Kim Ju-ae (right), who has the official title of Morning Star of Korea, is touted to be on the succession track to become Pyongyang’s fourth-generation leader. - AP
SINGAPORE: If you have been tying your long hair in a half-up half-down fashion or have clothes with sleeves made from sheer fabric that show off your arms, you might want to consider both a wardrobe change and a new hairstyle.
That is if you live in North Korea, where the authorities have reportedly cracked down on a specific hairdo and clothes seemingly favoured by Kim Ju-ae, daughter and prospective heiress of leader Kim Jong-un.
The authorities in the reclusive state organised a video lecture for local residents, telling people that the “rooster hairstyle” and “clothes revealing flesh” were banned, US-funded news service Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on Aug 15.
The rooster, or half-up half-down, hairdo features some hair tied at the crown of the head, while the remaining hair falls freely with bangs covering the forehead and reaching just above one eye, a trend popularised by former North Korean songstress and aide to Kim, Hyon Song-wol.
Kim’s wife, Ri Sol-Ju, and their daughter, Ju Ae, wear their hair similarly.
Translucent clothes that reveal flesh and expose the wearer’s arms have also drawn the authorities’ ire.
Both are seemingly banal fashion choices but were flagged as “anti-socialist phenomena that have a negative impact on society” and elements that need to be “eradicated”.
Those found to fall foul of the rules could face up to six months of hard labour or ideological re-education in prison. The offending hairstyle will also be cut.
Blouses with see-through sleeves have previously been seen worn by Ju Ae as recently as at a public event on May 14.
The girl, believed to be aged between 10 and 12, was described by observers as having a mature appearance and exuding the power of one who can freely choose and wear the clothes she wants.
The two fashion choices were reportedly in vogue among young women in Pyongyang, with the errant examples in the video lecture by the authorities depicting women caught in the capital city, RFA reported.
Children in the upper echelon of North Korean society were also previously reported to be wearing similar clothes with sheer sleeves. Images broadcast by Korean Central News Agency on May 30 show some children at a prestigious Pyongyang daycare centre wearing these clothes, possibly influenced by Ju Ae’s choices.
RFA cited two sources from North Korea’s northern North Hamgyong and western North Pyongan provinces who revealed details on the authorities’ lecture video.
This latest crackdown was met with rare dissent by local residents amid an “atmosphere of dissatisfaction” at the lecture, according to the sources.
Some pointed out the double standards being applied, asking why they would be deemed anti-establishment if Kim’s daughter has been wearing them.
Other residents said North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party was not providing them with clothes, yet was regarding the clothes they made themselves as anti-socialist, treating people as machines.
The crackdown has placed heightened anticipation on Ju Ae’s next public appearance and her sartorial choices, reported South Korean broadcaster YTN, with some observers waiting to see if more types of fashion will be banned.
This is not the first time emulating Ju Ae has been prohibited. Parents of children sharing her name were hauled up by the authorities in February 2023 to choose a new name for their kids.
Ju Ae, who has the official title of Morning Star of Korea, is touted to be on the succession track to become Pyongyang’s fourth-generation leader, although South Korea’s former national intelligence director said on July 30 that she may be a “smokescreen” for her brother instead. - The Straits Times/ANN
