LGBT rights in North Korea

The status of gay rights in North Korea is unclear due to the country's tendency towards secrecy regarding its internal affairs. Though homosexuality is not officially criminal in North Korea, the government condemns the practice as a vice caused by the decadence of capitalist society, and denounces Western gay culture as promoting consumerism, classism, and promiscuity. [Global Gayz. " [http://www.globalgayz.com/northkorea-news.html Gay North Korea News & Reports 2005] ". Retrieved May 5th, 2006.] "Violating the rules of collective socialist life" can be punished with up to 2 years imprisonment. [Spartacus International Gay Guide, page 1217. Bruno Gmunder Verlag, 2007.] It is unclear whether this code of conduct is implemented to punish homosexuals.

North Korean defectors claim that homosexuality is simply not discussed in the country, and most have no idea of the existence of such sexual practices until leaving. [The Marmot’s Hole (Google Cache). " [http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:7a6G7gJzoW4J:blog.marmot.cc/archives/2004/10/29/no-gays-in-north-korea/+&hl=en&gl=ca&ct=clnk&cd=1 No gays in North Korea?] ". Retrieved May 5th, 2006.] It is therefore suspected that most North Korean homosexuals are conditioned or coerced into marriage without fully comprehending their feelings.

During the 1960s, North Korean youth brigades would voyage to Cuba to harvest sugar cane as a gesture of solidarity, though relations became strained as the Cuban government deported some youth brigades for homosexuality. [Pakistan Daily Times. " [http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_6-3-2003_pg4_12 Castro and Kim: Ill-suited comrades] ". Retrieved May 5th, 2006.]

The website of an official pro-North Korea group claims that the country has embraced science and rationalism and therefore recognizes that many people are born homosexual due to genetic factors. It also claims that the country has never oppressed homosexuals, unlike "many capitalist regimes around the world." [DPRK FAQ. " [http://www.korea-dpr.com/faq.htm#20 What is North Korea's stance on homosexuality?] ". Retrieved May 5th, 2006.] However, the website is often criticized for exaggerating the level of democratic and religious freedoms that can be exercised in North Korea, so it is unclear how accurate such statements about the treatment of homosexuals are.

See also

* Homosexuality laws of the world
* Human rights in North Korea

References