Source says "If North Koreans watch South Korean videos or imitate their speech, the maximum penalty is death"

Youth Public Criticism Meeting Imitating Han
"Minors Warned of Death Penalty if Watching Korean Dramas"

A gathering of youth and students in Pyongyang Youth Park to vow revenge on the 72nd anniversary of the Korean War [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] It has been reported that North Korea held public criticism meetings targeting youths who watch Korean movies or use Korean-style speech.

According to multiple local sources, at the criticized meeting, a government proclamation was announced stating that minors who watch or distribute Korean movies or dramas could face the death penalty at a labor training camp, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on the 23rd.

A source from Yanggang Province said, "From 3:30 PM to 5 PM on the 22nd, a criticism meeting for anti-socialist actors was held at the Hyesan City Education Hall," adding, "In front of cadres from the Women's League, Agricultural Workers' League, schools, the Party, and judicial institutions from each neighborhood in the city, the crimes of youth anti-socialist actors were exposed and criticized."

Anti-American mass rally held by North Korea on the 72nd anniversary of the Korean War at the Education Square of the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum in Pyongyang [Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "The targets of exposure and criticism were eight students, including senior high school graduates, technical school students, and vocational school students," and "The parents of these students also made self-criticisms on stage for improperly educating their children, and principals and homeroom teachers participated in critical discussions. Two teachers (homeroom teachers) from Hyewha High School were dismissed on the spot for failing to properly manage the students," he testified.

In North Korea, the age of senior high school graduating students is only 17, and the average age of vocational school students is also known to be 20 to 21 years old.

The source added, "The city safety chief emphasized that some of those exposed will face legal punishment while others will be forgiven, and that strong legal sanctions will be imposed in the future for using puppet speech and remnants."

It is known that in North Korea, if caught watching one Korean movie, one can be sentenced to five years in prison; watching one 10-episode drama series is considered equivalent to watching ten movies and results in a life sentence. Additionally, viewing Korean photos or paintings leads to forced labor sentences ranging from six months to one year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.