N. Korea tells citizens to keep their hair tidy

By Kim Hyun
SEOUL, Nov. 19 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has ordered men not to grow their hair
long and women to keep their hair tied up, according to a recent edition of the
country's party newspaper, in what appears to be an attempt to filter out foreign
influences.
In an article titled "Tidy Up Your Hair Korean Style," Saturday's edition of the
Rodong Sinmun, published by the Workers' Party, presents an officially
recommended hair code for its citizens that it says is "very important" for
maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The paper was acquired by Yonhap on Thursday.
"To keep your hair tidy and simple, as befits the socialist lifestyle and the
contemporary sense of beauty, is a very important matter for setting the ethos of
a sound lifestyle in the country," the paper said.
"A short hair cut is the basic style for men," it said, adding that trimmed hair
makes men look "elegant, neat, ambitious and passionate."
"For women to have their hair down and mussed up" does not suit the "people of
the revolutionary age," the paper said.
The paper also recommended short hair or plaited hair for female students, permed
or tied hair for middle-aged women and a traditional bun style for elderly women.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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