By John Q. Hosedrinker North Korea has banned the sale of budae-jjigae and tteokbokki in restaurants nationwide due to their South Korean origins, reflecting a broader crackdown on perceived South Korean cultural influence. These dishes, popular in the South since the Korean War, only recently appeared in the North via restaurants with Chinese partnerships. The ban, enforced by city police and market officials, has faced some resident opposition, with some arguing that the dishes are also enjoyed by ethnic Koreans in China and lack inherent ideological significance. Despite the ban, other South Korean cultural elements continue to be smuggled into the country.
Read the original article here
North Korea has banned two popular dishes, *budae-jjigae* and *tteokbokki*, from being sold in restaurants because of their South Korean origins. This ban, reportedly enforced nationwide, highlights Pyongyang’s ongoing efforts to suppress the perceived “invasion” of South Korean culture, deemed decadent and capitalist. The crackdown extends beyond restaurants; police are actively investigating restaurant managers and preventing sales in department store food courts. This isn’t merely a local issue; the prohibition applies to all restaurant networks and market stalls, including those in Pyongyang itself.
The ban’s impact is significant, especially considering the limited dining options available to most North Koreans. While some might imagine widespread access to restaurants, the reality is that for a vast majority, the possibility of eating out is a luxury, not a regular occurrence. Even for those few who could frequent restaurants, the choice is dramatically limited. The irony is stark: a country grappling with food shortages is actively restricting the availability of even popular dishes.
The two banned dishes, while now forbidden, have become increasingly popular in North Korea since their introduction in 2017. Their arrival, reportedly via restaurants affiliated with Chinese companies, suggests a level of cultural exchange that the North Korean government actively seeks to control. The timing of the ban suggests a tightening of restrictions, possibly in response to the growing popularity of South Korean culture in general. This popularity isn’t just limited to food; it extends to movies, TV shows, fashion, slang, and even dance moves – all of which are smuggled into the country via thumb drives and watched in secrecy.
This attempt to curb cultural influence is not new. North Korea already has in place a law called the Rejection of Reactionary Thought and Culture Act, aimed at preventing the spread of South Korean media. The ban on these two dishes marks a significant escalation, suggesting an intensified effort to control what its citizens consume, both literally and figuratively. The very existence of a ban highlights the regime’s vulnerability to seemingly harmless cultural exchanges.
The absurdity of the situation is almost comical. It seems almost petty to ban food items simply because of their origin. One might wonder if the government considered renaming the dishes, or perhaps claiming North Korean origins. This would follow a historical pattern of claiming inventions as their own, a tactic that has previously been used to claim ownership of inventions originating from other countries. The lack of a coherent alternative explanation only strengthens the impression of insecurity.
However, the seriousness of the situation cannot be overlooked. The heavy-handed enforcement, including the threat of closure for any restaurant caught secretly selling these dishes, demonstrates the regime’s determination to control information and maintain its rigid ideological stance. This clampdown, especially in a country already facing significant food challenges, raises serious questions about the regime’s priorities and long-term stability. It underscores the regime’s deep-seated fear of external influences and its willingness to use oppressive tactics to maintain control.
The entire situation serves as a stark reminder of the profound isolation and control within North Korea. The ban on these dishes, while seemingly trivial on the surface, reveals a deeper struggle for cultural dominance and the lengths to which the government will go to maintain its grip on power. The persistence of the cultural exchange, despite the strict controls, further highlights the inherent limitations of such oppressive measures in the long run. The harder the regime clamps down, the more likely the cracks are to appear. The ongoing struggle to suppress South Korean influence in North Korea demonstrates the power of cultural exchange and its resistance to suppression.