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LGBT Rights in North Korea

    Homosexuality
    N/A
    Gay Marriage
    ✖ Unrecognized
    Censorship
    ✖ State-enforced
    Changing Gender
    ✖ Illegal
    Non-binary gender recognition
    ✖ Not legally recognized
    Discrimination
    ✖ No protections
    Employment Discrimination
    ✖ No protections
    Housing Discrimination
    ✖ No protections
    Adoption
    ✖ Illegal
    Military
    ✖ Don't Ask, Don't Tell
    Donating Blood
    N/A
    Conversion Therapy
    N/A
    Age of Consent
    ✔ Equal

Public Opinion

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History

Homosexual activity in North Korea

?

Homosexual activity in North Korea is n/a.

Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
N/A
Contrary to popular belief, homosexuality is technically not against the law in North Korea, however, North Korea is a sexually conservative country, and this applies to sexuality anywhere on the spectrum. Overt shows of affection by anyone of any sexual orientation tend to be frowned upon. There are, however, claims that it is de facto illegal, but this has no official backing. (Date shown is the date of North Korean statehood.)

While punishment is rare, it has been reported by The Korean Times that North Korea has executed a lesbian couple for being influenced by capitalism and bringing corruption of public morals.

However, even though de jure homosexuality is not prohibited, de facto there were some cases of punishment for LGBT people

Same-sex marriage in North Korea

?

Same-sex marriage in North Korea is unrecognized.

Current status
Unrecognized
Depiction in media of affection in North Korea tend to be very rare, and no law against gay marriage exists in the constitution.
Added by bradcoffey106  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Censorship of LGBT Issues in North Korea

?

Censorship of LGBT Issues in North Korea is state-enforced.

Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
State-enforced
Censorship topics are all controlled by the government
Added by Hearts4Al  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Right to change legal gender in North Korea

?

Right to change legal gender in North Korea is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
No gender change laws in place, thus it is not possible to legally change one's gender in North Korea.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in North Korea

?

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in North Korea is not legally recognized.

Current status
Not legally recognized
No legal recognition of non-binary gender
Added by maddyksf  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT discrimination in North Korea

?

LGBT discrimination in North Korea is no protections.

Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
No protections
Because sexual orientation as a concept does not appear in North Korea law, there is no legal prohibition of discrimination by state and nonstate actors based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics.
Added by bradcoffey106  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT employment discrimination in North Korea

?

LGBT employment discrimination in North Korea is no protections.

Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
No protections
Because sexual orientation as a concept does not appear in North Korea law, there is no legal prohibition of discrimination by state and nonstate actors based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT housing discrimination in North Korea

?

LGBT housing discrimination in North Korea is no protections.

Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
No protections
Because sexual orientation as a concept does not appear in North Korea law, there is no legal prohibition of discrimination by state and nonstate actors based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Same-sex adoption in North Korea

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Same-sex adoption in North Korea is illegal.

Current status
Since 2020
Illegal
As of 2020, same-sex couples could not legally adopt children in North Korea.
Added by im_h_DEACTIVATED  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Serving openly in military in North Korea

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Serving openly in military in North Korea is don't ask, don't tell.

Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Some secondary sources claim it is a "Don't Ask Don't Tell" situation. But, based on a North Korean propaganda film from the year 2000, male homosexuality may be against the law in the military, including for prisoners of war. Information is extremely limited, because North Korea heavily censors LGBT content.
Sources:
Myers, B. R. The Cleanest Race: How North Koreans See Themselves and Why It Matters. Melville House, 2011.
Ultimately sourced from North Korean propaganda film, "Snowstorm in Pyongyang" (2000).
Hassig and Oh (2009) The Hidden People of North Korea
Martin (2006) Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader, p. 521
Added by Ratabzoo  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Until Jan 1, 1900
Illegal
Legal in North Korea
Sources:
www.wikimonde.fr
Added by lucashrz  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Blood donations by MSMs in North Korea

?

Blood donations by MSMs in North Korea is n/a.

Current status
N/A
Not enough is known about North Korea to know their stance on blood bans.
Sources:
No sources available.
Added by im_h_DEACTIVATED  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Conversion therapy in North Korea

?

Conversion therapy in North Korea is n/a.

Current status
N/A
Unknown, North Korea has known to be very Anti-LGBTQ though. However it has never been reported, North Korea is very hostile with new reporters. USA federally condemns people going to North Korea.
Sources:
North Korea is very hostile and new sources are unable to get into the country without a pass
Added by im_h_DEACTIVATED  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Equal age of consent in North Korea

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Equal age of consent in North Korea is equal.

Current status
Since 2009
Equal
Under the Article 295 of the North Korean Criminal Law, the age of consent is 15 irrespectively of gender of parties.
Added by James  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log


LGBT Rights by province

View the LGBT laws in each individual province of North Korea.