Gay Guide, page 1217. Bruno Gmunder Verlag, 2007.] It is unclear whether this code of conduct is implemented to punish homosexuals.

North Korean defectors claim that homosexuality is simply not discussed in the country, and most have no idea of the existence of such sexual practices until leaving. [The Marmot’s Hole (Google Cache). " [http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:7a6G7gJzoW4J:blog.marmot.cc/archives/2004/10/29/no-gays-in-north-korea/+&hl=en&gl=ca&ct=clnk&cd=1 No gays in North Korea?] ". Retrieved May 5th, 2006.] It is therefore suspected that most North Korean homosexuals are conditioned or coerced into marriage without fully comprehending their feelings.

During the 1960s, North Korean youth brigades would voyage to Cuba to harvest sugar cane as a gesture of solidarity, though relations became strained as the Cuban government deported some youth brigades for homosexuality. [Pakistan Daily Times. " [http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_6-3-2003_pg4_12 Castro and Kim: Ill-suited comrades] ". Retrieved May 5th, 2006.]

The website of an official pro-North Korea group claims that the country has embraced science and rationalism and therefore recognizes that many people are born homosexual due to genetic factors. It also claims that the country has never oppressed homosexuals, unlike "many capitalist regimes around the world." [DPRK FAQ. " [http://www.korea-dpr.com/faq.htm#20 What is North Korea's stance on homosexuality?] ". Retrieved May 5th, 2006.] However, the website is often criticized for exaggerating the level of democratic and religious freedoms that can be exercised in North Korea, so it is unclear how accurate such statements about the treatment of homosexuals are.

See also

* Homosexuality laws of the world
* Human rights in North Korea

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • LGBT rights in Korea — may refer to: *LGBT rights in North Korea *LGBT rights in South Korea …   Wikipedia

  • North Korea — Democratic People s Republic of Korea 조선민주주의인민공화국 朝鮮民主主義人民共和國 Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk[1] …   Wikipedia

  • North Korea and weapons of mass destruction — North Korea Nuclear program start date 1956 First nuclear weapon test October 9, 2006 Last nuclear test …   Wikipedia

  • Outline of North Korea — …   Wikipedia

  • LGBT rights in Cyprus — Location of  Cyprus …   Wikipedia

  • LGBT rights in Singapore — This article is about LGBT rights in Singapore. For general LGBT topics in Singapore, see LGBT in Singapore. LGBT rights in Singapore Singapore Same sex sexual activity legal? Illegal between men …   Wikipedia

  • LGBT rights in Cambodia — Some aspects of LGBT rights are supported by law in Cambodia, including that homosexuality is legal. King Norodom Sihanouk in 2004 showed support for gay marriage, although this has not resulted in new laws to accommodate it. At present there are …   Wikipedia

  • Economy of North Korea — Economic centre of North Korea Currency North Korean won Fiscal year …   Wikipedia

  • List of LGBT rights organizations — around the world. Note that some organizations support certain rights while opposing others. International * [http://www.gsani.org Gay Straight Alliance Network International] (GSANI) *International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA)… …   Wikipedia

  • Socialism and LGBT rights — [ thumb|right|150px|Qiu Jin (1875 1907), Chinese left wing revolutionary cross dresser.] While gay rights is seen by many in the western world today as a left wing political issue, sexual minorities and gender variant people do not belong as a… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”