Though this blog focuses on South Korea, for obvious reasons, it is hard to ignore our neighbor some fifty kilometers to the north. Although Kim Jung-un may be the sexiest mana alive, there just isn't enough news flowing from the regime to talk up North Korean sexiness or know what is going on in queer North Korea.
What we know about gay Korea is little. The official stance is as follows:
Due to tradition in Korean culture, it is not customary for individuals of any sexual orientation to engage in public displays of affection. As a country that has embraced science and rationalism, the DPRK recognizes that many individuals are born with homosexuality as a genetic trait and treats them with due respect. Homosexuals in the DPRK have never been subject to repression, as in many capitalist regimes around the world. However, North Koreans also place a lot of emphasis on social harmony and morals. Therefore, the DPRK rejects many characteristics of the popular gay culture in the West, which many perceive to embrace consumerism, classism and promiscuity.
However, living in a police state that emphasizes family, harmony, and conformity (ugh, that sounds kind of like ROK) probably means that in reality gays don't come out and participate in circuit parties (do they have dance clubs in Pyongyang?). In 2011, a lesbian couple was executed because of spreading Western propaganda/being corrupt. If having gay sex can be perceived as succumbing to Western immorality, I'd assume a lot of people with same-sex attractions would keep their privates in their pants. But as is true in every country around the world if you have money, I would imagine you can do whatever the hell you want. There are a handful of articles that can give us an idea, but if any readers have any other suggestions, please let me know.
GlobalGayz: Gay Life in North Korea
Haruki Eda: Outing North Korea: Necropornography and Homonationalism (Thesis)
Queerty: The Maybe Gay Son of Kim Jong Il Who Definitely Won't be North Korea's Next Leader
Seattle Gay News: Living in Silence: Gay North Korea
The Korea Times: North executes lesbians for being influenced by capitalism
The Marmot's Hole: No Gays in North Korea
Wikipedia: LGBT Rights in North Korea
