The Reason Behind North Korea’s Serious Moral Disorder Involving Female Attendants in Hot Springs

In a hot spring facility near the capital, Pyongyang, in the city of Nampo, officials from the Workers’ Party of Korea engaged in inappropriate behavior with female attendants.

North Korea-focused media outlet Daily NK reported on February 13 that the authorities had deemed the acts of hospitality a serious criminal incident. Not only the party officials and female attendants involved but also the staff of the hot spring and the restaurant would face severe punishment.

“The incident occurred in late January this year. A completion ceremony for an industrial facility was held in Nampo, bringing together about 40 officials from the Workers’ Party of Korea and local leaders for a celebratory feast. The party escalated with alcohol and dancing, leading to an inappropriate atmosphere. It’s said that the officials took female attendants into the hot springs, where they engaged in inappropriate behavior, such as playing in the water,” said a reporter from a South Korean newspaper.

“This is an unforgivable incident!”

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un became furious over this incident involving the female attendants’ hospitality.

“At the expanded Secretariat meeting of the Central Committee held on January 27, he harshly reprimanded the officials involved in the hospitality, calling it a serious moral disorder offense and an unforgivable incident! It is rare for Kim Jong-un to express his anger publicly.

Not only the officials, but also the female attendants, the hot spring staff, and the restaurant staff who served alcohol are expected to be dismissed and receive ideological education. At the meeting on the 27th, it was also decided that 10 police officials would be publicly executed for another incident involving violence against farmers. Severe punishment may also be imposed for the hospitality incident at the hot springs,” said the same source.

In North Korea, working at hot springs or restaurants is considered a high-status job. Not only do applicants need to come from good family backgrounds, but a bribe of $200 to $300 (around 30,800 to 46,300 yen) is reportedly required to secure the position. Dissatisfaction is growing among parents who paid large bribes to get their daughters these jobs.

Ko Yong-hui, editor-in-chief of Daily NK Japan, explains:

“While it is an incident that shouldn’t be tolerated, even within North Korea there are voices saying that the severe punishment is too harsh. Some feel sympathy for the women who are also being punished severely… North Korea is currently promoting the ’20×10 Policy for Regional Development,’ which designates 20 cities and aims to improve living standards within 10 years as part of regional revitalization. Kim Jong-un wants to show his seriousness. I believe the people targeted for harsh punishment in this incident are intended to serve as a warning example.”

It seems that Kim Jong-un is trying to boost the sluggish regional economy by tightening control over those involved.