People, places and things beyond headlines

Which Kim is this — the one in the Netflix series?
No, no, this is the real deal — Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader.

What’s his beef with jeans? Is he taking inspiration from our khaps?
It’s not just jeans, actually. He recently wrote a letter in state media calling for a crackdown on “unsavoury, individualistic, anti-socialist behaviour” among North Korea’s youth. He described foreign speech, hairstyles and clothes, including jeans, as “dangerous poisons”.


Why is he suddenly cracking the whip?
When Covid struck, North Korea tightened its borders and life within became tougher, with less supplies. Analysts say Kim is trying harder than ever to stop outside information reaching citizens, as the situation worsens. One expert says it’s to “shatter” the dreams any youth may have about South Korea.

Have any youngsters been hauled up, under these new rules?
According to the Daily NK, a digital publication, three teenagers were sent to a “re-education camp” for cutting their hair like K-pop stars and hemming their trousers above their ankles.

Ahh.. so K-pop and K-dramas have crossed the border?
Yes, by hook or by crook — or USBs! People used to go to great lengths to watch South Korean films but then the regime began to take note. Those who were caught would be sent to labour camps. An exile who made it out says over half the young people in labour camps now would be there because they watched foreign media.

This all sounds rather grim and in fact, khap-like…
Indeed — let’s hope they’re not reading this and get inspired!

Text: Indulekha Aravind