Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

Executed for Fortune-Telling? North Korea’s Extreme Punishments—Treated as a Crime Like Drugs and Prostitution

wikitree Views  

Shutterstock

North Korea has escalated tensions by blowing up sections of inter-Korean roads on the Gyeongui Line and the Donghae Line, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. The detonation occurred on Tuesday on the northern side of the Military Demarcation Line, leading the South Korean military to heighten its surveillance and defense measures.

Yonhap News Agency

Amid the growing conflict, an unexpected trend is emerging in North Korea—fortune-telling is gaining popularity. Despite being referred to as “fortune-tellers” or “shamans” instead of traditional fortune-tellers, these practitioners play a significant role in offering comfort and guidance to North Koreans. Citizens seek out these figures for answers to questions about their future, family matters, travel, economic concerns, or even the potential promotion of officials.

In a country where access to information is tightly controlled, people turn to fortune-tellers for emotional relief and reassurance. However, these practices are officially banned. Fortune-telling, along with drug trafficking, prostitution, gambling, and smuggling, is considered a violation of socialist communal living and can result in severe punishment. In fact, fortune-telling is so heavily policed that in 2018, three women in Yanggang Province were reportedly executed by firing squad for practicing shamanism.

Despite these harsh penalties, the rise of fortune-telling in North Korea highlights the public’s desire for solace and certainty in an increasingly uncertain political climate.

wikitree
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[DEBATE] Latest Stories

  • China Hits Back at Hollywood as Trade War With Trump Heats Up
  • Model 3's Struggles: 1 in 4 Fail Safety Inspections in Denmark and Germany
  • Xiaomi’s Success vs. Apple’s Failure: What’s the Difference?
  • Trump Defends Tesla, Promises Action Against Violent Attacks
  • Ford's Bold Move: Will the Mustang Evolve into a Sedan with the Mach 4 Name?
  • Revival of the Estima? Toyota’s Sienna May Re-enter Japan's Market

You May Also Like

  • 1
    ZEISS's Future in China: Martin Fischer Steps Up as President and CEO

    LATEST 

  • 2
    Samsung's Lee Jae-yong Cleared of Charges, Ready to Revolutionize AI Landscape

    LATEST 

  • 3
    President Lee Promises Justice: New Team to Investigate Itaewon Tragedy

    LATEST 

  • 4
    Avant-Garde Filmmaker Robert Beavers Set to Dazzle Seoul with Poetic Cinema

    LATEST 

  • 5
    GS Group Bets Big on AI to Revitalize Its Business Strategy

    LATEST 

Popular Now

  • 1
    K-Pop Idol Turned Actor: Ahn Hyo-seop Dives into the Ordinary with 'Omniscient Reader'

    LATEST 

  • 2
    Celebrating Democracy: South Korea's Constitution Day May Become a Public Holiday Again!

    LATEST 

  • 3
    The IVF Dilemma: Ethics and Embryos in South Korea's Baby Crisis

    LATEST 

  • 4
    AI at the Helm: New Minister Bae Kyung-hoon Outlines Plans for National Transformation

    LATEST 

  • 5
    No China Meeting Before Trump: South Korea's Diplomatic Stance Explained

    LATEST 

Must-Reads

  • 1
    ZEISS's Future in China: Martin Fischer Steps Up as President and CEO

    LATEST 

  • 2
    Samsung's Lee Jae-yong Cleared of Charges, Ready to Revolutionize AI Landscape

    LATEST 

  • 3
    President Lee Promises Justice: New Team to Investigate Itaewon Tragedy

    LATEST 

  • 4
    Avant-Garde Filmmaker Robert Beavers Set to Dazzle Seoul with Poetic Cinema

    LATEST 

  • 5
    GS Group Bets Big on AI to Revitalize Its Business Strategy

    LATEST 

Popular Now

  • 1
    K-Pop Idol Turned Actor: Ahn Hyo-seop Dives into the Ordinary with 'Omniscient Reader'

    LATEST 

  • 2
    Celebrating Democracy: South Korea's Constitution Day May Become a Public Holiday Again!

    LATEST 

  • 3
    The IVF Dilemma: Ethics and Embryos in South Korea's Baby Crisis

    LATEST 

  • 4
    AI at the Helm: New Minister Bae Kyung-hoon Outlines Plans for National Transformation

    LATEST 

  • 5
    No China Meeting Before Trump: South Korea's Diplomatic Stance Explained

    LATEST 

Share it on...