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10 normal things that are banned in North Korea

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North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country shrouded in secrecy.

Run by the Kim family for generations, the government maintains strict control over its citizens’ lives. This control extends to many aspects of everyday life, with even seemingly harmless activities being banned or heavily restricted.

Here are ten such examples and the reasons behind these restrictions:

Imagine a world without Google, social media, or even online news. In North Korea, access to the global internet is tightly controlled by the government. Citizens have access to a heavily censored internal network, but connecting to the outside world is strictly prohibited. The government fears the spread of information that might challenge its authority.

Korea maintains a tense relationship with its southern neighbour, South Korea. As a result, all forms of South Korean media, including movies, music, and TV shows, are banned. The government worries that exposure to South Korean culture could weaken its control and spark ideas of unification.

North Koreans don’t have the freedom to travel freely within their own country, let alone abroad. Internal movement is restricted, and citizens need permits to travel between cities. Leaving the country is nearly impossible for ordinary citizens. The government fears defection and the spread of information about life outside North Korea.

While North Korea officially allows for freedom of religion, in reality, it’s heavily restricted. The government promotes a personality cult around the Kim family, and citizens are expected to show absolute loyalty. Religious practices that could compete with this loyalty are discouraged or even banned.

Mobile phone use is increasing in North Korea, but it’s heavily monitored. Phones typically only allow calls and texts within the country’s internal network. Accessing foreign content or making international calls is strictly prohibited.

North Korea has strict regulations on appearance. Men’s haircuts are limited to a few approved styles, and dyed hair is forbidden. Women’s clothing is expected to be modest and knee-length. These restrictions aim to promote social conformity and discourage individuality.

While North Koreans do smile, there are times when public displays of happiness are discouraged, particularly during periods of mourning or hardship. Images of past leaders are treated with utmost reverence, and sombre expressions are expected during visits to memorials. However, during celebrations and official events, enthusiastic smiles are encouraged.

Jeans and other Western clothing styles are often associated with American culture, which the North Korean government demonises. While some Western styles might be tolerated in major cities, wearing them can attract unwanted attention from authorities, especially outside of urban areas.

The North Korean economy is centrally controlled by the government. Private businesses are largely banned, and most citizens work for state-owned enterprises. This limits economic opportunities and discourages individual initiative.

The most serious offence on this list is any criticism of the government or the Kim family. North Koreans are expected to show absolute loyalty to their leaders. Even a whisper of dissent can lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment in labour camps for the offender and their extended family.

Punishments for violating these restrictions can vary depending on the severity of the offence. Minor infractions might result in fines or public humiliation. More serious offences, such as watching South Korean media or attempting to flee the country, can lead to imprisonment in harsh labour camps, or even execution.

Why these restrictions exist
The North Korean government justifies these restrictions as being necessary to maintain national security and social order.

They fear the spread of information that could challenge their authority or lead to calls for reform. However, these restrictions severely limit the freedoms of North Korean citizens and paint a picture of a country where basic human rights are not respected.

World

Trump imposes 25% tariffs on Colombia after US deportation flights were denied entry

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US President Donald Trump has imposed 25 percent tariffs on Colombia after its president barred two military planes carrying deported migrants from landing in the country.

Earlier today on his official X page, Colombian President Gustavo Petro had denied entry to US military planes carrying deported migrants into the country.

“The US cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals,” Petro posted.

“I deny the entry of American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory.

“The United States must establish a protocol for the dignified treatment of migrants before we receive them.”

US officials told the BBC on Sunday, that two military planes from San Diego were due to land in Colombia with migrant deportees, but the plans were scrapped due to complications.

Speaking on the matter in a post on Truth Social, Trump said emergency tariffs “on all goods” entering the US from Colombia would be implemented “immediately”.

Trump said the 25 percent tariffs would be increased to 50 percent in a week.

The president said the US would impose a travel ban and “immediate visa revocations” on Colombian government officials.

Trump also said there would be visa sanctions on Colombian government supporters, and enhanced customs and border protection inspections “of all Colombian nationals and cargo on national security grounds”.

“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump added.

The US president said his administration would not allow the Colombian government “to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the criminals they forced into the United States”.

During the campaigns for the US presidential elections, Trump had promised to carry out “mass deportations” of illegal migrants.

The president signed multiple executive orders related to immigration on his first day in office.

Some of Trump’s executive orders were signed to expand immigration and customs enforcement’s (ICE) ability to arrest and detain unlawful migrants on US soil.

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US lawmaker introduces bill seeking third term for Trump

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A Republican house member has introduced a bill seeking to allow US President Donald Trump to run for a third term.

Andy Ogles, the representative, initiated the resolution on Thursday.

The US Constitution does not permit anyone to be elected to the office of the president more than twice.

Ogles’ resolution seeks to revise this to read: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times … ”

According to the lawmaker, Trump “has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nation’s decay and restoring America to greatness, and he must be given the time necessary to accomplish that goal”.

“It is imperative that we provide President Trump with every resource necessary to correct the disastrous course set by the Biden administration,” Ogles said in a statement.

“He is dedicated to restoring the republic and saving our country, and we, as legislators and as states, must do everything in our power to support him.

“I am proposing an amendment to the Constitution to revise the limitations imposed by the 22nd Amendment on presidential terms.”

Trump previously dismissed insinuations that he would seek a third term. However, after winning the 2024 presidential election, he light-heartedly hinted that he would be open to a third term during a chat with Republican lawmakers.

“I suspect I won’t be running again, unless you do something,” Trump had said.

“Unless you say, ‘he’s so good, we have to just figure it out.’”

Ogles praised Trump’s slew of executive orders signed on the first day of his second coming, including the handling of the southern border, restricting gender identities to male and female, energy production, and withdrawing from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The 22nd Amendment was proposed in 1947 and adopted in 1951. It was ratified to prevent the President Franklin Roosevelt scenario.

Roosevelt ran for the presidency and won four times (1933-1945). He died in 1945, less than 90 days after his fourth inauguration.

Afterwards, Americans welcomed George Washington’s proposition that any president who served more than two terms would likely gravitate to a king or dictator.

Washington is the founding father of the United States and the country’s first president.

Republicans currently hold a three-seat majority in the US house of representatives.

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Trump’s official portrait sparks mixed reactions on social media

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The official portrait of the US President-elect, Donald Trump, has been unveiled.

Daniel Torok, the president-elect’s chief photographer, shared the photo in an X post on Thursday alongside that of Vice-President-elect JD Vance.

“We are entering the GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA!” Torok captioned the starkly contrasting photos of Trump and Vance.

As Vance struck a relaxed pose, smiling for the camera, Trump opted for a stern, unyielding stare.

The brightly lit photo is also a departure from his 2017 portrait where he smiled warmly.

The president-elect’s stare closely mirrored his mugshot after leaving jail in 2023.

In the mugshot, the 78-year-old stared menacingly at the camera with furrowed brows and a clenched jaw.

He was the first US former president to have their mugshot taken.

The photograph sparked a fundraising bonanza, appearing on t-shirts and mugs. It soon became the physical characterisation of Trump as a politically motivated prosecuted victim.

Trump’s transition team said the official photographs “go hard.” The pair will be sworn in on Monday.

Social media users had mixed reactions to the presidential pose.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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