Shocking Punishment for Watching Foreign TV in North Korea
throw caution to the wind: to act in a risky or reckless way
In North Korea, two teenagers were sent to prison for doing something many young people enjoy – watching TV shows. These 16-year-old boys were seen watching K-dramas, popular TV series from South Korea. The problem? South Korean entertainment, including these dramas, is strictly forbidden in North Korea.
In a video shared with the BBC, the boys were handcuffed before a large crowd in an outdoor stadium. They were sentenced to 12 years in prison. While the punishment was severe, it could have been much worse. Since 2020, watching or sharing South Korean entertainment can be punished with death.
This tough punishment shows that North Korea is worried about South Korean culture spreading. Nevertheless, some North Koreans are throwing caution to the wind to find a temporary TV escape from the hardships of their daily lives.
Sample sentences
1. Tom threw caution to the wind and tried skydiving for the first time.
2. After years of planning, she finally threw caution to the wind and quit her job to start her own business.
3. They knew it was risky, but they threw caution to the wind and climbed the mountain in the dark.
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North Korea: Rare footage shows teens sentenced to hard labour over K-drama