North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un grimases during a press confernce in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Photo by Contributor/Getty Images)
(EPICSTORIAN) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has imposed yet another controversial set of laws, banning the consumption of hotdogs and ordering the imprisonment of divorcing couples.
The measures, part of his ongoing campaign against Western influences and “anti-socialist” behavior, underscore the leader’s tightening grip on the nation.
According to local sources, the regime has declared hotdogs—a globally beloved fast food item—“too Western” and treasonous. Vendors and home cooks caught preparing or selling the dish face severe penalties, including labor camp sentences. Speaking to The Sun, a food vendor from the northern province of Ryanggang confirmed, “Sales of budae-jjigae in the market have stopped.” The dish, a Korean-American fusion of sausage, kimchi, and Spam, has similarly been outlawed due to its ties to capitalist culture.
North Korean police have reportedly been sweeping markets to enforce the ban, threatening anyone defying the order. A local resident described the enforcement as a blatant attack on personal freedoms: “The crackdown feels harsher this time. People fear even having the ingredients at home.”
Kim Jong Un Declared Divorce Now Punishable by Labor Camps
In an equally draconian move, Kim Jong Un has ordered divorcing couples to serve up to six months in labor camps. The regime now considers the dissolution of marriage an “anti-socialist crime.” Until recently, only the spouse initiating the divorce faced punishment. However, under the new rules, both parties are sent to labor camps following the court’s decision.
A Ryanggang province resident detailed the shocking turn of events: “I attended a divorce hearing at the Kimjongsuk County People’s Court. Immediately after the verdict, all 12 individuals were transferred to labor training camps.” Women, according to reports, may face even harsher sentences than men.
The harsh measures have reportedly arisen in response to a surge in divorce rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial strains and prolonged lockdowns pushed many couples to their breaking point. Despite the looming threat of imprisonment and public shaming, the rate of divorces remains stubbornly high.
Anti-Western Sentiment Driving New Policies
The crackdown on hotdogs and divorce is the latest in Kim Jong Un’s long-standing campaign to eliminate Western cultural influences. The North Korean regime has frequently portrayed capitalist ideals as corrupt and detrimental to its socialist values. By targeting seemingly trivial aspects of daily life—like food and personal relationships—the leadership sends a clear signal that no domain is beyond its control.
Political analysts argue that these measures serve as a distraction from mounting internal problems, including food shortages and economic instability. “Kim Jong Un’s government is doubling down on cultural purges to maintain ideological purity,” said a South Korean expert on North Korea. “But it’s also a convenient way to suppress dissent.”
A Glimpse Into Kim’s Succession Plan
While implementing these sweeping reforms, Kim Jong Un also continues to fuel speculation about his successor. Appearing alongside his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, during a New Year’s celebration, the leader provided another indication that she might one day assume his role. Footage from the event showed Kim and his beaming daughter walking down a red carpet before a jubilant crowd.
State media described Ju Ae, believed to be 12 years old, as a “great person of guidance.” Such language has historically been reserved for North Korea’s top leaders and their chosen heirs. The young girl’s public appearances, which began with a missile launch in late 2022, are seen as deliberate efforts to build her image domestically and abroad.
Despite these gestures, questions remain about whether the patriarchal system of North Korea will accept a female leader. Analysts suggest Kim’s moves aim to normalize Ju Ae’s role within the ruling elite and lay groundwork for her eventual ascension.
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As Kim Jong Un solidifies his control with increasingly authoritarian policies, the plight of North Korean citizens grows dire. From cultural bans to labor camps, the Supreme Leader’s unyielding rule continues to stoke international condemnation.
