Why are choco pies banned? The surprising reasons behind the restrictions
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5 min read
In 2014, reports surfaced that the North Korean government had ordered South Korean companies to stop distributing Choco Pies to North Korean workers, a move that made international headlines. This seemingly trivial confectionery item, a chocolate-coated marshmallow snack, has a surprisingly complex and politically charged history that led to it becoming a symbol of capitalism and prosperity in the isolated country. Understanding why are Choco Pies banned requires an examination of the social, economic, and political dynamics of the Korean peninsula.