Junior Rasmussen
North Korea has been accused of cracking down on wedding dresses and other customs deemed to be influenced by South Korean culture. The government has released guidelines for weddings, which include instructions for clothing, flowers, and photography. While wedding dresses are not explicitly illegal, North Korean authorities have warned against wearing white wedding dresses, sunglasses, and veils, as these are considered signs of outside cultural influence. The government has also advised against extravagant banquets, large flower arrangements, and long vehicle processions, encouraging humble and patriotic affairs instead.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dresses | Traditional, colourful attire; no wedding veils |
| Wedding photos | No photos of the bride and groom clinking glasses, the bride lighting a cigarette for the groom, or the groom lifting the bride |
| Flowers | No large flowers worn on the bride's head or chest |
| Wedding processions | No long vehicle processions |
| Wedding gifts | Rice cookers, items to make a home, money |
| Wedding venues | Wedding restaurants, hotels, or public places |
| Wedding days | Sundays and public holidays; not 15 April or 16 February, the birthdays of former leaders |
| Wedding entertainment | Karaoke, singing North Korean pop songs |
| Wedding lectures | Residents are lectured on the types of poses to use in wedding photos and the choice of flowers |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding dresses, photos, and veils
Wedding traditions in North Korea have been influenced by the government and the Workers' Party, which often intervene in wedding celebrations. The country's wedding guidelines discourage extravagant celebrations and mandate that weddings should be humble, "patriotic" affairs that embrace traditional North Korean ideals.
Wedding Dresses
North Korea has been cracking down on wedding dresses, particularly white wedding dresses, which are seen as a sign of outside cultural influence from South Korea. The country's wedding guidelines advise women to wear traditional, colourful attire, while men can wear Western suits. Brides are also discouraged from wearing large flowers in their hair or on their chests, as well as clothing with visible foreign characters or brand logos.
Wedding Photos
Wedding photos in North Korea are expected to be formal and follow specific guidelines. Couples are urged to avoid photos that depict behaviour not considered appropriate in North Korean culture. This includes photos of the groom lifting the bride above his waist, the bride and groom clinking wine glasses, or the bride lighting a cigarette for the groom. Photos of the couple paying respect to the leaders' monuments are also common, as it is customary to take wedding photos at these locations. In addition, wedding attendees are discouraged from missing work to attend ceremonies and are advised to go after work instead.
Wedding Veils
Wedding veils are no longer allowed in North Korean weddings, according to the country's wedding guidelines. This is part of the crackdown on extravagant wedding practices and the promotion of humble, traditional celebrations.
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Foreign influence and culture
North Korea has been accused of carrying out a widespread crackdown on foreign influence and culture, including wedding customs. The country is attempting to counter the influence of South Korean culture, which appears to be seeping into North Korean society. This is seen as a threat to the ideology that demands absolute loyalty to the ruling Kim dynasty.
North Korea has released guidelines for weddings, which include instructions on how to dress and behave in a way that embraces traditional North Korean ideals. For example, women should wear traditional, colourful attire, and men can wear Western suits. Brides are discouraged from wearing wedding veils, large flowers in their hair, or clothing with foreign letters or brand logos. The groom should not lift the bride on his back, and photos of the couple clinking wine glasses or the bride lighting a cigarette for the groom are also discouraged. These behaviours are seen as anti-socialist and not in the North Korean style.
The government also intervenes in other aspects of weddings, such as the date and location. Weddings cannot take place on the birthdays of former leaders, and couples often take photos at monuments to pay respect to the leaders and the Workers' Party. Weddings are usually held in public places like restaurants or hotels, and guests bring gifts that are useful for the home, such as rice cookers, or give money. Karaoke is also an essential part of the entertainment, with guests and the newlyweds singing North Korean pop songs.
North Korea's attempts to control foreign influence extend beyond weddings. There are reports of increased searches of homes and people's phones for signs of outside culture, including South Korean slang in messages and contacts. Fashion items, such as sunglasses, have also been deemed counter-revolutionary, despite being worn by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Watching or distributing South Korean entertainment is punishable by death under a 2020 law.
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Government intervention
Wedding practices in North Korea have been subject to government intervention, with authorities imposing restrictions and guidelines that reflect traditional North Korean ideals and values. The government's involvement in weddings is part of a broader effort to counter the influence of South Korean culture and maintain ideological control.
One of the most notable interventions is the crackdown on wedding dresses, specifically the wearing of white wedding dresses, which are perceived as a South Korean custom. According to reports, North Korean officials have been conducting searches of homes since 2021, looking for signs of outside culture, including the presence of white wedding dresses. This intervention is part of a wider censorship campaign targeting various aspects of North Korean society, including weddings, slang, and fashion items such as sunglasses.
The North Korean government has issued specific guidelines for weddings, aiming to promote humility and discourage extravagance. These guidelines prohibit fancy photo shoots, wedding veils, and extravagant banquets. Couples are advised to avoid displaying wealth through long vehicle processions and over-the-top flower arrangements. Wedding photos should be formal and adhere to the North Korean style, avoiding poses such as the groom lifting the bride or the couple clinking wine glasses.
