- Homosexuality
- ⚢Ambiguous
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Unrecognized
- Censorship
- ✖ State-enforced
- Changing Gender
- N/A
- Non-binary gender recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- Unknown
- Military
- Don't Ask, Don't Tell
- Donating Blood
- Unknown
- Conversion Therapy
- Unknown
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
Suggest Public Opinion Data
Until -0001
History
Homosexual activity in North Korea is ambiguous.
Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
Since Sep 14, 1948
Ambiguous
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.)
(Date shown is date of North Korean statehood.)
Same-sex marriage in North Korea is unrecognized.
Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
Since Sep 14, 1948
Unrecognized
North Korean depictions of love and marriage remain heterosexist however, the North Korean government has liberalized its views on marriage and love as private matters between consenting adults.
Censorship of LGBT Issues in North Korea is state-enforced.
Current status
State-enforced
The North Korean government heavily restricts its media. This naturally includes discussion of the LGBTQ community.
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 n/a.
Current status
N/A
No gender change laws in place
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in North Korea is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Not possible
LGBT discrimination in North Korea is no protections.
Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
Since Sep 14, 1948
No protections
The North Korean Constitution states that all citizens are equal but it is unclear if this equality is extended to LGBT citizens, however this is not backed by any legal resources or human accounts.
LGBT employment discrimination in North Korea is no protections.
Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
Since Sep 14, 1948
No protections
The North Korean Constitution states that all citizens are equal but it is unclear if this equality is extended to LGBT citizens.
LGBT housing discrimination in North Korea is no protections.
Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
Since Sep 14, 1948
No protections
The North Korean Constitution states that all citizens are equal but it is unclear if this equality is extended to LGBT citizens.
Serving openly in military in North Korea is don't ask, don't tell.
Current status
Since Sep 14, 1948
Since Sep 14, 1948
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
North Koreans serving in the military are required to maintain 10 (ten) years of celibacy . Homosexual behavior in the military has been described as situational behavior rather than a genuine behavior. Therefore, with no other appropriate label, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is assumed to be the most accurate status.
Blood donations by MSMs in North Korea is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Conversion therapy in North Korea is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Equal age of consent in North Korea is equal.
Current status
Equal
The North Korean age of consent is set at 15 regardless of sexuality. There are claims that the age of consent varies, but no official North Korean sources back these claims.
Legal Rights
18 / 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)