LGBT rights in North Korea
LGBT rights in North Korea  |
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.svg) North Korea |
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| Same-sex sexual activity legal? | Not specifically outlawed |
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Penalty:
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Unknown |
| Gender identity/expression | Unknown |
| Military service | 10-year celibacy required[1] |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships |
No recognition of same-sex relationships |
| Adoption | – |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in North Korea have never been the subject of any known political movement or legislation. North Korean society is conservative with regard to sexual matters in general, and media portrayals of homosexuality typically associate it with capitalist decadence. While there does not appear to be any specific law against homosexual relationships or acts, these are viewed as filthy and beneath the dignity of the Korean people.
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[edit] Criminal laws
The Korean Friendship Association, which is sponsored by the DPRK government, represents its position:
Due to tradition in Korean culture, it is not customary for individuals of any sexual orientation to engage in public displays of affection. As a country that has embraced science and rationalism, the DPRK recognizes that many individuals are born with homosexuality as a genetic trait and treats them with due respect. Homosexuals in the DPRK have never been subject to repression, as in many capitalist regimes around the world. However, North Koreans also place a lot of emphasis on social harmony and morals. Therefore, the DPRK rejects many characteristics of the popular gay culture in the West, which many perceive to embrace consumerism, classism and promiscuity.[2]
It is unclear what the age of consent, if any, for homosexual activity is. Article 153 of the criminal law states that a man who has sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 15 shall be "punished gravely," but the law is unclear about the age of consent for boys or for same-sex sexual activity.
[edit] Family law
North Korea does not recognize same-sex marriages, civil unions or domestic partnership benefits. Most North Koreans face strong social pressure to marry a suitable person of the opposite sex, with the government rarely allowing for divorce.[3]
[edit] Censorship
The North Korean governments censors all forms of the press, publication, communication and other forms of mass media. North Koreans who have since defected have stated that homosexuality is not talked about publicly, and that most gay North Koreans are pressured to marry someone of the opposite sex.[4] Voice of America's Korean Service noted that homosexuality is a forbidden topic to discuss in the nation.[5]
[edit] Military
The Korean People's Army mandates celibacy during the first 10 years of service for all enlistees.[1] Male soldiers regularly break this rule with secret heterosexual trysts or rapes, and through homosexual activities within the armed services. These homosexual relationships have been described as situational sexual behavior rather than a natural orientation.[6]
[edit] Politics
No political party or organization is permitted to exist, without formal approval by the government. Neither of the two permitted, government run political parties have made any sort of formal statement on LGBT-rights. No laws are known to exist to address sexual orientation or gender identity based discrimination or harassment.
North Korea opposed both the UN declaration on sexual orientation and gender identity, which called for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality, and the exclusion of sexual orientation as discriminatory grounds for execution.[7] Its precise reasons for doing so remain unclear.
North Korean propaganda has occasionally portrayed homosexuality as a characteristic of western (and particularly American) moral degeneracy. In the short story "Snowstorm in Pyongyang" (평양에서 눈보라, published 2000), captured crewmen of the USS Pueblo implore their North Korean captors to allow them to engage in gay sex.[8]
"Captain, sir, homosexuality is how I fulfill myself as a person. Since it does no harm to your esteemed government or esteemed nation, it is unfair for Jonathan and me to be prevented from doing something that is part of our private life."
[The North Korean soldier responds,] "This is the territory of our republic, where people enjoy lives befitting human beings. On this soil none of that sort of activity will be tolerated."— "Snowstorm in Pyongyang", 2000
[edit] AIDS/HIV
Officially, the government claims that AIDS has not reached North Korea. The government has permitted some United Nations NGOs to educate health care workers about the pandemic, but it would seem that no public discussion of the pandemic is permitted.[9]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
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- ^ a b Hassig and Oh (2009) The Hidden People of North Korea
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ [4]
- ^ Martin (2006) Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader, p. 521
- ^ http://news.pinkpaper.com/NewsStory/4319/18/11/2010/countries-vote-to-accept-execution-of-gays.aspx
- ^ Meyers, Brian R. The Cleanest Race. Melville House Publishing, 2010, chapter 5
- ^ [5]
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