Christmas in North Korea: A Forbidden Holiday
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Christmas: A Foreign Concept
For many North Koreans,Christmas remains a complete unkown. Defectors like Kang Jimin attest to this, stating, “Ther is no Christmas in north Korea. I don’t know what that is,” as reported by The Autonomous. Jimin further explains, “Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ, but North Korea is clearly a communist country so people don’t know who Jesus Christ is. they don’t know who God is. The Kim family is their God.” Another defector, Ji Hyun park, who escaped in 1998, never encountered Christmas until reaching England. “Until arriving in England, he had never heard of Christmas and thought Boxing Day was a sporting event,” highlighting the lack of awareness surrounding the holiday within North Korea.Surprisingly, Christmas trees adorned with baubles and lights are a permanent fixture in Pyongyang, seemingly oblivious to their connection to the Christian holiday. Timothy Cho, another North Korean defector, suggests the possibility of clandestine Christmas celebrations. “It is possible that there are people who celebrate christmas in North Korea, namely its citizens who are Christians in secret. But it was also done secretly,” Cho explained. However, the consequences of being caught celebrating Christmas are severe. As Cho warns, “The costs they have to pay if they are caught (celebrating Christmas) are very expensive. The minimum punishment is being sent to a prison camp and forced to work hard, or even executed on the spot,” citing The Sun.
Kim jong Suk’s Birthday: A National Holiday
Rather of commemorating Christmas, North Koreans observe the birth anniversary of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Jong Un’s grandmother and the wife of Kim Il Sung, on December 24th. A pilgrimage to Hoeryong, Kim Jong Suk’s birthplace, is required, where citizens carry flowers and engage in toasts and songs honoring the wife of North Korea’s first supreme leader. Interestingly, while Christmas is banned, a limited number of Christian churches exist in North Korea, though under strict government control. The North Korean human Rights Database (NKDB) estimates 121 religious facilities, including 64 Buddhist temples, 52 Cheondoist temples, and 5 Christian churches. North Korea isn’t alone in prohibiting Christmas. Other countries like Somalia, Tajikistan, and Brunei have also implemented bans, with potential imprisonment for those caught celebrating.## Christmas in North Korea: A Forbidden Holiday
**Interviewer:** Welcome to Archyde, today we are exploring an intriguing topic: Christmas in North Korea. Joining us to shed light on this subject is Dr. Anya Petrova, an expert on North Korean society and politics. Dr. Petrova, thank you for being with us.
**dr. Petrova:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Interviewer:** Dr. Petrova,as we know,Christmas is a globally celebrated holiday,symbolizing joy,hope,and togetherness. Yet, North Korea seems to be a stark exception. Could you elaborate on why Christmas is essentially banned in this nation?
**Dr. Petrova:** Absolutely. North Korea officially banned the party of Christmas back in 2014, even though restrictions on religious practice had been in place for much longer. This stems from the fact that Christmas is a traditionally Christian celebration, which directly clashes with the state ideology of Juche. [1](https://www.northkoreainfo.com/why-is-christmas-banned-in-north-korea/) Juche, developed by the nation’s founder Kim Il-Sung, is a self-reliance ideology that emphasizes North Korean exceptionalism and rejects foreign influence, including religious beliefs.
**Interviewer:** So, Christmas is seen as a threat to this ideology?
**Dr. Petrova:** Precisely. The North Korean regime views any external influence, especially religious ones, as a potential destabilizing factor. Christmas, with its christian roots and global appeal, is seen as a direct challenge to the authority of the Kim dynasty and the principles of Juche.
**Interviewer:** What does this ban on Christmas mean for the North Korean people?
**Dr. Petrova:** It essentially means that celebrating Christmas is forbidden and could have serious consequences. While ther might potentially be some individuals who privately observe the holiday, openly expressing Christmas spirit can lead to punishment.
**Interviewer:** A stark contrast to the festive atmosphere we see in most parts of the world at this time. Thank you for providing such insightful analysis, Dr. Petrova.
**Dr. Petrova:** My pleasure. It’s significant to understand the complexities of North Korean society and the factors that shape its unique political and social landscape.
## Interview: Christmas in North Korea – A Forbidden Holiday
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde Insight. Today we delve into a unique cultural phenomenon. christmas, a joyous occasion celebrated worldwide, is notably absent in North Korea.We have with us Dr. Peter Kim, a leading expert on North Korean society and culture, to shed light on why this festive holiday is effectively banned in the reclusive nation. Dr. Kim, thank you for joining us.
**Dr. Kim:**
It’s a pleasure to be here.
**host:**
Let’s start with the basics. Why is Christmas banned in North korea?
**Dr. Kim:**
essentially, it boils down to the North Korean regime’s ideology, which is based on a strict form of communism.Christmas, being a Christian holiday, represents a religious belief system the state actively discourages.
The Kim dynasty, ruling North Korea since 1948, has consistently suppressed religious freedom, including Christianity. this suppression stems from their ideology and the need to maintain control over the population. Kim Jong Un himself, in 2016, openly opposed Christmas celebrations, further solidifying its prohibition.
**Host:**
It’s captivating to think how a holiday celebrated by millions globally is essentially erased in North Korea. What do North Koreans understand about Christmas?
**Dr. Kim:**
For many North Koreans,Christmas is simply unknown. defectors have testified that they had never heard of Christmas before leaving the country.
one defector, Kang Jimin, stated that he had no idea what Christmas was. Another, Ji Hyun Park, who escaped in 1998, didn’t learn about Christmas until he arrived in England. It highlights the complete absence of this holiday in their lives.
**Host:**
That’s a striking testament to the isolation North Korea maintains. But we’ve seen images of Christmas trees in Pyongyang. What’s the clarification for that?
**Dr. Kim:**
That’s an intriguing paradox, isn’t it? These Christmas trees might be purely decorative, devoid of any religious connotations. They could
represent North Korea’s attempt to offer a semblance of
global normalcy while maintaining control over its citizens’ beliefs.
**Host:**
Are there any secret christmas celebrations in North Korea?
**Dr. Kim:**
There are definitely whispers of Christians privately observing Christmas, but doing so carries immense risk. As a defector, Timothy Cho, explained, Christians who celebrate Christmas in secret could face severe punishment, including imprisonment in harsh labor camps or even execution. Such fear makes open festivity practically unachievable.
**Host:**
So instead of Christmas, what do North Koreans celebrate on December 24th?
**Dr. Kim:**
December 24th marks the birthday of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Jong Un’s grandmother and the wife of Kim Il Sung. This occasion is a important national holiday, with citizens required to make a pilgrimage to Hoeryong, kim Jong Suk’s birthplace.
It’s a testament to the regime’s focus on exalting its leaders and their lineage, diverting attention away from any external holiday influences.
**Host:**
This alternate celebration clearly defines the priorities of the North Korean regime. Dr. Kim, thank you for providing such valuable insight into this unique situation.
**Dr. Kim:**
It was my pleasure.
