STRANGE Customs?
North Korea’s Unusual Tradition
North Korea is infamous for strict control and bizarre public rituals.
Among its strangest customs are mass “body checks” — regimented health inspections involving rows of young women in uniform,
standing silently for evaluation.
Behind the Viral Photo
A widely shared image shows hundreds of women lined up in a hall.
While it resembles a dance audition or dystopian film scene,
defectors and experts say it reflects real practices where students or job applicants undergo physical assessments for military,
labor, or propaganda roles.
Why Uniformity Matters
Analysts note the regime values physical appearance as a symbol of unity and loyalty.
In North Korea’s caste-like songbun system, image control is tied to ideological purity.
Those who fail to meet standards are excluded from elite opportunities.
More Than Appearance
These inspections aren’t beauty contests but a tool of social control,
reinforcing the regime’s power over individual bodies.
