Countries against North Korea primarily include the United States, South Korea, Japan, and the European Union, with many others like Australia, Canada, and Israel also imposing sanctions due to its nuclear program, human rights abuses, and provocative actions, though some nations like China and Russia maintain closer ties. These nations, often aligned with the UN Security Council, implement sanctions and diplomatic pressure to curb North Korea's weapons development.
North Korea was the most sanctioned country in the world before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. North Korea has had many sanctions from various countries such as the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Norway, India, Israel, South Korea, and Japan.
The war reached international proportions in June 1950 when North Korea, supplied and advised by the Soviet Union, invaded the South. The United Nations, with the United States as the principal participant, joined the war on the side of the South Koreans, and the People's Republic of China came to North Korea's aid.
In the past, the country's foreign relations were marked by its conflict with South Korea and its historical ties to the Soviet Union. Both the government of North Korea and the government of South Korea claim to be the sole legitimate government of the whole of Korea.
The only country that North Korea restricts visitors from is South Korea (the Republic of Korea), whose citizens need special permission (from both governments).
While some countries may have threatened to ban the sale of Coca-Cola, and in certain countries this has actually been enforced for certain periods of time, today there are just two countries in the world where the soda cannot be bought or sold – Cuba and North Korea.
Introduction. While McDonald's is a global icon, the fast-food giant does not have a presence in many countries worldwide. There are 123 countries where McDonald's has not set up a restaurant yet, including Afghanistan, Bhutan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, and North Korea, among many others.
Legality of same-sex sexual activity
As of 2025, there is no North Korean law that recognizes same-sex marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships. Additionally, Article 8 of the Family Law of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea states that "Marriage may be done only between one man and one woman".
China and North Korea established formal relations in 1949, emerging as new communist countries in the years following World War II. China supported North Korea in the Korean War (1950–53), and the two countries signed a mutual defense treaty in 1961, China's only one to date.
No, girls (and citizens in general) cannot wear blue jeans in North Korea; they are banned as a symbol of "capitalistic" and "imperialistic" Western culture, with authorities enforcing restrictions on tight-fitting clothing, logos, and certain styles to maintain ideological purity and conformity, although enforcement can be inconsistent and vary. While black, loose-fitting trousers might be tolerated, blue jeans, ripped styles, and skinny jeans are strictly forbidden, with violations leading to punishment, reports Radio Free Asia and The Guardian say.
In 1961, the two countries signed the Sino-North Korean Mutual Aid and Cooperation Friendship Treaty, whereby China pledged to immediately render military and other assistance by all means to its ally against any outside attack. This agreement was renewed in 1981, 2001 and 2021.
North Korea views the U.S. as an imperialist aggressor due to historical occupation and influence. The division of Korea post-World War II laid the foundation for North Korea's anti-U.S. sentiments. U.S. military presence in South Korea is seen by North Korea as a barrier to reunification.
North Korea
A few highly isolated countries impose near-total bans on Google due to their extreme control over the internet. North Korea is the best known, extreme example: ordinary North Korean citizens have no access to the global internet at all, and thus cannot reach Google services.
This is sometimes referred to in China as the xianhan (dislike of Korea) sentiment, which some have argued has been evoked by perceived Korean arrogance that has challenged the sense of superiority that the Chinese have traditionally associated with their 5,000-year-old civilization.
In addition, since 2006 Australia has imposed autonomous sanctions in relation to the DPRK, which complement the UNSC sanctions. The autonomous sanctions were imposed in response to Australia's concerns about the nature of the DPRK's nuclear, weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and proliferation programs.
“You can't kiss in public places, it's not illegal but it's not cultural practice,” he recalls. ”You're also not supposed to have sex before you are married.” Inevitably, young people found ways of being intimate with each other. “Parents are often at work all day so couples will go to their house.
The "forbidden 5th floor" refers to a restricted, unlisted floor in Pyongyang's Yanggakdo International Hotel, missing from elevator panels, rumored to house North Korean surveillance operations (CCTV monitoring, phone taps, communications equipment) for hotel guests, featuring propaganda posters, and often accessed by curious tourists via stairwells before tour operators added warnings after the Otto Warmbier incident, making it a symbol of North Korea's secretive control over foreigners.
In North Korea, three major restrictions include consuming foreign media/accessing the global internet, criticizing the leadership or government, and leaving the country without permission, with other prohibitions covering specific hairstyles, photography of non-tourist sites, and altering government-issued electronics.
Since middle- and upper-class individuals are allowed to live in cities, Western-style restaurants have become popular in Pyongyang. Restaurants serve pizza with traditional toppings, as well as local varieties like kimchi pizza. All restaurants, including pizzerias, serve familiar dishes in North Korean cuisine.
North Korea and Cuba are the only two countries where Coca-Cola is not officially sold, due to long- standing U.S. trade embargoes. These sanctions have prevented the Coca-Cola Company from officially operating in Cuba since 1962 and in North Korea since 1950.
North Korea has its own fried chicken, and Chicken Specialised Restaurant in Pyongyang is the first restaurant to serve deep-fried and crispy chicken2. To many foreigners, this restaurant has become known simply as 'KFC'2.
Average Wages
Official Salary: This is typically between 5,000 and 10,000 North Korean won (KPW) per month, which translates to roughly $1-3 USD based on black market exchange rates [source for North Korea average salary].
Technically it is not permitted to take North Korean currency out of the country. If it is found on your person or in your luggage by the DPRK immigration, the officers will politely inform you it's not allowed and you will need to forfeit the cash.