- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Not legal
- Censorship
- ✖ Other punishment
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Illegal
- Non-binary gender recognition
- N/A
- Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Illegal
- Military
- Ambiguous
- Donating Blood
- N/A
- Conversion Therapy
- N/A
- Age of Consent
- N/A
Suggest Public Opinion Data
Since Sep 14, 1948
Until -0001
Until -0001
History
Homosexual activity in North Korea is legal.
Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
Since Sep 14, 1948
Legal
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 date of North Korean statehood.)
While punishment is rare, it has been reported by The Korea Times that North Korea has executed a lesbian couple for being influenced by capitalism and bringing corruption of public morals.
While punishment is rare, it has been reported by The Korea Times that North Korea has executed a lesbian couple for being influenced by capitalism and bringing corruption of public morals.
Same-sex marriage in North Korea is not legal.
Current status
Not legal
Depiction in media of affection in North Korea tend to be very rare, and no law against gay marriage exists in the constitution.
Since Sep 14, 1948
Not legal
Article 193 outlaws the creation, distribution or possession of "decadent" culture.
Censorship of LGBT Issues in North Korea is other punishment.
Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
Since Sep 14, 1948
Other punishment
Sharing something of a sexual content is Illegal in North Korea. Penalty is Unknown.
Until -0001
Ambiguous
According to this source, although not necessarily punished by law, general discussion of homosexuality in state media is considered taboo.
Right to change legal gender in North Korea is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
No gender change laws in place but no laws against sex change are in place either.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in North Korea is n/a.
Current status
N/A
No legal recognition of non-binary gender
LGBT discrimination in North Korea is no protections.
Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
Since Sep 14, 1948
No protections
North Korea executes LGBTQ+ Members, because they are "influenced by capitalism".
LGBT employment discrimination in North Korea is no protections.
Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
Since Sep 14, 1948
No protections
North Korea executes LGBTQ+ Members, because they are "influenced by capitalism".
LGBT housing discrimination in North Korea is no protections.
Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
Since Sep 14, 1948
No protections
North Korea executes LGBTQ+ Members, because they are "influenced by capitalism".
Serving openly in military in North Korea is ambiguous.
Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
Since Sep 14, 1948
Ambiguous
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.
Until -0001
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
No information is provided on homosexual people in the military, as opposed to situational behavior, or whether top/bottom distinctions impact legality or enforcement.
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.
Conversion therapy in North Korea is n/a.
Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
Since Sep 14, 1948
N/A
No source about that.
Equal age of consent in North Korea is n/a.
Current status
N/A
Not available
Legal Rights
33 / 100
This region's Equality Index is based on legal rights alone. Please submit survey results that show the public opinion of LGBTQ+ issues in North Korea to help improve its accuracy.
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Alternative names: Choson Minjujuui In´min Konghwaguk (Bukhan) (local name)