**Illegal Breast Augmentation Spreads in Pyongyang, Prompting Urgent Crackdown by Authorities**
Illegal breast augmentation procedures are spreading like wildfire among young women in Pyongyang, leading to an increase in related complications.
In response, North Korean authorities have launched an urgent crackdown, as reported by the North Korea-focused media outlet Daily NK on the 25th.
In an interview with Daily NK, a source from Pyongyang stated, "Recently, the demand for breast augmentation procedures among women has surged, resulting in an increase in complications from illegal medical practices. Consequently, on the morning of the 13th, an urgent directive for social safety was issued to the Ministry of Public Security in Pyongyang."
The Ministry of Public Security criticized the situation in the directive, stating, "Women in the socialist system are indulging in all sorts of lazy behavior influenced by bourgeois ideas. Having tolerated acts such as double eyelid surgery and eyebrow tattoos until now, it has escalated to a completely decayed capitalist practice like breast augmentation."
**The Trend of Breast Augmentation and the Risks of Illegal Procedures**
Among women in their 20s and 30s living in the central areas of Pyongyang, a preference for a curvaceous figure is reportedly driving the popularity of breast augmentation. However, breast enhancement procedures are classified as "anti-socialist acts" in North Korea, making them unavailable in official medical institutions.
Despite these restrictions, plastic surgeons are secretly performing illegal procedures in private homes using silicone materials smuggled in from China, posing serious risks of infectious diseases and other complications.
In fact, earlier this month, a woman in her early 30s experienced severe complications after undergoing breast augmentation twice, leading to the arrest of the unauthorized physician by the district's Ministry of Public Security.
Investigations revealed that the physician, a dental specialist, performed illegal breast augmentations for financial gain despite not being specialized in surgery.
**Rigorous Crackdown Measures by Authorities**
The Ministry of Public Security considers the illegal breast augmentation and its resulting complications in Pyongyang a serious issue, prompting the issuance of urgent directives. Accordingly, the Ministry of Public Security plans to organize special task forces to carry out concentrated crackdowns under the pretext of "eradicating anti-socialist activities" by the end of September.
The city’s Ministry of Public Security has proposed two specific approaches for enforcement.
First, operatives will disguise themselves as individuals seeking breast augmentation and infiltrate locations where illegal medical practices are occurring. Second, they will apprehend women with prominent breasts for questioning or physical examination.
The source cautioned, "Task forces have already been deployed in the central areas of Pyongyang and are operating in civilian clothing. Detected women or individual physicians could face criminal penalties, including labor training camps, on charges of anti-socialism."
Image source: Reference images for understanding of the article / gettyimagesbank, Reference images for understanding of the article / News1
