In a recent clampdown on personal appearance, North Korean authorities have instituted new fashion regulations targeting specific hairstyles and clothing styles. The ruling reportedly focuses on the so-called “rooster hairstyle” and sheer garments, which have been associated with high-profile figures such as Kim Jong-un’s daughter, Kim Ju-ae.
The state-run campaign, communicated through a video lecture to local residents, denounces the “rooster hairstyle” and translucent clothing as unacceptable. According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), the hairstyle—characterized by hair styled half-up and half-down, with bangs partially covering one eye—has been deemed a symbol of non-conformity. This style, popularized by former North Korean singer Hyon Song-wol and currently sported by Kim Jong-un’s wife Ri Sol-ju and their daughter Ju-ae, is now explicitly prohibited.
In addition, clothing that features sheer fabrics or exposes the arms has come under scrutiny. The regime views these fashion choices as “anti-socialist phenomena” that undermine societal norms and pose a threat to the state’s ideological purity. The recent crackdown aims to eliminate these “inappropriate” trends, which are reportedly prevalent among young women in Pyongyang.
Individuals who violate these new regulations face severe penalties, including up to six months of hard labor or re-education in prison. The authorities have also threatened to forcibly alter any non-compliant hairstyles.
The restrictions have heightened public interest in Kim Ju-ae’s forthcoming public appearances and her fashion choices, with speculation growing over whether additional styles might be banned. This move is part of a broader effort by the North Korean government to enforce strict adherence to its ideological and cultural standards.
The enforcement of these new fashion rules reflects the regime’s ongoing efforts to control personal expression and maintain ideological conformity. Observers and South Korean media, such as YTN, are closely monitoring the situation for further developments.