Kim’s Clap-ocracy: North Korea’s Latest Crackdown on Audience Behavior

North Korea has introduced rules and orders that visitors must adhere to when using cultural facilities, stating that the level of spectators’ culture reflects the level of civilization.

Rodong Sinmun reported on the 4th, “The standard of a culture is an important measure to evaluate the degree of civilization of a society. The cultural level of a person is manifested in various aspects of life, especially at performances.”

Spectators who see a performance should be able to immerse themselves in that world, breathe with the performers, and know when to react.

“Clapping is a basic moral value with no specific rule when to perform, such as when the show starts or ends, or when the theme changes or at important points but must be observed during a performance.”

“Any spectator can express the feelings naturally arising by clapping along with the performing artist and can express their emotions by enthusiastically waving their hands, singing along to the song in their heart, or lightly shaking their body to the rhythm,” it added.

“The art performances unfolding on stage are all the fruits of painstaking efforts by artists. Spectators should be able to appreciate the sweat and passion of the artists, and even if the actors make mistakes, they should send more enthusiastic applause,” it recommended.

It was stated that spectators should possess knowledge about art and be emotionally rich owners to elevate the level of culture.

This report by Rodong Sinmun appears to be aimed at inducing a change in the rigid demeanor of residents who are constantly under surveillance in performance venues.