The choice of attire for the bride and groom is also regulated. Brides are encouraged to wear traditional, colourful attire, while grooms can opt for Western suits. Clothing with visible foreign characters or brand logos is strongly discouraged. Additionally, wedding attendees are expected to minimise their absence from work, and young people are advised to attend weddings after their work hours.
Beyond the dress code and ceremony guidelines, the government also intervenes in other wedding-related practices. Newlyweds are expected to pay respects to the statue of the Supreme Leader, Kim Il-sung, with flowers and wedding photos taken at the statue. Certain dates, such as the birthdays of former leaders, are considered inappropriate for weddings. Karaoke is a common form of entertainment at weddings, with songs like "Urban Girl Comes to Get Married" and "Women are Flowers" being popular choices.
The government's intervention in weddings extends to the honeymoon phase as well. Unlike in South Korea, where newlyweds often go on holidays abroad for their honeymoon, North Koreans are expected to return to work immediately after the wedding. These interventions reflect the government's desire to shape societal norms, promote traditional values, and prevent the infiltration of South Korean cultural influences.
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Wedding gifts and traditions
Wedding traditions in North Korea have been influenced by the country's efforts to counter the influence of South Korea, as well as by traditional customs. North Korean weddings are expected to be humble and patriotic, with an emphasis on traditional attire. Wedding photos are also expected to be formal and in the North Korean style.
In North Korea, weddings are not just about the couple but about the joining of two families. One important tradition is the "hahm", where the groom's friends bring a box of jewels and gifts, such as jewellery, watches, cash, and clothing, to the bride's house before the wedding. The bride's family then offers a gift to the gift-givers before retrieving the box. Another tradition is the "pyebaek" or "paebaek", a post-wedding ceremony where the couple introduces themselves to their in-laws. During the ceremony, the couple enters, bows, and pours tea before receiving blessings from their parents.
Gift-giving is an important part of North Korean wedding traditions. Money, usually given in a white envelope, is the most common wedding gift, with the amount ranging from $30 to $200 depending on the guest's relationship with the couple. The money is meant to symbolise a good start for the new couple rather than a pile of debt. In addition to money, grooms traditionally give a wild goose to the bride's mother to symbolise his commitment to his new wife, as wild geese mate for life.
North Korean weddings also have some unique traditions and customs. For example, it is customary to have a live hen and rooster present at the ceremony, with dates and flowers in the hen's jaw and a red chilli in the rooster's beak. Newlyweds are also expected to bring flowers to pay their respects to a statue of the Supreme Leader Kim Il-sung immediately after their official ceremony, with wedding photos taken at the statue as well.
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Work and weddings
North Korea has implemented strict guidelines for weddings, which include restrictions on wedding attire and ceremonies. The guidelines aim to uphold traditional North Korean ideals and discourage displays of wealth and extravagance.
For the wedding attire, brides are discouraged from wearing white wedding dresses, veils, and large flowers in their hair or on their chests. Grooms are also advised against wearing sunglasses, and both the bride and groom should refrain from wearing clothing with visible foreign characters or brand logos. Instead, brides are encouraged to wear traditional, colourful attire, while grooms can wear Western suits.
In terms of the wedding ceremony, extravagant banquets, flower arrangements, and long vehicle processions are discouraged. Wedding photos should also be formal and avoid inappropriate behaviour, such as the groom lifting the bride above his waist, clinking wine glasses, or the bride lighting a cigarette for the groom. Young people attending weddings are advised to do so after work, minimising their absence from their jobs.
North Korean weddings often include unique traditions, such as paying respects to the leaders and the party by visiting monuments and bringing flowers to the statue of Supreme Leader Kim Il-sung. Live chickens are also typically present at the ceremony, with dates and flowers placed in the hen's jaws and red chilli in the rooster's beak. Karaoke is a popular form of entertainment, with guests singing North Korean pop hits and the newlyweds concluding the wedding with a duet.
While the guidelines aim to preserve North Korean traditions and values, they also reflect the government's control over various aspects of its citizens' lives, including their work and personal celebrations.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding dresses are not explicitly illegal in North Korea, but there are strict guidelines in place for what brides and grooms can wear. Wedding dresses that are deemed too extravagant or anti-socialist are prohibited. For example, large flowers worn on the bride's head, veils, and clothing with foreign letters or brand logos are not allowed.
North Korea is trying to counter the influence of South Korean culture, which is seen as a threat to the ideology that demands absolute loyalty to the ruling Kim dynasty.
The consequences of not adhering to the wedding dress guidelines are unclear. However, North Korea has a history of harsh punishments for cultural infractions, including the death penalty for watching or distributing South Korean entertainment.
Yes, North Korean wedding guidelines also discourage extravagant behaviour such as long vehicle processions, large flower arrangements, and fancy photo shoots. Wedding photos should be formal and avoid displaying behaviour that is not considered appropriate in North Korea, such as the bride and groom clinking wine glasses or the groom lifting the bride.
Weddings in North Korea are typically held in public places like wedding restaurants or hotels, rather than at home. They are usually held on Sundays and other public holidays. Karaoke is a common form of entertainment during the wedding celebrations, and guests often bring gifts that are useful for the home, such as rice cookers or money.
