Islam is effectively banned in North Korea, with harsh restrictions on religion. Learn how this atheist regime enforces its strict policies on faith.
North Korea
Islam Effectively Banned in North Korea Under Strict Regime
In North Korea, practicing Islam or discussing religion can lead to severe penalties, including death.
This isolated, authoritarian nation, ruled by Kim Jong-un, is officially atheist and imposes stringent restrictions on religious practices to maintain social order.
With a population of 2.6 crore, North Korea permits only state-sanctioned ideologies like Korean shamanism and Chongryonism, while religions like Buddhism and Christianity exist in minimal numbers under strict surveillance.
Reports indicate there are approximately 3,000 Muslims in North Korea, but they lack dedicated mosques.
The only known mosque is within the Iranian Embassy in Pyongyang, serving the Iranian community due to diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The government strictly bans the practice of foreign religions, considering them potential threats to its social harmony and national security.
Under the guise of communism, North Korea operates as a dictatorship with tight controls over citizens’ lives.
Personal freedoms are severely restricted, from internet access to mobile phone usage, and any opposition to the regime can result in the death penalty.
These policies effectively make practicing Islam or any unapproved faith nearly impossible.
Conclusion
North Korea’s stringent restrictions on religion underscore the regime’s control over its citizens.
For the small Muslim population, practicing their faith remains a hidden struggle.
This reflects the broader human rights challenges faced in this closed-off nation, where religious freedom and personal liberty are non-existent.