North Korea, under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, has imposed yet another unusual law, this time targeting the use of red lipstick among its citizens. The ban on red lipstick, reported by Indian news media NDTV on Monday, is emblematic of the regime's staunch opposition to capitalist influences.
Despite the historical association of red with communism, Kim Jong Un's administration perceives red lipstick as a symbol of capitalism, contrary to communist ideology. The ban is part of a broader crackdown on Western influences, with heavy makeup being frowned upon as a sign of foreign influence.
In North Korea, where minimal makeup is encouraged for women, the allure of red lipstick is viewed with suspicion by the government, as it is perceived to make women too attractive. Beyond cosmetics, the regime extends its prohibitions to various aspects of personal and social life, targeting products and practices associated with capitalist ideology.
Among the banned items are blue jeans, body piercings, and certain hairstyles deemed inappropriate by the regime, including mullets and long hair for women. Citizens are restricted to government-approved hairstyles, with even Kim Jong Un's signature swept-back hairstyle banned to prevent emulation.
Enforcement of these restrictions falls to a specialized unit known as the "fashion police," tasked with monitoring compliance and ensuring adherence to the regime's dictates. The measures reflect the regime's tight control over its citizens' personal choices and expression, reinforcing its commitment to ideological purity and resistance against perceived foreign influences.
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