North Korea
North Korea's 1950 Criminal Code (amended 2009) does not explicitly criminalize same-sex relations, but authorities apply articles 193 and 262 on 'decadent' culture and 'obscene' activities to prosecute LGBTQI+ people. A 2023 South Korean Ministry of Unification report documented the secret execution of a detainee for homosexuality in 2014. The Family Law requires marriage between one man and one woman. We recommend consulting official sources before planning any travel.
Legal framework · North Korea
LGBT
identity
Indirect criminalization · 'decadent' culture
1950 Criminal Code (amended 2009) does not explicitly criminalize, but Arts. 193 and 262 on 'decadence' and 'obscenity' applied to LGBTQI+ people · execution documented in 2014
Partnership
recognition
Not recognized
Family Law requires marriage between one man and one woman · no same-sex marriage, civil union or domestic partnership
Official sources
check before traveling to North Korea
Foreign affairs ministries publish updated travel advisories. For destinations with restrictive legal frameworks we recommend consulting several official sources before planning.