Can you be gay in north korea

A defector tells what it's like to be gay in North Korea

Jang Yeong-jin only heard the word "homosexual" for the first second when he was 37 years aged, and he had no concept of what it meant.

That was not rare in his native North Korea - homosexuality simply didn't exist there, he told CNN.

Jang was trapped in an arranged married, but never loved his wife. He lived with feelings of guilt and confusion.

When he went to a neurologist to talk about his feelings and concerns and find out what was incorrect with him, the doctor yelled at him and he ran from the office.

It was only when he was reading a magazine in a doctor's surgery in 1998, after he defected to South Korea, that Jang saw an article about homosexuality.

Suddenly everything became clear to him.

Jang Yeong-jin once went to see a neurologist in North Korea to consider his feelings, but was yelled at. Source: CNN

"That was the first period I knew what homosexuality was and I was really pleased," he said in the CNN interview.

"I was 37 years old by that time and thought I would be living alone for my entire life after disappearing North Korea since I could n

Ask A North Korean

Are there lgbtq+ people in North Korea?

And if so, what happens to them when other people find out?

Je Son LeeJanuary 29, 2015

NK News/Catherine Salkeld

Every week we demand a North Korean your questions, giving you the chance to learn more about the nation we know so little about.

This week Michael from Phnom Penh asks:

Every week we ask a North Korean your questions, giving you the chance to study more about the country we know so little about.

This week Michael from Phnom Penh asks:

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Young Pioneer Tours

Can LGBT people travel to North Korea? Contrary to popular conviction, homosexuality is not against the law in North Korea, and people from the LGBT community are more than welcome to travel here – in fact, openly gay tour guides have frequently led tours here without issue.

That being said, 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, and this is something that should be respected by visitors to the country at all times.

Can I share a room with my queer partner in North Korea?

Tourists visiting North Korea remain at twin share rooms, so both same and mixed-sex couples sharing a room raises no eyebrows. However, twin-shares are very much the norm and double beds do not come as standard, though can be requested for extra charge.

Are there gays in North Korea? Is there a gay scene in North Korea?

Whilst homosexuality is not illegal in the country, there is no gay scene to speak of, and you certainly will not encounter openly gay Koreans in the DPRK. It is also important to be respectful on their utmost conservat

Evergreen

Being gay in the DPRK

Overview suggests many North Koreans acquire about being same-sex attracted only upon departure from DPRK

Oliver HothamNovember 13, 2013

Eric Lafforgue

Ji Min, like nearly all other youthful North Korean men, took part in regular compulsory military training. Once a year, professionals from the cities such as him were drafted and sent off to execute military service for about two weeks.

Working with Ji Min was another new man of marriageable age, who the army had given the task of distributing food, rations and other necessities to the soldiers – a career which could create one quite accepted with your fellow soldiers. Furthermore, on the job they were exposed to many unmarried girls, and "some of them were really pretty," Ji Min recalled.

Ji Min, appreciate nearly all other young North Korean men, took part in regular compulsory military training. Once a year, professionals from the cities such as him were drafted and sent off to do military service for about two weeks.

Working with Ji Min was another young man of marriageable age, who the army had given the task of distributing meal, rations and other necessities to the soldiers – a job which could mak